Piston Slap: From Nicola's Romeo to Dearborn's Romeo

Mark from Klamath Falls, writes:

My friend from Europe is visiting the USA next summer. We’re planning a three week road trip around the American Southwest. He’s a car fan (Alfa Romeo variety), and wants to tour around in something typically American with a V-8 and a drop top. I normally drive a Miata, but that’s too small for all our stuff, plus no V-8 (at least not yet).

I figure I can buy a previous generation (2004 and older) Mustang GT convertible, drive it for the summer, and then sell it for about the cost of a rental. My question: what suspension modifications do I need to make beyond new tires and shocks to make the Mustang handle reasonably well (not Miata-like but close) without resulting in a ride that beats us up on long trips? I’m thinking Panhard Rod, but am open to any ideas that cost less than around $1,000 in parts (I can do the install myself for anything short of major surgery).

Please note: this has to be an American V-8 convertible – don’t bother suggesting alternative cars that don’t fit that criteria.

Sajeev answers:

While the best answer is your aforementioned Miata LS-1 swap, the older (SN-95 body) Mustang is a great idea. Even better, I can leverage my years of Fox Body Ford modifications in a way that cannot possibly creep out the likes of Bill Montgomery. So let’s do this thing . . .

First off, get a 1999 or newer Mustang GT. Don’t even consider the boat anchor 1996-98 vintage, unless the word “Cobra” is involved. While the 1994-95 Mustangs have tons of potential with their 5.0 motors and nicer, pre-Jac Nasser seats and interior materials, they are still slower (and thirstier) than the “Performance Improved” 4.6L single-cam of the later models. As an added bonus, these Mustangs sound like they have a custom cat-back exhaust from the factory. Well, almost.

Now to the modifications: get weld-in sub frame connectors. This is crucial to tighten the loosey-goosey underpinnings. You may never see sub frame connectors, but they work wonders on a droptop Mustang that’s deeply rooted in the weight conscious, energy crisis design tradition of the Ford Fairmont. Find a set that also bolts to the front seat tracks, should be around $300.

From there, do your aforementioned summer tire upgrade. The panhard bar is a great idea too, but I am not sure it’s worth a third of your $1000 budget. You’re gonna get more (I mean less) bang for your buck with chassis stiffeners.

Now attack the suspension with (lowering) springs and (Tokico) shocks from a 2001 Bullitt Mustang. The Bullitt stuff not only gives Euro-like performance with OEM levels of compliance, they make would-be Mustang buyers swoon. Or look at you funny, if you put them on a Fox Body Mercury Cougar. But I wouldn’t know anything about that.

Drive with the Bullitt stuff, then consider the rear sway bar: a 1” bar from a 1994-1998 Mustang Cobra to wipe out most of the GT’s understeering tendencies. If I remember correctly, only the rear bar changed on the Cobras, and it made a world of difference. Again, ask the guy with a Cobra rear bar on a Mercury Cougar. I’m just sayin’!

My next item is the most memorable for a European fan visiting America: a short throw billet shifter to really let you bang the gears without destroying anything. I would recommend Steeda’s Tri-Ax or an MGW shifter over any of their competitors. There is nothing like the feel of ripping a flawless 1-2 shift and barking the tires with a billet-perfected shifter. This is a part you can use, enjoy, remove and sell on Craigslist with little depreciation.

One more item to make a Euro-fan giddy with excitement: remove the airbox’s snorkel. It’s in the fender. Not only is this a free modification that nets up to 5hp, it makes a far more thrilling sound.

And lastly: pick up a Mustang enthusiast magazine. The number of vendors selling the parts recommended here are simply astounding, and it’s a buyer’s market. Ford parts departments will also chomp at the bit for your (Bullitt) business, so have at it.

No matter what you choose, you’re gonna have a blast. Do it.

[send your technical queries to mehta@ttac.com]