Featured Ride - Twist 2 Go

It’s been a while, in fact too long, since we’ve done a featured ride. While we’ve been careful not to hold ourselves to any certain schedule, something on at least a monthly basis (or better) would be ideal. With the recent edition of turp as the new editor of this column, more rides will likely grace our homepage. So, without further ado…

In these times of superchargers and turbo chargers, high powered boosted rides are the weapon of choice for many Mustang drivers across the continent. Rarely do you see an old fashioned big block track monster such as Rick’s 1988 Ford Mustang LX.

Ricks ’stang began life as your average, every day bargain basement, 4 cylinder fox body mustang. With alot of time and effort invested by the Ford master technician, this little Notch has become a Nitrous breathing big block powered bullet.

This little coupe boasts a 473 cubic inch Ford big block relying on a powerglide transmission with an Edge 4200RPM stall converter. This power is fed to an 8.8 inch rear end fitted with a 33 spline Auburn pro differential split by moser axles C-clip eliminators legally hold this combo together and a granatelli rear support cover adds additional insurance against a big block death.

As if the big block wasn’t enough, Rick also added a Nitrous Express Hitman system with an Edelbrock progressive controller. Feeding the Trick Flow aluminum heads is an AED 850 cfm carburator.  Front and rear Aerospace disc brake kits w/ 4 piston calipers, Hawk green pads, and a manual brake conversion help stop the car on the big end.

Keeping Rick safe (and legal) is a Jeg’s 10 point cage.

Keeping the BBF cool is a Summit aluminum radiator and flex-a-lite electric fan.

I had the chance to go one on one with Rick for ten questions this month and here’s what he had to say.

1. Where are you from Rick?
A. I grew up in East Tennessee near Knoxville and moved to Chesapeake in 2000 to be closer to wife’s parents

2. Tell us about yourself.
A. 41yrs old, married, 3 kids( all girls, ages 13,9,3) Ford Senior Master Technician, specializing in auto trans repair, also have GM and Dodge certifications, ASE master Auto tech, Nashville Auto-Diesel College grad in 1984, when I’m not playing cars or doing something with the family, I am an avid woodworker and/or couch potato :)

3. What started you on mustangs?
A. my cousin bought a brand new 69 Boss 302 that had every option available. I was only 4 at the time but I can still remember the 1st time I saw that car. I actually heard it before I saw it:)

4. How many and what kind of mustangs have you owned in the past?
A. I think the count is now 5, all fox bodies.

5. How has the mustang affected your life?
A.I have met a lot of awesome friends and aquaintences because of my involment with the mustang performance community.

6. Why do you think the mustang is the ultimate sports car?
A. I believe it’s due to the fact that no matter what a person’s liking is, a mustang can adapt to it, whether it’s turned into a drag racer, a road racer, a car show queen, a cruiser, or just a daily driver.

7. Give the readers a little advice on modding mustangs.
A. Remember that when you get over 2000 members in a forum environment, not all are going to agree on everything that is said or done, so don’t take it personal when someone flames you or your ideas. Everyone has different experiences an/or ideas. One of my favorite quotes is from a sig on hardcore5.0, “The spreading of mis-information is a capital crime!”

8. What is your favorite mustang?
A. 1970 Boss 429.

9. What is your dream car?
A. I really don’t have a “dream car” but I guess if money was no object, I’d have to buy the entire Don Garlit’s drag racing museum:) I really enjoy the “old school” drag race cars of the 50’s,60’s and 70’s.

10. Where do you see Mustangs in say 10 years?
A. People will be arguing over how to restore a 87-93 fox body to concourse specs.

The Low Down on Rick’s ‘88 Mustang LX

473ci Big Block Ford
TFS alum. Heads
Victor intake
850 AED carb.
NX nitrous kit
Powerglide trans
4200 stall Edge Racing Converter
Jeg’s 10pt roll cage
Tubular front k-member and control arms
Strange struts and coilovers
Flaming River manual steering kit
Aerospace front and rear disc brakes
Holcomb Motorsports manual master cylinder kit
Moser 33spline axles w/ c-clip elims
Auburn Pro-series rear differential
275/60-15 MT drag radials
Summit alum rad. and flex-a-lite fans
Weld Rodlite wheels (15×4, 15×8)

With the exception of the machine work on the block and heads, all the work on this car was done by Rick. His fastest ¼ mile time to date is a blistering 10.020 @ 135 MPH. Future plans include… well 9’s of course : ) We’d also like to congratulate Rick for taking the True Street runner-up spot at Fun Ford Weekend this year.