If you bought and '05-'06 Mustang and were bummed to hear the '07 cars are getting cool, optional iPod integration, don't fret. The fine folks at PIE [(818) 678-3690; www.pie.net] have created and iPod adapter that uses your factory head unit's satellite radio controls to control your iPod, display song info on the head unit, and even charge your iPod. Sweet.
If you're ready to ditch your factory head unit, Pioneer Electronics (www.pioneerelectronics.com) has issued another in-dash do-it-all wonder. This double DIN unit, the AVIC-D3 packs in capabilities such as navigation, XM NavTraffic (optional; reports traffic jams), XM and Sirius Satellite capability (optional), DVD playback, MP3/WMA/AAC playback, iPod control (optional), Bluetooth compatibility, and more. It even displays vehicle dynamics as well as performance information and has front auxiliary input. This thing is cool.
With the all the Mustang-specific systems covered, ProCharger showed off its 4,000-cfm, 2,500hp capable F3-139 supercharger with a unique hub-mounting system. We're not sure where this monster fits into the racing world yet, but we're sure someone is ready to make crazy power with it.
We know torque is what wins races, and horsepower is what sells magazines, but apparently Quaker State [www.qpower.com] has found that its customers, especially those with trucks, want a little extra grunt. So, they worked on formulating a synthetic oil that is said to improve torque-Q TorquePower. This oil might be something for the horsepower limited, but torque unlimited racers in NASA American Iron to try out.
If you've been around as long as we have, you remember a time when there were only a couple cylinder head options for 5.0 Mustangs. These days, there seems to be a couple new options every year. The latest player in the pushrod power market is Racing Head Service [(877) 776-4323; www.racingheadservice.com]. The company's new Pro Action small-block Ford heads are available with 180, 200, and 215cc intake runners, and 2.02- or 2.08-inch intake valves coupled with 1.6-inch exhaust valves. According to RHS, these heads feature high-volume exhaust ports, dual bolt pattern, and superior port-to-chamber transitions, thanks to the company's unique Clean Cast Technology.
If kicking it old school is what attracted you to the latest Mustang to begin with, you'll love Retrospective Designs' [(616) 538-2008; www.retrospectivedesigns.com] Retro Bumper Trim. This product brings the look of the vintage Mustang's chrome bumpers to the S197 via the wonders of ABS plastic and double-sided 3M adhesive.
Pushing the latest versions of the company's custom-tuning software (Advantage III), as well as the PCM Flash Tool the LiveWire, SCT [(866) 297-6298; www.sctflash.com] was drawing traffic with a twin-turbo Ford GT. It uses a two-stage turbo system to make 1,100 rwhp, with 1,400 rwhp forecast by the time you read this. Obviously, it uses SCT electronics throughout, including a power limiter for regular street driving, as even 1,100 hp at the tires is way too much. Most of the time.
Known largely for its vintage restoration parts, Scott Drake [(702) 853-2060; www.scottdrake.com] is branching out with a lot of Ford and Shelby-licensed billet dress-up gear for the S197 Mustang. From the usual oil caps and doorlock knobs, to way-cool exterior trim parts, map-light accents, and shifter boot trim, Scott Drake will dress up your Mustang or Shelby in a hurry. The company even offers a leather armrest cover with an embossed Shelby or GT logo that would look great with the GT 500's interior upgrade package.
If you checked out our GT 500 buyer's guide last month, you already know about Sean Hyland Motorsport's [(519) 421-2291; www.seanhylandmotorsport.com] trick aluminum modular block. At SEMA, SHM showed off a GT 500-specific cold-air intake kit, which is the first we've seen with an oval-shaped mass air housing. A blower puller remover tool, an interchangeable pulley kit for GT 500, and the show stopper, a six-speed sequential gearbox for pushrod and modular engines were also shown. No cheap date at $12,995, this box is a road racer's dream, offers your choice of ratios, supports 600 lb-ft of torque, and weighs only 71 pounds.
Feature car alum Jason Cenora's '07 GT was the eye candy in the Shelby Vehicle Security Systems and Starters (www.shelbyautosecurity.com) booth. SVSS offers two security systems licensed by Carroll, a standard system (PN CS400-S) with a Dual Stage Shock Sensor, Starter Disable Relay, an Anti-carjacking Mode, and more. The premium system, (PN CS500-S) adds an antenna with a driver paging button, an LCD remote, and more. CVSS also sells remote start systems and car cleaning products bearing the Shelby name.