Project Name: Frightning
Car: '86 Mustang LX
Timeline: May 2002-Present
Goal: Demonstrate benefits of good power-to-weight ratio: i.e., if our Lightning project could go 11s with bolt-ons, how quick could a light Fox-chassis car go with a blown 5.4 Lightning mill?
Result: 10.8 at 121 out of the box, totally stock.
Grade: A
Best performance: 10.5 at 126 mph with completely stock long-block.
Biggest mistake: Wrong torque converter, inhibiting
performance. Thinking blower motor would fit under 4-inch cowl hood--hah!
Best move: Having a car where the blower sticks through the hood.
When Frightning was dropped off in the MM&FF parking lot in 2002, it was in the worst shape of any project car in this magazine's history. Over time, though, we've given it a new life with a modern, modular 5.4-liter powerplant, new paint, and a new interior. We still plan to sort out the torque converter issue in the future and run some nines with it. Will it knock Excalibur off the throne? Stay tuned.
The Frightning Story!
Very, Very Frightning
Take one four-cylinder Mustang coupe, add a healthy dose of Lightning horsepower, and the result will scare the Brand Xers to death |
Rearend Remake Part 2
With the help of JDM Engineering we completed the rear axle and suspension install on our Lightning-powered LX, and then we fixed our minor braking problem. |