2001 Mustang GT Roush Body Kit Install - Mustang Metamorphosis Part 2

The only other hiccup in this project's metamorphosis involved the exhaust system. Since Ice Box is equipped with subframe connectors, when it came time to link up the side-exit exhaust system, the Roush mufflers wouldn't fit in the desired location underneath the car. To remedy that, we had a local muffler shop create new pipes and relocate the mufflers to get everything to fit. When all was said and done, the car sounded aggressive, but not annoyingly so.

Overall, swapping Ice Box over from the Cervini's kit to the Roush kit was relatively easy. Once we mounted the Nitto tires on the new Roush wheels, the package was complete, though a front license-plate mount, a new running-pony emblem, and maybe a billet grille are in the works to finish everything off. How often can you put a car into paint jail and get it back in a respectable amount of time? We were quite happy with the results, and we can't wait to hit the road and find out what passersby think.

The Final Tally
We Added a few additional parts and pieces to our list since Part 1. Keep in mind this is the cost of the parts only. Labor on a job such as this and the appropriate amount of paint needed depends on the shop chosen and the brand of paint used. Included with the following list is everything we needed to transform Project Ice Box to Roush status.

Following the rear-bumper...        read full caption Following the rear-bumper install, the front bumper and the Roush foglight kit were installed up front. Once the bumper was on, the HIDs were installed into the headlights.

Once the HID bulbs were in...        read full caption Once the HID bulbs were in the headlights, the new lamps were put in their respective position and adjusted for proper illumination.

Here's the front end minus...        read full caption Here's the front end minus the upper grille and running-pony emblem. Those two items were installed after the rest of the car was reassembled.

Words From Above
We sat down with Project Ice Box's caretaker, Editorial Director Jim Campisano, for his take on the Pony's makeover.

"The Roush exhaust is definitely quieter at an idle, but a bit more rambunctious at speed," Campy says. "On the highway up to 65-70 mph, it's a little bit loud, though it cleans up the faster you go. Stand on the throttle, and it sounds just like Greg Biffle's Cup car. I like that, but who wouldn't?

"As far as looks go, we've always loved the Stalker kit from Cervini's, and I think its design held up well over the years. It fits the New Edge Mustang body great. But magazine project cars are always evolving, and it was time for Ice Box to change. The Roush body kit is equally exciting, and you almost never see a real Stage 2 or 3 Roush Mustang on the street, so you won't see yourself coming and going. The front air dam is bold, as is the rear wing, but the sidepipes not only tie everything together, they make the car stand out.

"Overall, the new paint from Motor City Auto Body is brilliant, and the chrome Roush wheels and smoked headlights complete the package."

The last part to go on the...        read full caption The last part to go on the car was the Cervini's hood, as we had something special in store for it.	After the hood was shot in...        read full caption After the hood was shot in the white and clear, the areas on top of the scoops where we wanted to install the stripes were roughed up with sand-paper and readied for application. We left the underside alone.	We moved the hood into the...        read full caption We moved the hood into the paint booth, where the stripes were measured and outlined. For uniformity, we had to make sure the stripes were in the same spot on both scoops.
We used 1/4-inch masking tape...        read full caption We used 1/4-inch masking tape to outline the stripe on the hoodscoops.	Here you can see that the...        read full caption Here you can see that the opening on the hood scoop vents were fiberglassed closed so water and other junk would not make their way into the engine compartment. After the fiberglass reacted with the hood the first time, a second go-around was made before primer and paint were applied.	Once the hood was completed,...        read full caption Once the hood was completed, it was bolted to Ice Box and shut. Following that, the remaining trim pieces were put on, the Nitto tires were transferred over to the new Roush rims, and-after a minor snafu with the subframe connectors-the Roush exhaust was installed.
The finished product shows...        read full caption The finished product shows Ice Box wearing her new threads, along with the new hood and the rear wing.	For paint, we chose Bright...        read full caption For paint, we chose Bright Arctic White, with stripes of Graphite Grey Pearl, which is a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution color. In the right angle with the sun shining, the pearl in the stripes is clearly evident. The hoodscoop stripes came out great, and when combined with the smoked headlights, really make the car stand out in a crowd.	The Roush wheel package completes...        read full caption The Roush wheel package completes the overall look of the car, as the 18-inch chrome five-spoke rims complement the whole kit perfectly.
According to Editorial Director...        read full caption According to Editorial Director Jim Campisano, the Roush side-exit exhaust makes Ice Box "sound like Greg Biffle's Cup car." That's some compliment!	With the headlight switch...        read full caption With the headlight switch pulled, the HID lights flicker on and gradually illuminate to full power. The blue hue goes well with the conventional glow coming from the Roush foglights.