Kevin Tetz LPGT 66 Modular Mustang

[kttrucks]

I've had some alone time with the car... finally got the proportion figured out with the late model GT headlights..... Thankfully the facia is 'glass and is easy to mock and rework. New firewall, more welding, and general dinking around to make everything work together. Brian Finch gave me the great tip to remove the distribution block from the side of the Hydroboost and tap the return line, giving me tons of extra lateral fit. ( not tons, less than an inch, but that's all it took. ) Now it looks like it'll fit between the cam cover and the hood hinge. Thanks Brian! One day per weekend is not enough... I feel a tickle in my throat... gotta call in sick a couple days! LOL!

More later.

KT.

[parsonsj]

KT,

Nice work so far. Keep those pictures coming.

I gotta ask about the frame rails. Those exhaust cutouts look like they really compromise their integrity. Are you going to reinforce them somehow? Or are you leaving the rocker panels intact to support the car?


jp

[Blue70]

Cant wait to see how the new headlights look in there, great idea!

[kttrucks]

Thanks for the kind words! The exhaust cutouts are made from 1/4 inch thick tubing, which is substantial, and yes, if the frame was the only thing giving the car strength I'd opt out of creating weak links at those welds, but the unibody is still intact and gives extra support. I'm going to reinforce them at some point when I figure out exactly what I'm doing with exhaust routing, maybe plate with steel above and below the opening.... something for my peace of mind, although Muscle-Up says it's fine. I'm using the side-exit Spintech mufflers since they're lower profile and will give the look I want and not force me to weave exhaust tubing through the four link... that's a few weeks down the road if everything goes well.

There will be more pics to come... for now here's some more of what I worked on this past weekend.

[Aschle]

That should be a pretty cool car when finished !! Any more details?

Jason

[waynieZ]

Nice project it will be sweet when your done. Is that an ISIS wiring module I see?

[kttrucks]

Yes! It's an ISIS multiplex wiring system. I'm a couple of weekends away from starting that process; the coolness of the ISIS system cant be denied! from what I've researched it's very reliable as well. My engine management system is from Dunne-Rite Performance and is one of their very first 4V modular swap harnesses. Very well dedigned, three wire hookup with PATS, EGR, downstream cats, and speed control defeated. More on this system later. We're also using one on the TRUCKS! show in a V8 Ranger we're building... I'm waiting on my gauges and installing the 04 Cobra dash into the car before I wire and plumb. The late model dash is only a couple of inches wider than the inner assembly in the '66, but I don't anticipate it'll be easy to do..... I also wanted to weld in my firewall before cutting the dash out just in case there would be pressure/tension issues I'm going with the Autometer gauge pack for 04 Mustang with pillar boost & wide band gauges. I've got the power seats from a wrecked 05 GT and will have some kind of rollbar in place, along with good belts. I spoke with Brett (ridetech) @SEMA and he said they're working on a tiger cage for early Mustangs, and I love the way those systems look. I want a really clean look inside and under the hood, but a safe ride as well; good brakes, nice handling setup, and probably wider (stickier)tires before the car debuts anywhere. Power goals are an honest 500 RWHP, which is very doable with the Terminator/T56/ 9 inch 3:70 combination. I pan on functional brake ducts fro the side scoops that haven't showed up yet... Im incorporating aftermarket late model scoops and will rout Shelby-like ducting to the rear rotors through the quarters. I still have to mini-tub the rear wheel houses, and generally clean up a bunch of welds on the main tub before priming and blocking. I'll be running with A/C as well.... early Mustangs dont ventilate well in the best cases.... I want to be comfortable at speed and have A/C at autocrosses. I plan on ( in all my free time... ) attending as many NMRA, Goodguys, Sema shows as possible with it, and I'm actually saying out loud that this coming (2010) summer it'll be done. I don't know how, but it will. Now that all the main vehicle systems are actually sitting in boxes at my shop I've got no excuses! Nearly forgot to add Ricks Hot Rods SS fuel tank, and FORE Precision fuel hat and billet rails will complete fuel delivery (through braided stainless lines and a/n fittings.)

Thanks for the kind words, and thanks for asking about details... I've been driving this one in my mind for a while now. LOL!

KT.

[cees67]

what a cool idea !!! the mustang in my opinon is the best looking and performing new "retro" pony cars. you also cant deny the terminator setup...good luck! cant wait to see this thing come together

[kttrucks]

Had a chance to work on the interior..... got the donor car (04 Cobra) dash fit into the 66 Mustang's seemingly tiny interior. It's one of those things that seems like it wont work until you get out the cutoff wheel and sawzall... I had to trim about 6 inches off the front edge, and an inch off each side, alter the main support bracket, and trim the side mounting tabs to squeeze it into the factory cowl space (after the OE dash was trimmed out and sacrificed). Since I'm using all new electronics, this is going to give me a way to access the main harness and dash connections, as well as a cool look that still looks "Mustang"

[Blue70]

Wow!
I love the way this car is going!
I check every day hoping for an update, love the headlight idea, and now the interior! I cant wait to see this one finished!