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Cars, Mustangs

Gray Ghost \\ 2004 Ford Mustang Mach 1

Sticky

The Mach 1, a name that has long ago become legendary in the world of Mustangs, was reintroduced in 2003 by Ford with a 4th generation Mustang. It received a 305hp, naturally aspirated version of the DOHC, aluminum block engine found in the SVT Cobra of the same year, albeit with a higher compression ratio, modified camshafts ensuring enough torque in the street usable RPM range, and also a higher RPM limiter. Although on paper less powerful than the 320hp, naturally aspirated SVT Cobras of 1999 through 2001, the Mach 1 saw higher torque numbers throughout the middle end. A slouch it was not. Unlike the SVT Cobras, however, the Mach 1 did not receive an independent rear suspension, but stuck with the 8.8″ rear end found on the regular Mustang GT.

Visually the Mach 1 received a slew of upgrades over the regular Mustang GT, most inspired by its 1970 Mach 1 ancestor. This include hood and side stripes, interior, and a functional ram air, shaker hood scoop.

With the end of 4th generation Mustang in 2004, this particular Mach 1 is the last of the Machs. It has seen a slew of personal modifications by its owner, as well as a series of carefully thought out functional modifications making it one of the better handling Mach 1s, certainly better than any stock Mach 1 ever produced by Ford.

  • Custom fender vents, shift handle, center caps, and enlarged hood scoop
  • 2004 SVT Cobra independent rear suspension swap
  • Fr500 18×9” wheels
  • H&R lowering springs
  • 4.30:1 gears
  • Bassani x-pipe with cats, and mufflers
  • King cobra clutch, and aluminum flywheel
  • Smoked Tail lights, and LED interior accent lights

Gallery Link: 2004 Ford Mustang Mach 1

 

 

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Cars, Other

Slow Hawk \\ 2002 Pontiac Firehawk

The Firehawk was a limited edition Firebird, produced by SLP Engineering, and sold through Pontiac dealers. Power output from the C5 Corvette sourced LS1 went up to an eventual 345hp in 2002, 40hp more than its first use in the 1998 Firebird and Camaro, through a series of intake and exhaust modification and upgrades.

With 2002 being the last production year of the Firebird, and Pontiac itself shutting its doors in 2010, the Firehawk may just have been the last and greatest of the 4th generation F-body Firebirds. Only 540 black Firehawks, out of 1501 total, were made in 2002, and this is one of them.

Kyle’s Firechicken, while stock appearing on the outside, does have a little done under the hood, resulting in approx. 390hp to the rear wheels, or an estimated 440hp on the flywheel, almost 100 more than its stock output:

  • F13 cam, PRC dual valve springs, hardened pushrods, LS2 timing chain, and LS6 intake manifold.
  • SLP Blackwing intake, and LS6 intake manifold.
  • ASP underdrive pulleys.
  • Pacesetter long tube headers, with a Flowtech cutout, and SLP exhaust.
  • Bilstein suspension.
  • Motive 4.10:1 gears in the rear

Gallery link: 2002 Pontiac Firehawk

 

 

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