In addition to going for power, Craig also wanted the car to have that killer stance and slot-car-like handling ability. To accomplish that task, the front and rear suspension were overhauled. BMR Fabrication upper and lower tubular control arms mate with Koni single adjustable shocks, Eibach lowering springs, and a BMR sway bar to get the front end down and handling right. Saving a good chunk of weight off of the nose is the BMR K-member that replaces the heavy factory piece. Out back, Eibach springs, a set of BMR tubular upper and lower control arms, and a sway bar of the same manufacturer allow the power to be transferred to the ground effici-ently. With the lowered stance of the Mustang, the stock wheels had to hit the road, and that is exactly what Craig had them do. Replacing the factory shoes are Blingz chrome rims, sized 20x8.5 front and 20x10 rear. Wrapped around the shiny new kicks are Nitto 555 meats, sized appropriately for the front and back at 255/35/ZR20 and 275/35ZR20, respectively. If you take a peek behind the spokes of the front wheels, you'll see a set of Baer stoppers. The four-piston calipers clamp down on 14-inch cross-drilled rotors to haul the Pony down after each 12.48-second, 118 mph pass.
Craig left the Three-Valve...
Craig left the Three-Valve powerplant alone, instead going for a power increase via a Vortech S-Trim blower stuffing in an adequate, yet reliable, 10 pounds of boost.
With Craig absolutely head over heels in love with the exterior appointments of his yellow Mustang, it can be expected that only minor changes were made. A pair of black Shelby-style stripes run from the front of the car to the back. Inside the Mustang is a different story, however. A set of Auto Meter gauges were put in to allow Craig to monitor the blown powerplant, while the look of the center console stack was enhanced further with a carbon-fiber inlay, a push-button starting system, and the addition of billet HVAC knobs. Craig didn't want all of the Mustang's power to come out of the tailpipes, though, so he had a custom stereo system installed, starting with the removal of the rear seat and its replacement with a custom-made subwoofer and amplifier enclosure. Once the box was in and finished to match the rest of the interior, a pair of 12-inch subwoofers and MB Quart amps were installed and wired. Complemented by a Pioneer touch-screen head unit, this Mustang thumps whether the engine is running or not.
"With the BMR suspension, the car works flawlessly," Craig says. "I love the fact that it has the retro look and is really easy to modify. But while I love how the car is now, I'm always looking for different ways to improve it."
One thing that won't change is the muscular tone of the car. Chalk it up to a modern-day version of the rebel yell.
The stock flavor is still...
The stock flavor is still evident in the interior, though a set of Auto Meter gauges, a couple of billet HVAC knobs, and a carbon-fiber center stack inlay throw some spice to the cabin.
The thundering exhaust isn't...
The thundering exhaust isn't the only music Craig listens to when cruising in his pride and joy. A pair of subwoofers and amps replace the back seat, while a Pioneer head unit makes sure the tunes are heard loud and clear.
After falling in love with...
After falling in love with the S197 body style the first time he saw it, Craig made sure to get his '05 Mustang GT in the brightest color available.