We've all heard the saying about having your cake and wanting to eat it, too. Of course, this can mean different things to different people. Some want to paint two or three colors on the flanks of their Mustang, while others want neck-snapping performance with through-the-dashboard braking. Then there are those who want a killer wheel-and-tire combo combined with an in-the-weeds stance.
Most of us have the means and the patience to combine only a few of those wants and wishes. But when it came time for MBRP Inc. to prepare a newly acquired Mustang GT in 2005 for the '06 SEMA show, the company chose to have its proverbial cake and eat it, too, The crew wanted killer power, awesome braking, an in-your-face attitude, and looks that could rival a supermodel. The result is a wild, two-tone terror guaranteed to make the competition stop, drop, and roll over in mercy.
Underneath the Shaker hoodscoop...
Underneath the Shaker hoodscoop and custom engine cover lies a bone-stock Three-Valve 4.6L powerplant. Not a seal has been broken on the mod motor.
Bought brand-spanking-new, the S197 was promptly off-loaded into the Ontario, Canada-based shop for a remake. Since MBRP is an exhaust company, it was only natural that the sound of the car would be improved upon and tested by having some power thrown at the stock 4.6L Three-Valve engine. Not a seal was broken on the modular engine, leaving the additional ponies to come from a combination of boost and juice. The forced induction setup is courtesy of ProCharger, which supplied one of its P1SC centrifugal supercharger kits. The blower stuffs in 9 psi of boost that's chilled by a three-core intercooler. When boost alone isn't enough to put measurable distance between the back bumper and the competition, a Nitrous Express single-stage wet kit sprays in a 150 shot of laughing gas whenever the need arises. Shuffling out the remnants of each combustion event is a full-on MBRP T304 polished, stainless steel dual exhaust system that offers a muscular, authoritative tone.
Splitting up the contrasting...
Splitting up the contrasting hues is some awesome airbrush work. The sides of the car feature a barbed-flame design, while along the rear spoiler, airbrushed skulls give the tail end of the Stang a deadly look.
With power increasing enough to smoke the hides at will-but neither the clutch, transmission, nor rearend-the drivetrain was left as Ford designed it. The stock five-speed transmission is still rowed via the stock shifter, and the 8.8-inch rear remains untouched as well. Human hands did touch some of the cars underpinnings, however. The stock springs were swapped out for a set of Eibachs that hunkered down both the bow and the stern. For stopping power, the factory setup was ditched in favor of Stainless Steel Brakes Corporation Tri-Power binders that locate three-piston calipers and Turbo-slotted rotors on all four corners. The calipers were even shot in blue, which gives you an indication of things to come in terms of the visual effects of the Pony.
With a larger brake package and impending paint scheme guaranteed to wow the masses, a properly sized model of wheels and tires is a must. Send in Weld Wheels, which forked over a set of stunning Tech Star rims. The front shoes are sized 19x9, while the rears measure out to be 20x10.5. Wrapped up in Dunlop Sport Maxx SP 245/35/ZR19 front and 275/35/ZR20 rear hoops, the slightly raked stance adds even more attitude to the way the car sits.
With the mechanical portion of things taken care of, it was time to make way for the car's appearance. Those who would see it at the SEMA show and beyond would be on the outside looking in, so let's start with the Mustang's body. Terry DeLong of ProGlass was contacted to create the one-off body parts, and did he deliver. The car was stripped down to the primer, and the custom chin spoiler, three-piece rear spoiler, and Shaker hood with a carbon-fiber inlay were laid on. DeLong went so far as to create a custom engine cover that stays with the powerplant and the scoop each time the hood is lifted.