Build A Saleen Mustang Look Alike - How To: Saleen Ground Effects

Thompson removed the rear deck spoiler and test-fit the Saleen wing. The new wing fit well, and was set aside to await the rest of the parts that had yet to be test-fit and painted.

Next, Thompson removed the rear bumper cover. Again, Ford uses a plethora of the push clips. The inner panels will need to be removed in order to access the taillights and bolts holding the bumper cover.

More clips are under the car, as out front. Thompson removed these, and then went inside the trunk to remove the nuts retaining the bumper cover to the car.

With the cover hanging loose, Thompson used an air ratchet and Phillips head to loosen the screws in the wheelwell. After the screws are loosened, the cover will slip off. Be sure to remove the reflector from the cover after you yank the cover off.

The cover, as with all the other parts, will be discarded-unless you want to try to sell it on eBay.

As with everything else, Thompson test-fit the panel. The bolts and clips from the Ford panel will be reused on the Saleen items. The panel fit like a glove. Our only quandary was how to attach the filler to the gas tank area (arrow). This was solved later.

After all the panels were dry-fit, Cory Christ sprayed the RM base clear finish on all the parts to match the rest of the car. This is a nice bonus to doing new stuff. There's no need to paint the entire car-just the affected panels.

After the paint had dried on the rear bumper cover, Thompson did another test-fit prior to placing the grilles in the back panel. We suggest that you get some flat black paint to cover any factory paint that might show through once the cover is installed.

Once the cover had its screens installed and all was set, the tie-wraps included with the rear bumper cover were used to strap the filler panel to the tank.

The rear cover needs to be pulled tight with the nuts across the back panel. Be sure to work as though tightening an intake manifold-two near the center, and then one at each end to pull it tight. The rest should just spin on and cinch the panel up.

If you do plan to use the kit on a V-6 car, you'll want to invest in an exhaust system that at least duals the car out after the catalytic converters. Note how the stock pipe rubs the outer edge of the panel cutout.

Next, Thompson moved on to the cool side vents. The first order of business was to remove the seat base. Our intrepid bodyman used a flat-blade screwdriver to pop the clip for the back seat. Unfortunately, the car was too new for "cola change."