DMichaels Build Thread
12/16/14, 05:59 PM
#1
Shelby GT350 Member
Thread Starter
DMichaels Build Thread
Figured why not start a build thread. I'll have to grab some more pictures of a few other things I've done, but quick start below.
Ordered my car in April, 2013
Picked up the car June 4, 2013
Before all that, What started it all was a business trip to San Diego where I got a free upgrade to a 2012 Grabber Blue Mustang GT. Fortunately, that particular trip was one my wife came out for for a couple days, and she loved the car (which is shocking since she has zero interest in cars...). That was January 2013 timeframe. Her words were "I really like this car, you should sell your Audi and get one"
3 weeks later my S4 was sold
And then let the games begin...
Car that started it all (rental in Cali)
Only time I would ever let my wife sit on a car hood... rental...
June 4, 2013 - car picked up and the "cleanest picture ever" taken in front of my house.
"Cleanest wheels ever" picture on day 1
Putting it on the dyno for fun. 376 whp
Ordered my car in April, 2013
Picked up the car June 4, 2013
Before all that, What started it all was a business trip to San Diego where I got a free upgrade to a 2012 Grabber Blue Mustang GT. Fortunately, that particular trip was one my wife came out for for a couple days, and she loved the car (which is shocking since she has zero interest in cars...). That was January 2013 timeframe. Her words were "I really like this car, you should sell your Audi and get one"
3 weeks later my S4 was sold
And then let the games begin...
Car that started it all (rental in Cali)
Only time I would ever let my wife sit on a car hood... rental...
June 4, 2013 - car picked up and the "cleanest picture ever" taken in front of my house.
"Cleanest wheels ever" picture on day 1
Putting it on the dyno for fun. 376 whp
Last edited by dmichaels; 12/16/14 at 06:13 PM.
12/16/14, 06:09 PM
#2
Shelby GT350 Member
Thread Starter
GT500 mufflers installed
Very sad day... rear end got way loose on a very cold morning and put me into a guard rail as I was COMPLETELY unprepared to catch the car... lesson learned.
Car fixed and trying out the new track wheels (2008 GT500 wheels)
Suspension in! Koni STR.T's with SR springs, GT500 mounts, FR jounce bumpers, and BMR panhard bar
Installation of the Street Scene aka Stillen splitter
Brake Ducting re-route (didn't post the initial brake ducting installation)
Installation of my oil catch can for some testing. I had great results with this RX can setup and ended up keeping it over the other setup I tried
Pictures in action with Enkei PF01 wheels and BFGoodrich R1 tires
One of my favorite track pictures - the massive smile on my friend's face pretty much tells the whole story of how I drive and how the car performs
Very sad day... rear end got way loose on a very cold morning and put me into a guard rail as I was COMPLETELY unprepared to catch the car... lesson learned.
Car fixed and trying out the new track wheels (2008 GT500 wheels)
Suspension in! Koni STR.T's with SR springs, GT500 mounts, FR jounce bumpers, and BMR panhard bar
Installation of the Street Scene aka Stillen splitter
Brake Ducting re-route (didn't post the initial brake ducting installation)
Installation of my oil catch can for some testing. I had great results with this RX can setup and ended up keeping it over the other setup I tried
Pictures in action with Enkei PF01 wheels and BFGoodrich R1 tires
One of my favorite track pictures - the massive smile on my friend's face pretty much tells the whole story of how I drive and how the car performs
Last edited by dmichaels; 12/24/14 at 02:28 PM.
12/16/14, 08:35 PM
#3
Mach 1 Member
Join Date: March 27, 2014
Location: Winnipeg, MB
Posts: 919
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Love it man. Now just add links for each mod step to your detailed individual mod threads and I'll only need one link when I research stuff. 
Great car, great pics, great videos, great advice...definitely a huge credit to the community. Bravo!
Great car, great pics, great videos, great advice...definitely a huge credit to the community. Bravo!
12/17/14, 06:29 AM
#4
Shelby GT350 Member
Thread Starter
Couple pictures of the Russell SS brake lines (front pics only, did all 4 corners though)
Last edited by dmichaels; 12/24/14 at 02:29 PM.
12/17/14, 04:54 PM
#6
Shelby GT350 Member
Thread Starter
Yes, traction was 100% disabled... was in 4th gear, rolled on the gas and the rear whipped out and caught me off guard. Very unfortunate, but you can guess what I'll never, ever do again!
12/18/14, 06:46 PM
#7
Shelby GT350 Member
Thread Starter
APR wheel studs showed up today I've recently been reading up on how inadequate the OEM studs are for serious tracking of the car with sticky tires. These will also be nice because they are longer than OEM for easier wheel swapping. Will be installing next week and I'll post a few new pictures too
I've recently been reading up on how inadequate the OEM studs are for serious tracking of the car with sticky tires. These will also be nice because they are longer than OEM for easier wheel swapping. Will be installing next week and I'll post a few new pictures too
12/19/14, 10:31 AM
#9
Shelby GT350 Member
Thread Starter
On the street though, I almost exclusively run the advanced track mode (the quick double press of the TCS button). I've rarely had it kick in on the street, only when ambient temps are really low.
12/19/14, 11:47 AM
#10
Banned
Join Date: August 2, 2013
Location: Little north of Stuttgart, Germany
Posts: 3,090
Received 254 Likes
on
230 Posts
I almost always have it fully off. I do leave it on when it's wet out though, since I'm not racing. But if I put it in "advanced track" mode, the car gets upset with some of my driving and really works the rear brakes.
On the street though, I almost exclusively run the advanced track mode (the quick double press of the TCS button). I've rarely had it kick in on the street, only when ambient temps are really low.
