Warren tried to minimize cutting up any original parts of the Mustang. The Rockford Fosgate Punch controls are mounted where the LED light warning system used to be, with no cutting.
Out back is all Warren's creation. Two subs in a custom enclosure pound out the beat, while two 6x9s are mounted in the sides. Notice the use of the stock Mustang grilles. When the hatch cover is pulled into place, they line up with the factory speaker holes punched into the hatch cover. It's all in the details.
When you're cranking a 1,000-watt stereo system to impress the neighbors (or that kid in the Civic next to you at the stoplight), it's going to take some juice to keep everything happy. While checking out the list of hardware going into the 3g GT project, we took a quick look at the stock alternator output level for an '01 GT. As luck would have it, Ford has a unique 6G alternator for '99-'02 models, and its output is only rated at 105 amps. While it was suggested that we find a 200-amp model, the only direct-fit offering right now is the 145-amp 6G alternator from Rick Harmon and his company, PA-Performance. We've used Rick's alternators and starters on numerous projects, so we had him fire us his newest creation. The installation is just a matter of removing four bolts, swapping the alternator, and putting the four bolts back, so even our Art Director Marty McHugh could handle it (we think). At $259 we consider the PA-Performance 6G alternator cheap insurance, considering the cost of the audio/video gear we put into the 3g GT project car.
To see what would happen, we waited until Warren finished the installation and then cranked it up with the stock 6G alternator in place. At idle, the 6G was begging for mercy and outputting only 13.03 amps. This was without the A/C, lights, wipers, or anything else running-except for the engine and the stereo.
Yanking the stock alternator off the 3g GT wasn't too difficult, although it was a bit more involved due to our Reichard Racing manifold bracket and the ATI ProCharger idler pulley that were in the way. Once the alternator was removed, we put the old 6G up to the new 6G from PA-Performance. Except for the stocker needing a bath, they looked identical. We knew the new one would go on without any problems.
Once the alternator was installed, everything hooked right back up. There wasn't a need for a different belt or an adjustment of any kind. By the time you read this, PA-Performance should be offering this alternator in various show colors.
Firing up the 3g, we cranked the stereo using the same bass track from the Crutchfield bass sampler CD. This time, the new 145-amp 6G alternator kept up nicely, with an idle output of 14.09 volts. Since installing the alternator, our 3g has shown no signs of a weak battery, and the audio system sounds great.