Minus the Saleen steering...
Minus the Saleen steering wheel and aluminum kick panels, the interior of Jimmy Threes' car is how it was put together at the Ford plant. Thanks to the car's routine low-12- to high-11-second times, a rollbar isn't needed--yet.
While its track cleats consist...
While its track cleats consist of the Bogarts and drag tires, when cruising on the street, Jim's Mustang changes into its dancing shoes--a set of chrome 20-inch Saleen wheels wrapped in Pirelli rubber.
Although the bodywork from...
Although the bodywork from Saleen is aftermarket equipment, the paint crew at the Michigan plant found enough time to match the components to the car's factory hue, Screaming Yellow. Even at midnight, you can't miss this car.
Jimmy Threes does his own...
Jimmy Threes does his own version of the tarantella, including leaving long, black marks on the asphalt and smoke billowing from the rear hides.
All that extra would be just for show if there were no fuel and fire. The fuel system remains stock, from the pump all the way to the regulator and factory 24-pound injectors. As for the ignition, the stock coil packs still reside, though the computer was reprogrammed with a custom tune courtesy of dad Jim. The tune was uploaded via an SCT XCalibrator2 tuner, and a set of Autolite HT1 plugs now spark things in the combustion chambers. Whisking away the residue of each combustion event is a pair of JDM/Kooks headers, which dump into an x pipe. Things are quieted down by the combined efforts of a pair of MagnaFlow mufflers and a complete 2-1/2-inch Saleen exhaust system. A set of Saleen underdrive pulleys also frees up some cheap horsepower.
Jim then moved to the drivetrain, first replacing the stock two-piece driveshaft with a single-piece aluminum 'shaft. An eight-bolt flywheel is mated to a TCI converter, and all of the stroker's power is sent to the ground via a fortified 8.8-inch rear that showcases 4.56 gears, 31-spline axles, a Detroit Truetrac, and an LPW rearend girdle. A host of aftermarket front and rear suspension components ensure that all the ponies getting to the asphalt are used. A pair of Saleen springs replace the stock GT coils, and a sway bar delete kit from BMR eliminates that item from the front end. Out back, a pair of QA1 adjustable shocks work with a duo of Saleen springs and Metco ICM brackets to keep the hind end of the Pony planted upon launch.
For cruising on the street, the Mustang is graced with a set of 20x9-inch front and 20x10 rear chrome Saleen rims shod in Pirelli shoes, sized 275/35/20 forward and 275/40/20 aft. When it's time to do battle on the strip, the dress shoes come off and the track cleats go on. The high-performance digs consist of 15-inch Bogart GT rims on all four corners, with the fronts surrounded with skinnies and the rears wrapped in Mickey Thompson 275/60/15 drag radials.
While the mechanical portion of the car is somewhat unnoticeable, the outward appearance of D'Amore's Mustang couldn't be missed from day one. For starters, the car rolled out of the dealership dressed in Screaming Yellow. The retina-burning hue elicits numerous glances, so it was only natural for Jim to throw on some body components to enhance the sex appeal. After seeing his dad turn a customer's car from a basic Windveil Blue GT to a faux-Saleen, Jim decided to do the same with his, only in yellow. The Saleen front and rear fascia, as well as the side skirts, rear spoiler, and trunk lid, were all painted the car's yellow color by Saleen at its Michigan plant. Once the parts got to JDM's doorstep, they were carefully installed. The Stang was now dressed in full Saleen Extreme regalia. Inside, the stock black interior was kept, though the addition of a Saleen steering wheel gives the car a bit more flavor.
"I love the fact that the car is my everyday driver, yet I can swap the rolling stock around, go to the track, and beat up on the supercharged cars," Jim says. The claim is backed up with unquestionable validation. A routine competitor in the Fun Ford Weekend Street Stang class, Jimmy Threes racked up a class win in Belle Rose, Louisiana--as well as in Norwalk, Ohio, and Ennis, Texas--knocked down a best lap of 11.51 seconds at 115 mph, and still finds time to pick up the ladies when he gets off of work.
"The car still rides nice, even though some of the handling and ride-quality parts have been replaced or removed," Jim says. "At the track, the car hardly ever has traction issues. The street manners of the car are great, as long as I keep it under 75 mph. Above that, with the 4.56s, the car revs over 3,000 rpm."
Honestly, though, Jimmy Threes didn't build the car for its civilized manner. He wanted an enjoyable and lightning-quick daily driver. After all, that's amore. Now, let's dance!