Before we get to the heart of this month's TI, let's take our penchant for fast Mustangs out of the equation. Yes, it's a given that performance is paramount for most enthusiasts, but for this effort our focus is on another aspect of 'Stangbanging.
Another important criteria for a 'Stang's hotness is its appearance; moreso its ride height or "stance," which most 'Stangbangers wouldn't place higher than the top of a shoe. Yes, dropping a Mustang's body position is one of the other first mods that is executed shortly after taking possession of a Pony (if it hasn't already been lowered).
Of course, there are a variety of bolt-on, lowering-spring, coilover, and spindle/control-arm packages that can quickly plant your Mustang in the weeds. However, that's not our objective this month. Our mission with this exercise is to put a little additional low in our '02 Mustang GT's profile by adding a Mach I-style chin spoiler from AmericanMuscle.com.
The spoiler (PN 11005G99; $64.99), which is patterned after the OEM piece found on the '03-'04 Mach 1, is a perfect styling touch for the front of lowered New Edge 'Stangs (GT, V-6, and non-Terminator Cobras) and bolts-on in roughly 30 minutes if you have a buddy to help, as well as the necessary handtools for the job.
Although the molded one-piece, hard-rubber strip is stronger than the factory chin spoiler, its position on a New Edge Mustang--especially a Pony that has been dropped--makes it super susceptible to sustaining damage from speed bumps, parking stops, and curbs. To that end, a second element of this project is about protecting a chin spoiler (or splitter, air dam, bumper cover, and so on) from such damage by installing a cool new device that we also found in AmericanMuscle's catalog.
The Curb Alert Pro (PN 94600; $159.95) is a bolt-on, park-assist system that gives drivers an audible alert whenever contact with one of the aforementioned, usually-solid objects is imminent. Putting this warning system in place is a do-it-yourself enterprise that shouldn't take more than an hour to finish. While the chin spoiler does require drilling a series of 1?4-inch holes for its included fasteners, the Curb Alert Pro technically mounts to a Pony's bumper cover without any drilling or cutting. However, as you'll see in the photos and captions of our slightly custom version of the basic installation procedures (performed by Saul "The Surgeon" Gutierrez of Extreme Automotive), our Pony's spoiler does undergo a little razor-blade trimming, which allows us to position the alert's sensor where we believe it will be most effective--incorporated directly into the spoiler.
Pre-installing the chin spoiler...
Pre-installing the chin spoiler is recommended. The unit's instructions call for tucking the spoiler a 1/4-inch back from the front of the front of the bumper, as it is on '03-'04 Mach 1s. However, we like the flush-with-the-bumper look, and set our 'Stang's spoiler up as a true extension of the bumper. Note that self-tapping Tec screws are used for the initial fitment. The holes created by the screws are used as reference points for drilling 1/4-inch holes for the spoiler's actual mounting hardware.
Our Pony's stance definitely...
Our Pony's stance definitely is low and mean, which makes clearance with such stationary objects as parking stops only about 3 inches at best. A chin spoiler, splitter, or other low-hanging accessory at the front of a lowered Mustang is directly in the path of grave danger if caution isn't exercised when pulling forward into a parking space.
The Curb Alert Pro system...
The Curb Alert Pro system is comprised of three basic parts: a sensor in a weatherproof housing (center), a sensor calibration module (right), and an alarm (left). The kit also includes all wiring, zip-ties, and calibration instructions.
Because AmericanMuscle's Mach...
Because AmericanMuscle's Mach 1-style chin spoiler (PN 11005G99; $64.99) is folded into a box for shipping, the spoiler must be removed and must sit for approximately 24 hours, before attempting to install it. While the down time is intended to allow the part to fully unfold and take its proper shape, we found that placing the spoiler directly in the sun's path is a good way to accelerate this process. The spoilers can be painted to match a Pony's body color. We decided to keep the natural black hue on ours.
For the record, installing...
For the record, installing a Curb Alert Pro does not require any cutting--or drilling, for that matter. However, we thought it would be cool to incorporate the unit's sensor into the chin spoiler. Saul uses a razor blade to carefully trace the sensor's outline on the chin spoiler. Once the hole is created, the sensor is positioned and mounted on the spoiler using the supplied bracket and two-way adhesive tape (note, we backed the adhesive up with a Tec screw, to ensure the sensor stays put).
This calibration module contains...
This calibration module contains the alert system's software and is the only piece of the plug-and-play system that requires wiring functions--basically, tying the unit's red wire into a constant 12-volt power source and securing its black wire to a solid ground. The system powers up only per the alternator's charge, so it will not drain a 'Stang's battery when the car is parked.
Curb Alert Pro's alarm features...
Curb Alert Pro's alarm features two volume settings (High and Low), and both actually are fairly loud, emitting a piercing sound that's similar to a home smoke alarm. While the alarm can be mounted anywhere (it secures with two-sided adhesive tape), we put it in the glovebox on the High volume setting. With the glovebox closed, the volume is perfect when the alarm sounds.
The alert's sensor uses advanced...
The alert's sensor uses advanced infra-red triangulation technology to determine the proximity of potentially damaging objects (curbs, parking stops, and so on) as you approach them. After calibrating our 'Stang's new system, our tests confirmed the Curb Alert Pro provides a solid, audible warning of objects that range from 8 to 28 inches away from the new chin spoiler. That's perfect protection for less than $200 and an hour of your time.
The alert's sensor uses advanced...
The alert's sensor uses advanced infra-red triangulation technology to determine the proximity of potentially damaging objects (curbs, parking stops, and so on) as you approach them. After calibrating our 'Stang's new system, our tests confirmed the Curb Alert Pro provides a solid, audible warning of objects that range from 8 to 28 inches away from the new chin spoiler. That's perfect protection for less than $200 and an hour of your time.