By installing UPR's complete...
By installing UPR's complete Pro Series K-member and rear suspension kits, Mason "Mase" Rowland of B&D Racing is off to a great start on his mission to transform a dilapidated '93 Cobra into a $10,000 drag car that runs in the 9s.
Horse Sense: Here's a toast to the shops around the country and the owners, technicians, and Mustang enthusiasts who have vision and the wherewithal to build project Mustangs.
As Editor Steve Turner explains in "Recipe or Random" (Bench Racer, July '07, p. 13), planning a Mustang project before getting started is one of the most important things an enthusiast can do-especially for an extensive Fox-Rod deal, similar to Steve's Fox 500 T-top LX full-build.
Naturally, the project's road map should be as thorough as possible and include immdiate alternatives in the event of a problem with the original idea.
Steve's right: Having and sticking to a good plan is one of the keys to building a great 'Stang. Of course, budget is another critical element. Although building a hard-hitting Mustang within the parameters of a logical budget is possible, it's not easy.
Here's a look at the currently...
Here's a look at the currently empty engine compartment of Mase's project Mustang. The stock K-member, A-arms, rack-and-pinion assembly, and shocks are still in place. Mase sold the original Cobra engine and is using the money to fund the resto project. With a budget as shallow as this one, parlaying profit for old parts in such a manner is a smart move.
The combination of a good plan and parts-selecting/buying savvy makes managing a project's budget less nerve wracking, as we learned after speaking with Mason "Mase" Rowland of B&D Racing in Canoga Park, California. Mase is in the process of revitalizing a horribly neglected '93 Cobra to use on the dragstrip in a project he calls "Project 9s-for-10." Sure, Mase is aware that snakes of this vintage rank high on the collectible list and are appreciated more in their original trim, but that's where Steve's suggestion of making a plan and sticking to it comes into play.
"A lot of people wonder why in the world I'm making this '93 Cobra a drag car," Mase says. "The main reason is because it's mine, and because I know I can do it without going broke in the process. Mustang enthusiasts know B&D Racing for the 'Stangs we develop for street and road courses. There has been word going around that our shop can't build good drag cars. My plan is to show the doubters what we're capable of by building this Cobra to run in the 9s on a total budget of $10,000."
We like seeing projects come together according to plan, especially on the cheap. In the same vein, our own recently completed street/strip coupe showed how expensive the hobby can be. Ten Gs is an aggressive bottom line for Mase's project. Despite our reservations, we're intrigued by the 9s-for-10 idea. We caught up with Mase as he performed the first task of his plan: addressing the Cobra's dilapidated under structure using UPR's complete front and rear drag-race suspension systems.
We would love to detail every step of this clapped-out Mustang's overall resurrection, but we have the Fox 500 and many of our own tech projects that prevent us from focusing solely on this deal. But from time to time, we'll see how things are coming along as Mase gets deeper into creating a budget-built racer, which we hope will ultimately reward him with a 9-second timeslip for his dream and his efforts.
 Since the project Cobra is...  Since the project Cobra is stripped down and weighs close to nothing with the majority of its weight in the back, Mase uses straps to secure the chassis to each arm of the twin-post hoist. |  UPR's chrome-moly Pro Series...  UPR's chrome-moly Pro Series K-member kit (PN 2005-79K; $699.99) is designed for serious racing competition. Along with its powdercoated engine cradle designed for allowing maximum header and oil pan clearance, the kit includes A-arms with delrin bushings and adjustable coilovers featuring set screws. The screws allow Mase to lock in his spring settings to ensure the settings and ride height don't change. |  Before lowering the stock...  Before lowering the stock K-member, Mase removes the BBK front springs from each side. He plans to sell the lowering springs and use the earnings to finance some aspects of the project, just as he did with the 'Stang's original engine. |