On the street though, I almost exclusively run the advanced track mode (the quick double press of the TCS button). I've rarely had it kick in on the street, only when ambient temps are really low.
12/24/14, 03:17 PM
#12
Shelby GT350 Member
Thread Starter
Project Rear Seat Delete is commencing as well - carpet on order, rear seats removed. This weekend I'll be buying some sort of plywood, and I'll be making templates for the bottom and back. Hopefully I can get everything shaped and drilled for bolts by the time the carpet arrives! Pictures to come....
12/24/14, 03:45 PM
#13
Mach 1 Member
Join Date: March 27, 2014
Location: Winnipeg, MB
Posts: 919
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Project Rear Seat Delete is commencing as well - carpet on order, rear seats removed. This weekend I'll be buying some sort of plywood, and I'll be making templates for the bottom and back. Hopefully I can get everything shaped and drilled for bolts by the time the carpet arrives! Pictures to come....
12/24/14, 03:47 PM
#14
Great thread man. Keep those images coming. Car looks great. You know the ladies love that Grabber blue color, that's why the wife was on board. Grabber Blue or Race Red, they love both. Good call. Nice job on the mods.
By the way I'm sure you're aware but just in case you can buy the rear seat delete kit complete.
http://www.americanmuscle.com/seat-delete-kit-05.html
By the way I'm sure you're aware but just in case you can buy the rear seat delete kit complete.
http://www.americanmuscle.com/seat-delete-kit-05.html
Last edited by 3point7; 12/24/14 at 03:53 PM.
12/24/14, 04:05 PM
#15
Shelby GT350 Member
Thread Starter
Looking forward to this one. It's something I've been pondering as well, though not as much for weight reduction at the track as it is simply that the seat is useless and would be much more comfortable for my standard poodle without them in there...and easier for her to get in and out. #mydogsaremykids (sorry)
I'll definitely post some good pictures of the process as I work through this. Shouldn't be a bad project compared with the full interior carpet job I did with my friend on his '86 911 a couple months ago. I'm largely doing this to support the Watson roll bar I will be installing a bit later this winter...
12/24/14, 04:07 PM
#16
Shelby GT350 Member
Thread Starter
Great thread man. Keep those images coming. Car looks great. You know the ladies love that Grabber blue color, that's why the wife was on board. Grabber Blue or Race Red, they love both. Good call. Nice job on the mods.
By the way I'm sure you're aware but just in case you can buy the rear seat delete kit complete.
http://www.americanmuscle.com/seat-delete-kit-05.html
By the way I'm sure you're aware but just in case you can buy the rear seat delete kit complete.
http://www.americanmuscle.com/seat-delete-kit-05.html
Yep, I am aware of the kits. I spent $26 on carpet, will spend about $15 on "structure" aka thin plywood most likely, and maybe $5 for glue... so probably will save about $100 over one of the kits. Money saved will go towards things I can't build
12/24/14, 04:50 PM
#17
I have gotten a lot of comments on the car color. I really do like it... appreciate the compliments too!
Yep, I am aware of the kits. I spent $26 on carpet, will spend about $15 on "structure" aka thin plywood most likely, and maybe $5 for glue... so probably will save about $100 over one of the kits. Money saved will go towards things I can't build
Yep, I am aware of the kits. I spent $26 on carpet, will spend about $15 on "structure" aka thin plywood most likely, and maybe $5 for glue... so probably will save about $100 over one of the kits. Money saved will go towards things I can't build
Yea I have always liked the Grabber Blue color. I think its one of the best colors they ever offered on the S197 car and was disappointed when they dropped it. The plus is that it will just make your car more collectible in years to come. Mine is Race Red and lets face it, they're always going to offer red on the Mustang, lol.
12/26/14, 09:23 PM
#18
Bullitt Member
Very nice thread, and car. You helped me decide on my suspension choice and I got to say I love how my car handles now, i did not think it would handle this good. I cant even feel the live axle anymore very impressed.
Also I was wondering how you like the brake lines, do you recommend it for a street car? I want a slightly more firm brake feel.
Also I was wondering how you like the brake lines, do you recommend it for a street car? I want a slightly more firm brake feel.
12/27/14, 12:48 PM
#19
Shelby GT350 Member
Thread Starter
Very nice thread, and car. You helped me decide on my suspension choice and I got to say I love how my car handles now, i did not think it would handle this good. I cant even feel the live axle anymore very impressed.
Also I was wondering how you like the brake lines, do you recommend it for a street car? I want a slightly more firm brake feel.
Also I was wondering how you like the brake lines, do you recommend it for a street car? I want a slightly more firm brake feel.
The brake lines add very little for street driving in my opinion. If you're on OEM pads, consider doing a swap to a slightly more aggressive pad that has more initial bite. It would improve brake feel more than SS lines in my opinion. But the SS lines do help a tiny bit for street driving and they are fairly cheap, plus very easy to install. Certainly not a bad thing to do.
Consider a full brake flush with high temp fluid such as Motul RBF600. It's perfectly fine for the street and I think it helps with the brake feel a bit too.
12/27/14, 02:32 PM
#20
Bullitt Member
Thanks - glad you like the suspension as well. It does transform the car! The brake lines add very little for street driving in my opinion. If you're on OEM pads, consider doing a swap to a slightly more aggressive pad that has more initial bite. It would improve brake feel more than SS lines in my opinion. But the SS lines do help a tiny bit for street driving and they are fairly cheap, plus very easy to install. Certainly not a bad thing to do. Consider a full brake flush with high temp fluid such as Motul RBF600. It's perfectly fine for the street and I think it helps with the brake feel a bit too.
