Project Commuter Stage 1

Although the car has changed, the goal for Stage 1 is still the same: Get it on the road.

I need the Project Commuter Mustang on the road as quickly as possible so that I can sell the Saturn and recoup some of the money I’ve spent to get this car up and running. Just like the previous car, that doesn’t mean I will be cutting any corners. The car has to be in good shape, a completely reliable, no-fuss daily driver that’s ready to hit the track every weekend. So, no hack jobs here.

While the work I will need to do on this car for this stage is extensive, it isn’t nearly as involved as it was on the ’87 Sedan. There’s a bad driver side seat belt retractor that will need to be “fixed.” The engine has a lot of miles, so it will require a regasket job to be reliable both on the road and the track. The clutch fork squeaks and needs to be replaced. The rear end will need its differential rebuilt. The chassis needs to have everything (read suspension and brake system) replaced as it has been extensively modified and not in a way I’m happy with. It will also require new tires on the original wheels. The body is in really nice shape, but the trim is looking pretty weather beaten, so I will have that touched up so it matches the luster of the rest of the car.

It all begins in Chapter 1! This time, however, Project Commuter WILL be finished!

5/08: The work for Stage 1 begins with the interior. Not only does the driver's seat belt squeal, the tinting needs to be removed and if that wasn't enough, there are a whole slew of repairs that ended up needing to be taken care of when doing or because of those repairs. To find out what happened, check out Chapter 2!

Steps
• Remove, repair and install or replace the driver side seat belt, as well as other interior components as needed
• Remove window tinting
• Remove, repair and install or replace drivetrain components as needed
• Remove, repair and install or replace chassis components as needed
• Test fire engine and make adjustments
• Repair paint on exterior trim
• Final detail car
• Test performance

Project Commuter Stage 1 Projections
Vehicle	1993 Ford Mustang LX Hatchback
Body	Clearcoat Black
Interior	Black Cloth Sport
Layout	Front engine/rear drive
Engine	5.0L V8 (302)
Induction	SFI; 60mm throttle body
Horsepower (Projected)	205 @ 4200 (174 rear wheel)
Torque (Projected)	275 @ 3000 (233 rear wheel)
Transmission	5-speed manual; OD
Rear End	2.73:1; limited-slip differential
Steering	Power assist
Suspension	Independant/solid
Brakes	Disc/drum; power assist
Wheels	16"x7" aluminum
Tires	225/55ZR16
Curb Weight (Projected)	3150 lbs
Gas Mileage (Projected)	25 mpg
0-60 (Projected)	7.1 sec
Quarter Mile (Projected)	15.5 @ 90
Skid Pad (Projected)	.85 g
60-0 (Projected)	135 ft
Stage 1 results are on their way!