Grumpy Ole Man's Modifications

[steathv]

First of all let me say I respect everyone's builds, likes and dislikes. I have done loud and I have done lowered and in between but I am older now. Deaf in one ear and hard of hearing in the other, my back hurts and I can't drive a stick anymore. This may be my last Mustang so I built a comfortable car for the street. I searched for a used S550 but the prices were so high last year I ordered a 2022 Premium GT California Special with an automatic and no other options to keep the price down.

I upgraded the brake pads with Raybestos Carbon Ceramic pads and they are great on the street. I used Shelby GT350 194# springs on the front with Ford Racing track struts and a GT350R front sway bar. Changed out the front lower control arms for Ford Racing M-3075-F arms. Added a Steeda G Trac brace as well. The rear suspension stayed with the stock springs and shocks and added a Hotchkis 2216R rear sway bar set on the soft setting, BMR CB005 level 2 kit and TCA O48 vertical links.

Under the hood added Red Line hood struts, 2021 stock air box with a green drop in filter, insulated the air box with thermo wrap. Added a Steeda throttle body spacer, and a Shrader performance tune.

I wanted the exhaust free flowing so deleted the resonator and fabbed up a new one using a magnaflow x muffler #11386 and installed in place of the resonator, smoothed out the stock exhaust sound so I can hear the tunes better.

Did the Forscan EQ mod and installed a Rockville Ghost subwoofer in the spare tire well and insulated the back of the car with thermo wrap.

Added some hood stripes and trunk stripes to compliment the California Special side stripes as well as clear protection film on the rocker panels and front fenders.

Will add a catch can and some rear mud flaps and I will be done. All though not the fastest Mustang in the stable, it is a great driving car. Well, after all of this my back hurts, I can't drive a stick anymore and I don't hear too well but I can still drive a Mustang.

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[RagmopInKona]

Nice. The great thing about the car hobby, is everyone likes different things. Well most anyways.
Enjoy your ride. Ya getting old sucks. But Better than 6 feet deep or in a vase.
I had to sell a few of my toys that were built from the factory in the 80's because ouch my back, C4 vets are a bargain but the seats are best left to the 35 and under crowd.
I do miss the raw feed back, today's cars don't have it.

 

[Offshoregames]

I feel like you’re missing something…….

Sounds like a sweet build.
Enjoy

 

[JustSomeGuy]

The best thing about getting old is not giving a F about what other people think. Socks with sandals, tucking t-shirts into cargo shorts, and building your Mustang however the hell you want. Good for you bud-

 

[Cobra Jet]

I feel like you’re missing something…….

Sounds like a sweet build.
Enjoy

Yes - missing a supa-charga!

Excellent upgrades so far and stick around, we're a great mix of S550 Owners!

 

[HKusp]

Pictures, or it didn't happen...

 

[rojizostang]

sounds like the OP is my doppelganger, except i didn't buy a california special.

from one old man to the other (i'll be drawing full social security in december, lol) howdy!

 

[Bulldog9]

I'd like to hear more about the Ford Performance front control arms. My car drives perfect with the exception of the somewhat vague feel of the steering. Would love to sharpen it up as far as 'feel'

 

[steathv]

I can't say the control arms are a night and day difference but they did quicken the steering a bit
and made the steering more responsive. After the guy at the alignment shop saw what I had done to the suspension he aligned it to PP2 specs which feels great, 1.7 degrees of negative camber on the front, I just need to watch tire wear or back off the camber but I think it will be ok.
You may want to change the alignment specs to a PP1 or PP2 and see how you like it, if still not enough, go with the control arms, I paid $300.00 for the arms on sale. I have a lift which made the install easier, no way I could do it on jack stands anymore.

 

[Bulldog9]

I can't say the control arms are a night and day difference but they did quicken the steering a bit
and made the steering more responsive. After the guy at the alignment shop saw what I had done to the suspension he aligned it to PP2 specs which feels great, 1.7 degrees of negative camber on the front, I just need to watch tire wear or back off the camber but I think it will be ok.
You may want to change the alignment specs to a PP1 or PP2 and see how you like it, if still not enough, go with the control arms, I paid $300.00 for the arms on sale. I have a lift which made the install easier, no way I could do it on jack stands anymore.

Thanks. I am running Steeda Sport suspension (springs and struts/shocks) all around with the lower front brace and rear IRS bracing with a PP1 alignment spec on a 2020 Bullitt. The car absolutely sticks and handles brilliantly, its just a matter of feel. But I was spoiled with an E36 M3 and 76 912 for comparison.

High speeds, I am satisfied with the feedback, it's the lower speeds that just feels less 'alive' than I'd like.

Your build sounds great!

 

[steathv]

I had thought about supercharging but my reflexes are not as fast anymore and may over correct in getting sideways. The car tracks straight with the suspension mods and no wheel hop. When I first started hot rodding 0-60 in 7 seconds and a 14.5 quarter mile was fast, a Toyota Camry can beat that now. On a perfect surface this car should run sub 4 second 0-60's and sub 12's in the quarter, from my reference point that is fast. The supercharger would be faster but traction then becomes an issue.

 

[steathv]

I wish the steering was still a little quicker lock to lock, had a Ford Focus ST - 2.5 turns lock to lock with a small diameter steering wheel - wish the Mustang had that steering rack.

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