In 1994, Ken once again parked the car to begin another metamorphosis. Of course, he never intended it to be what it is today. "It just kind of evolved," he says. "You know, paint a piece, polish another, next thing you know..." Yeah, we know, Ken. "I worked on it in my spare time," he adds. "But I work 60-plus hours a week, so I don't have a lot of spare time."
What little time Ken did have to work on the car he put to good use. Out came the four-cylinder and four-speed and in went a CRC Automotive Racing Engines-built 388ci short-block. The stereo became a huge, thumping system with an equally impressive assortment of custom enclosures, switches, and lights. Instead of the Dodge Conquest blue, the body now plays host to PPG Emerald Green pearl coat. The body has seen its fair share of massaging as well. The 16-inch Riken's and Falken treads were swapped out for huge (by Fox Mustang standards) 18-inch Freedom Design 2005 wheels wrapped in Bridgestone Potenza S02 Pole Position shoes. The braking department took a giant leap forward with the addition of Baer brakes both front and rear, in concert with a '93 Cobra booster and a Wilwood proportioning valve.
Ken has some trophies to throw in the faces of those who doubted he could turn around the fate of the little '79. At the NMRA '02 World Finals, the car took First Place in Editor's Choice and Second Place in the modified division.
Ken would like to thank his dad, his friend Scott Marvin, "and all the tech guys at all the companies I called." He also sends out thanks to those who supported him-and especially those who didn't. "They were my fuel," Ken says.
| 5.0 TECH SPECS |
| ENGINE AND DRIVETRAIN |
| Block | 351 Windsor |
| Bore | 4.030 |
| Stroke | 3.80 |
| Cubic Inches | 388 |
| Crank | Offset ground, Innovators West aluminum damper |
| Rods | Eagle |
| Pistons | Ross, Speed-Pro rings |
| Cylinder Heads | CRC Automotive-ported, Trick Flow Twisted Wedge, Scorpion rockers, Manley valves, Comp Cams valvesprings, titanium retainers |
| Camshaft | Ultradyne |
| Intake Manifold | FRPP Cobra, Saleen-prepped and Extrude Honed |
| Throttle Body | Accufab 70mm |
| Mass Air Meter | Pro-M Bullet 75mm |
| Fuel System | Paxton blue pump, Russell lines, Cartech rails, FRPP 30-lb/hr injectors, Paxton adjustable fuel-pressure regulator |
| Exhaust | Hedman Hustler long-tube headers, Dr. Gas 3-in X-pipe, Borla XR1 Sportsman Race mufflers w/turndowns |
| Transmission | T56, Ram 900 series clutch, Ram billet steel flywheel, Ram pressure plate, Pro-5.0 shifter base, Steeda Tri-Ax handle, Momo knob |
| Driveshaft | Dynotech metal matrix |
| Rearend | 8.8, rebuilt Traction-Lok, 3.55 gears, Ranger axles |
| ELECTRONICS |
| Engine Management | EEC IV, EPEC w/wideband O2 |
| Ignition | MSD 6AL, MSD Blaster coil, MSD plug wires, NGK Iridium plugs |
| Gauges | Auto Meter |
| SUSPENSION AND CHASSIS |
| FRONT SUSPENSION |
| K-Member | Modified '92, '88 Thunderbird control arms |
| Caster/Camber Plates | Central Coast Mustang |
| Struts | Koni red |
| Springs | Eibach |
| Bushings | Energy Suspension |
| Wheels | 18-in Freedom Design 2005 |
| Tires | Bridgestone Potenza S02 Pole Position 235/40 |
| Brakes | Baer Track kit, polished and painted PBR calipers, SN-95 spindles |
| REAR SUSPENSION |
| Shocks | Koni Red |
| Springs | FRPP C |
| Brakes | Baer, polished and painted PBR calipers |
| Wheels | 18-in Freedom Design 2005 |
| Tires | Bridgestone Potenza S02 Pole Position 265/35 |
| Traction Devices | Boxed upper and lower control arms, Slot Car Mustangs antisquat brackets, '86 GT sway bar |
| Chassis Stiffening | Subframe connectors, reinforced torque boxes, 3¼4 of car seam welded |