Our latest Mustang build starts...
Our latest Mustang build starts with a Ford Racing Performance Parts Body-In-White kit, which includes the body shell, and most of the essential components to finish the body and interior.
If there is one thing that the staff of MM&FF loves, it's digging into a new project. Building fast Mustangs never gets old, as there is an endless list of parts and combinations to test and endless places to go racing. Planning the project is also part of the fun, as we love to discuss which powerplant or class will make for the most interesting results.
While most enthusiasts will modify their cars one step at a time (or a few mods at a time), the polar approach is to start from scratch with a bare shell and build the car in it's entirety before it hits the track. Ford Racing Performance Parts makes this easy with it's Body-In-White program, which offers you a brand-new Mustang shell, along with the critical parts to complete the project, and all for a reasonable price.
Our build starts with some...
Our build starts with some top-notch gear from Strange Engineering and Ford Racing Performance Parts. The rear consists of a 9-inch Ford rear designed for the S197 with the factory suspension pick-up points. It will be stuffed with an aluminum center section that includes a spool and 5.13:1 gears, Strange axles and fitted with Strange brakes.
If you're wondering about the car shown in the photos, don't adjust your set. BIW Mustangs are not actually white, they come with a protective green e-coat, which we are told is an excellent for rust protection.
"The body-in-white kit is one of our racer friendly initiatives to help racers get on the track," said Jesse Kershaw of Ford Racing Performance Products. "We pre-sold all the 2010 body-in-white kits [about 40 in total], which allowed us to keep the pricing down. Our bodies are all factory perfect and we included the necessary trim to complete the car." Furthermore, each car is serialized (but not with a VIN), so we're speculating that can add value down the road.
1. Before working on the...
1. Before working on the rear, our man "Yo" Ken Miele helped out with some body prep.
1a. Miele cleaned up the...
1a. Miele cleaned up the firewall, removing unnecessary metal and then he filled in the holes as per the NHRA rulebook.
2. Next we mocked up the...
2. Next we mocked up the rear tires to see how much clearance we would have. The stock wheel wells are huge, so no cutting is necessary to fit our 9x30-inch slicks. In fact, the Mustang can accommodate 10.5-inch slicks with ease should we want to go with larger slicks.
Over the years, the big three manufacturers have had different BIW programs available to racers, but none have been as inclusive as this one. In most cases, all you got was a bare shell and maybe some plastic work, but the FRPP kit offers much more.
"Included with the body are the crossmembers, front control arms and knuckles, and all body plugs," said Kershaw. "The interior kit includes all interior trim, carpet, dash, window motors and all fasteners/hardware. The exterior kit includes front fascia, rear valance, head and taillights, stock GT grille, glass, all weatherstripping, and all necessary brackets and fasteners. The seat kit includes complete front and rear seats.
"Because of the high take rate of all kits combined, and the complexity of boxing them separately, future BIW kits will include all the 2010 components in one kit," he added.
The BIW Mustangs cannot be titled or driven on the street, as they don't have a VIN, but if you're going racing, the benefits are many. For one, you'll be starting with a new, straight body that hasn't been subject to miles of street abuse. And there is no sound-deadening/undercoating to scrape off, which many racers have to do as there can be 40-plus pounds of the nasty stuff on a street car. Not only is removal messy, but it is also time consuming. In addition, this kit makes painting the car easier since there will be little to no bodywork necessary.
3. Our rear was shipped complete...
3. Our rear was shipped complete from Strange, but we opened it up to show you the internals.
4. Housing features studs...
4. Housing features studs to make swapping center sections easy.
5. These housing ends allow...
5. These housing ends allow for the easy installation of the axles.
It really doesn't matter if you're building a weekend bracket brawler, an NMRA heads-up machine, a Cobra Jet clone, or even a road racer, this is perhaps the ultimate way to start your next Ford racing project. Plus many racing sanctions only pay contingencies for modern model-era vehicles, making this another reason to switch to a newer body.
"With 40 kits sold in 2010, we're planning another run of kits for 2012 right after the 2013-model Cobra Jet build," added Kershaw. "Expect more information on the pricing and kit contents in the spring of 2012. The MSRP for the BIW with interior and exterior was $9,100," he added.
6. Aluminum center "chunk"...
6. Aluminum center "chunk" saves a few pounds without adding a lot of cost.
To give you an in-depth look into what it takes to prepare one, we're going to follow along with this BIW buildup, watching it go from a bare shell to a dragstrip terror using mostly bolt-in parts from the aftermarket. The idea is to keep with parts that are readily available for the S197 chassis, thus limiting the cost for custom fabrication. With the exception of a few items, such as a rollcage and paint, this will be a project you can do in your garage.
Next month we'll move into more of the fabrication and get moving on parts installation.
7. A 5.13:1 back-cut gear...
7. A 5.13:1 back-cut gear will get our modular mill buzzing quickly.
8. These 31-spline axles...
8. These 31-spline axles will more than handle the power.
9. Strange double-adjustable...
9. Strange double-adjustable shocks feature an aluminum body and dual adjusters for controlling extension and compression.
9b. Strange double-adjustable...
9b. Strange double-adjustable shocks feature an aluminum body and dual adjusters for controlling extension and compression.
9c Strange double-adjustable...
9c Strange double-adjustable shocks feature an aluminum body and dual adjusters for controlling extension and compression.
10. After hoisting the rear...
10. After hoisting the rear into the Mustang, the FRPP control arms were installed along with the shocks.
11. Stock Mustang GT springs...
11. Stock Mustang GT springs were used in the rear (we’ll use softer coils up front).
12. Next, the center was...
12. Next, the center was bolted in...
13. ...and the axles were...
13. ...and the axles were slipped into place.
14. Aluminum brake caliper...
14. Aluminum brake caliper brackets serve to retain the axles and hold the calipers.
15. The rear brakes were...
15. The rear brakes were trial fit to make sure the rotor sits in the center of the caliper. Since the rear was assembled by Strange this was a perfect fit.
16. Up next was the FRPP...
16. Up next was the FRPP antiroll bar, which will keep the body from roll-rotating during launch.
17. Followed by the FRPP...
17. Followed by the FRPP lower trailing arms.
18a. The Strange/FRPP rear...
18a. The Strange/FRPP rear sits neatly under the chassis.
18b. With full adjustability,...
18b. With full adjustability, it will be easy to dial in the level of traction we desire. Hopefully this baby will be hiking the front wheels high in the sky.