If you've been following our Project Street Fighter Mustang, you already know how closely we've been working with Chassisworks' company, Total Control Products, on getting this '66 ready to hit the street and the track. We've swept the factory suspension garbage out and replaced them with TCP parts, converting coil springs and leaf springs to a four-corner coilover setup complete with rack-and-pinion steering and big Wilwood brakes. Everything we've done to the car including shoehorning a 560-horse Smeding Performance Windsor between the fenders will test the limits of this unibody platform Pony car. Since we've heard reports of broken windshields due to the flex from the unmodified factory chassis, we don't want to leave that to chance.
A couple months ago we bolted in Total Control Products' engine bay braces and welded in the Chassisworks six-point rollcage kit to start firming up this tin can. We're completing our efforts to strengthen the body with Total Control Product's subframe connectors, center support brace, and driveshaft loop. These three parts work together to keep the previously unsupported section of the Mustang's belly tight through the turns. Total Control Products makes these sets for Mustangs and Cougars in all of their years through 1970 for both hardtop and convertible models. You can purchase these items individually, or as a set, resulting in a pretty deep discount.
Not everybody is lucky enough to have access to a lift, so we do the best we can with a jack and jackstands. We placed the jacks under the suspension to simulate the car being on the ground, which is important when adding chassis stiffening equipment. The last thing you want to do is weld in connectors while the body is tweaked.
The installation process couldn't be more simple and straightforward. Before you begin, the Total Control Products instructions dictate that you measure the distance between the front frame section to see if the car has extensive frame damage that might not allow the center brace to fit between the 'rails. If this specification is met, the entire installation will be smooth sailing. If not, a little massaging with a hammer may be necessary to restore the proper dimension to the stock subframe. Some advice to give someone embarking on this project themselves is to expect to reroute your exhaust, fuel lines, and battery cables-if equipped. This piece is solid, meaning it takes up some significant real estate. Leaving these finishing tasks until after the brace is installed is ideal. That way you won't be retracing your steps. As with any other welding project, the more time and effort you spend cleaning the metal for welding, the less it will fight you along the way. Dirty metal makes for porous and contaminated welds that will not stand the test of time. Many manufactures claim their parts are "bolt in" or "direct fit," but Total Control Products truly delivers with these high-quality productions.
WHERE THE MONEY WENT ITEM: PN: PRICE: Total Control Products Subframe connector kit TCP-SUBFC-01 $229 Center support TCP-SUBCS-01 $295 Driveshaft loop TCP-DSL-01 $95 All three parts (discount package) $498
THE COST SO FAR ITEM: PHR ISSUE: PRICE: The car $3,800 Battery replace and relocation (11/08) $299 Radiator and fans (12/08) $1,398.12 Spindles, front brakes, wheels tires (1/09) $3,067.04 Trunk rehab and tool box (2/09) $40.48 Rack-and-pinion steering, column, and wheel (4/09) $3,012 9-inch rear and brakes (5/09) $4,631.02 Rear suspension (6/09) $2,918 Front suspension (7/09) $3,034 Engine bay cleanup with engine sale (8/09) -$394.75 Smeding 427 Windsor (9/09) $9,995 Keisler five-speed swap (10/09) $4,181.55 Paint and body supplies (3/10) $1,607.85 Engine brace (6/10) $459 Rollcage (7/10) $628.95 Wiring harness (8/10) $659 JME gauge pod and glove door (9/10) $1,175.90 Interior overhaul with seat sale (current) $1,219.83 Subframe connectors, center support, and loop $498 Total $42,229.99
