Track Ready Mustang Comes With Japanese Flavor
This 1999 Ford Mustang was given a new identity thanks to a whole host of JDM upgrades.
An Unusual Starting Point
It's not everyday we see this particular combo: JDM style on an American muscle car. And although that is exactly what the owner of this beast has created, it wasn't really a life-long dream or vision. Rather, it was undertaken as a challenge. Bryan Santiago looked at this old Mustang and its out-of-date performance and saw the project of a lifetime.
Project Commences
The Mustang also came with a V6. Another item on the cons list. So when Santiago started his modifications, the first thing he did was to source a modular V8 to replace the original motor with. He also replaced the live rear axle with an independent rear suspension from a 99 Cobra.
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V6 or V8?
Interestingly, after making the swap at the rear, he found that the V6 would not only be 120 bounds lighter than the V8, it would also give the car a 50/50 weight balance. The V8 would sit further forward, therefore messing with the weight distribution. So Santiago decided to keep the V6 in place.
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JDM Parts
This is where this Mustang starts to stand out from the rest. As mentioned in the first slide, JDM parts, and American muscle cars aren't exactly the most natural combo. So it makes sense that Santiago ran into some trouble when looking for aero parts for the Mustang. He spent countless hours trying to look for cars in the Voltex catalog that was closest to the Mustang's dimensions.
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Getting Hands-On
There was plenty of fabrication that needed to be done by Santiago, as well. The front splitter was built and mounted to the chassis over a period of several weeks. He would work on the car in the few hours of free time he had each day while finishing medical school.
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Japanese Mustang?
And this is the result of Santiago's handy work. He wanted this Mustang for road racing, and it serves that purpose very well. It is often referred to as the JDM Mustang. Santiago, however, doesn't like that name. Not that there's anything wrong with JDM, but he believes that simply adding Japanese-source parts to the car doesn't make it Japanese! Whatever you call it, it's certainly a unique and refreshing creation. Read SuperStreet's full interview with Bryan Santiago here.
>>Join the conversation about this 1999 JDM inspired Mustang right here in the Mustang Source Forum!
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