Performance-enhancing modifications are nothing new. As long as cars have been around, people have been finding ways to improve their capabilities. As the Mustang aftermarket comes up with new parts on a daily basis, the amount of changes that can be made on a late-model Mustang seems to be limitless.
SCT, one of the biggest names in custom-tuning software, knows what it takes to make big power on the street and at the track. Lee Wheeler of Layton, Utah, is an SCT customer and the recent winner of a contest put on by SCT and Muscle Mustangs & Fast Fords. SCT put out an open call for its customers to show off their rides and what SCT software is capable of. Out of thousands of entries, Lee came out on top.
Lee Wheeler is the proud owner of this slick '05 Mustang GT. In the spring of 2008, Lee went looking for an S197 and found it on eBay. Although the car was on the opposite side of the country, he knew it was exactly what he wanted. "I bid on an Eleanor Mustang located in Philadelphia," Lee explains. "Unfortunately I was outbid at the last moment. So I proceeded to look in the local classifieds. I immediately found another Mustang with a Cervini's Eleanor bodykit and bought her the next day."
The Eleanor body kit from...
The Eleanor body kit from Cervini's adds to the classic retro look of this slick S197; the Super Snake stripes enhance the already aggressive appearance.
When it came time to make this Pony his own, Lee added many of the usual bolt-ons, including an XCalibrator 2 from SCT. This helped him gain the maximum increase in performance from the Shelby GT500 throttle-body, BBK ceramic-coated headers, C&L cold-air intake, and Steeda underdrive pulleys. Not only does the XCalibrator 2 handle the tuning, it helps increase fuel economy.
Wanting to keep the looks as good as the power, Lee added a chrome radiator cover to complement the chrome strut-tower brace and fusebox cover already in place under the hood.
When all was said and done, Lee entered his Stang in the '08 Concours d'Elegance in Lehi, Utah, and the '08 Mustang Club of America Grand National in Park City, Utah, taking first place in his class at both shows.
With classic looks and modern power, its no surprise Lee's slick S197 is quite the showstopper!
Interior upgrades were kept...
Interior upgrades were kept to a minimum. A Hurst shifter and custom pedals add a racy touch to this otherwise-stock interior.
A C&L cold-air intake adds...
A C&L cold-air intake adds a little extra performance to the beautiful S197. With the help of the XCalibrator 2 from SCT, Lee is able to get the most out of all his aftermarket upgrades.
Twenty-inch chrome wheels...
Twenty-inch chrome wheels hide the slotted and crossdrilled rotors that bring the good times to a halt when Lee needs.