We recently received this story about an exhaust system gone wrong. While significant money was spent creating the magnificent drive train, the exhaust was so badly designed as to cause Kevin Crocie of Colvin Automotive to wonder if the engine was damaged. After all, to have the World Products 427cid, 495hp engine only generate 258 horsepower at the rear tires, something had to be really wrong.

As Crocie ultimately determined, the exhaust system was the culprit – and was easily corrected through proper fitment. Documented here by one of Flowmaster’s technical experts, Jeff Thomas, who recently discussed the scenario with Crocie, the correction was miraculous – and cemented the fact that you can select the wrong exhaust products for your vehicle with disastrous results. This worst case scenario is a perfect example of – exhaust design gone wrong!

Colvin Automotive, an advanced auto repair and restoration facility in Austin, Texas, was chosen by the owner of this beautiful 1968 Mustang to diagnose some serious performance and drivability issues. The highly modified Mustang was equipped with a World Products 427 Windsor engine rated at 495 flywheel horsepower. After running the car on Colvin’s in-house Dyno Jet chassis dynamometer, power peaked at 258.1 RWHP (at only 3700 RPM) and 331.7 ft-lbs of torque, Worst of all, the engine exhibited what appeared to be some serious internal problems.

Kevin Crocie, Colvin’s expert engine man, said after the first dyno pull, “From the lack of power and mechanical noises coming from it, I thought the engine had been severely damaged”. Fearing the worst, preparations were made to remove the engine and tear it down for inspection. As the exhaust system was removed from the car, Crocie noted the small diameter (2.5-inch) tubing and the small round, glasspack style mufflers that were used. On a hunch, he returned the Mustang to the dyno and ran the car with open headers. This resulted in a much smoother sounding engine and a peak of 398.5 RWHP at 5700 RPM – 140 more HP – Torque increased to 385.9 ft-lbs at 4900 RPM.

At this point, Crocie contacted us at Flowmaster, having had previous successful experiences with our products. We delivered two polished 70 Series Big Block II stainless steel mufflers – PN# 53074 (as requested to match the upcoming show-quality exhaust – no internal design differences from standard products), leaving the Colvin Automotive folks to fabricate the rest of the full 3.00-inch diameter mandrel-bent dual exhaust system for the car. The headers already in place, as well as the engine, remained untouched, except for tuning once the exhaust was installed.

Upon strapping the Mustang back onto the Dyno Jet, power was found to peak at 399.0 RWHP, again at 5700 RPM (more horsepower than open exhaust), while peak torque was raised by 33.4 ft-lbs- to 419.3 ft-lbs- over the open-header run. From the initial dyno run, torque was increased by 87.6 ft-lbs!

With the Mustang now running at its full potential, Colvin Automotive has reaffirmed their belief in the performance gain achieved with Flowmaster products. You can understand the car owner’s appreciation for the major performance gains noted and he loves the famous Flowmaster sound. His fears of the car becoming ‘too loud’ were put to rest by using the Flowmaster 70 Series Big Block II mufflers, which keep the overall sound level very well controlled for enjoyable top-down driving in this one-of-a-kind Mustang.

© mdvaldosta for Modded Mustangs, 2010. | Permalink | No comment

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The New York Auto Show was the pedestal from which Saleen announced yet another project it has been working on. Racing legend Dan Gurney was the focus of the new signature edition Mustang - which will be released in late April - bearing a resemblance to his 1969 Trans Am series Mustang.

Saleen CEO Paul Wilbur described it as “amazing” that just 2 years after standing on stage with Parnelli Jones, they have joined up with long time rival, and friend, Dan Gurney to produce 300 limited edition Mustangs for the public. This particular Saleen will be equipped with a supercharged 4.6L V8 producing 465 horsepower, along with Saleen’s racecraft suspension. Exterior accessories and the vintage coloration added to the S197 platform put a modernized twist to the classic that won so many hearts.

On the exterior, the Mustang sports a Gurney Edition body kit, complete with “duck bill” rear spoiler, chin spoiler and stinger type hood. All perfectly harmonized with the paint scheme and carefully placed decals -including the Gurney Eagle insignia reminiscent of the classic.

Although Saleen was not prepared to make a statement, Saleen General Manager Marques McCammon did say that this latest edition was “likely the best all around 281 supercharged car that Saleen has ever built.” Combine that with the specially tuned racecraft suspension, Generation-II Watts-Link rear end, and the Pirelli Corsa tires – a suspension combination never before featured on a Saleen vehicle – and you have yourself a lightning fast, corner-hugging monster.

The exterior of the car is not the only area to get a face-lift. The interior has also been revamped to include the Gurney Eagle emblem on the steering wheel and head rests of the two-tone seats featuring either red or blue AlcantaraTM inserts.

To honor Dan Gurney’s All American racing persona, Saleen will produce 100 vehicles in each of 3 colors. Torch Red, Performance White and Vista Blue, with contrasting color graphics and interiors, and a set of “#2″ roundels to complete the Dan Gurney experience. With only 300 being made, this will definitely be a must-have amongst collectors.

© XTCNAGT for Modded Mustangs, 2008. | Permalink | No comment

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Mustang enthusiasts nationwide will have something else to look forward to in 2008 as Team Shinoda recently unveiled their plans for a new Boss Mustang. With a variety of packages being offered, the Boss will be sure to have something for any mustang lover regardless of their budget.

The 2008 Boss Shinoda Legacy package has been geared towards those who worry about breaking the bank or those who would like to do their own modifications as their budget and time allow. It comes with the Shinoda Spoiler, Graphics pack (Vibe or Hockey Stick style), engine cover, floormats, and pedal covers. The Legacy package can be added to a V6 or GT (coupe or convertible) platforms – the convertible also coming equipped with a light bar.

The Level I Boss Shinoda adds a bit power to the elegance. Producing nearly 350 hp and upgrading the suspension, the Level I could easily be a daily driver, or something to break out over the weekend for those days where all you want to do is drive.

Ford racing gets involved for the Level II-S, Level II-FR and Level II-T packages. Powered by the Vortech Supercharger, the Level II-S and II-FR will bring a smile to anyone’s face as they see competition shrinking in their rear-view, while the Level II-T does the same while substituting the Supercharger with a Turbocharger. With the addition of the BCS Level II suspension (on the Level II-S and II-T) and the Ford Racing Handling Pack and BCS Control arms and Panhard bar on the Level II-FR, It’s still a very practical car around town.

Team Shinoda and Ford Racing pulled out all the stops when they designed the Level III. They wanted something to stand above the rest, and successfully created the most powerful production mustang available. The Level III Boss Shinoda has been upgraded further to the BCS Level Three Suspension to keep you in control of the asphalt-melting 750 hp it produces. The Level III was designed for those who have the desire – and means – to attain the right to say “What Z06?”.

It would be almost impossible for Team Shinoda to bring this line of specialty Mustangs back without the addition of the ever-popular Boss 429. It arrives on the scene with a naturally aspirated 429 hp 3-valve aluminum engine, and the BCS Level Three Suspension pack. This beloved masterpiece returns displaying no graphics or decals, and relies not on the flash of cosmetic extras to turn heads, but solely on it’s unadulterated power.

There’s 2 ways to go about ordering your own 2008 Boss Shinoda. You can go through authorized dealers (there’s a list of them here) or you can arrange your order through Team Shinoda who will have your custom order built and sent to a dealership near you. You can discuss the new BOSS in our forum.

© XTCNAGT for Modded Mustangs, 2007. | Permalink | No comment

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