| 1972 Ford Mustang Mach 1 - My Modifications | ||
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 My 1972 Ford Mustang Mach 1 The stock points ignition was decent, but after replacing the points 100 times too many, I decided to go with the MSD Ignition. The ignition smoothed the engine out quite a bit. With the points ignition, the engine wouldn't idle well below 1000rpms, after the MSD, it could purr along at 750rpm, or even lower perhaps. I don't feel that I gained any high rpm horsepower from this, but the torque at lower RPMs seems to have been boosted a bit. I highly suggest the MSD ignition, or at least some sort of electronic ignition for all first gen Mustangs. Hurst Competition Plus Shifter Very nice shifter feel compared to stock. While the throw is shorter, its still not comparable to even a stock new manual Mustang. That being said I'd recommend this shifter to anyone. Holley 4160 vacuum secondary Carburetor Subtle but noticeable increase in power over stock. Smoother idle, better gas mileage and better looks to go along with it. Wow...just....wow. I can't say enough about how much of an improvement these shocks were over the Monroe Limited Edition Shocks that were on the car. The handling is MUCH improved. The only drawback I can think of is the fact that there is next to no weight transfer off the line now, which is only needed really for drag racing, which I happen to be a big fan of. I may end up changing these for track duty. Stock, my Mach 1 had 3.25s and an open differential. This combo was horrible as far as traction is concerned. I was unable to launch with any sort of aggression without spinning constantly. The 3.25s weren't a bad match for the power curve of the motor, but after putting the 4.11s in, I doubt I'll ever go back. I love the quick revving of the 4.11s. On the highway I'm not pulling 4.5k rpms in 4th, however, which is a big drawback if you drive on the street with any regularity. As said earlier, I'm a huge drag racing fan, and in my quest for better ETs at minimum cost, I began stripping weight from the car. It started with the non functioning stock AC system. This was removed as it hadn't been working for several years, and the fact that I never use AC, even when it works. From the AC, it moved on to all the duct work under the dash, spare tire and jack, front and rear swaybars, winsheild wipers, under carpet insulation, and various other tidbits in the engine compartment I deemed unnecessary. I also replaced the stock battery with a Odyssey 680MJT battery that weighs in at a scant 17lbs compared to the 48lbs of the battery it replaced. All this weight reduction added up to .4 off my ET at the track (not including the last 30lbs from the battery) and 3mph at the big end. Not bad for free. Holley 4150 750cfm mechanical secondary double pumper Carb Throttle response is amazing with this carburetor. I wouldn't recommend it without steep gearing, but with the 4.11s, the car is amazing now. I have yet to get a good track time with this carb, as I can't keep the car from spinning off the line now. I picked this carb up used under a hunch that the 600cfm vac secondary may not be enough. I am almost certain the car should lose another few tenths at the track with this carburetor. Low end power is down with the headers, no doubt due to the fact that I have no real exhaust system right now. I have a set of Flowmaster 1 chambers sitting directly behind the headers, and nothing past the mufflers. I'm currently trying to save up cash for an X pipe and Dynomax mufflers. I feel sure this will get the low end power back up. Past that, the Headers are awesome. The top end power is way up, and I can rev higher before shifting, which I feel should get me a better time at the track due to a higher average horsepower. I'll have to wait to pass judgement, however. |