airbag steering column for an ’88 tilt column
and installed an Isotta Evoluzione steering
wheel with matching white surfaces. Control
stalk, tilt lever, e-brake handle, pedals, window
and lock buttons, and heater controls were all
dressed in a metal finish.
At shows, Mike’s made-over Mustang got a
good reaction, until people took a look under
the hood. The stock 5.0 was a bit of a letdown,
and Mike would usually place, but not in First.
It was time to tackle the engine.
The original 5.0 V-8 was removed and
disassembled. The block took a 0.030-inch
cleanup on the bores, and the crank was
polished and balanced. Upper and lower girdles
were installed for maximum strength. The stock
head castings were shelved in favor of Edelbrock
heads with larger 2.02/1.60–inch valves, intake/
exhaust. Comp Cams valves and roller rockers
were used along with an Extreme Energy cam
with 0.556-inch lift. The free-breathing intake
tract makes excellent use of a beefy Novi 1200
supercharger, tuned for 7 psi of boost. Wiring
and plumbing have been rerouted for a clean
underhood appearance.
Exhaust flows through BBK long-tube
headers and into 3-inch pipes from the collectors
back. Mufflers are Flowmaster Super 44s. The
Issue 9 FOX Mustang Magazine 49