Trim Components, Increasing Power Output And More - Late-Model Corral

Happy Trails
It's with a sense of joy and sadness that we have to announce Mark Houlahan's departure from Mustang Monthly. The joy part of the equation is that Mark will be moving over to our sister publication 5.0 Mustang and Super Ford as their senior technical editor. The sadness is that he's leaving us for this new adventure. He'll still be lurking around working on Project '66, but as for regular contributions, he's outta here. Personally, I'll miss working with the guy; he's funny and does a crackerjack job on anything he touches. Adios, buddy.

Now onto the other thing. You might have noticed we have a new face on the Late-Model Corral page. Miles Cook has graciously signed on to be our technical editor and late-model guru here at Mustang Monthly. Miles brings a wealth of experience and a gung-ho attitude that makes us happy he signed on the dotted line. Some readers that used to read Super Ford might remember his byline on many tech stories in that book. He's even spent some time at our sister book Car Craft-but we won't hold that against him, because when he's cut he bleeds Ford Blue. And yes, we checked to make sure.-Editor

Needs New Quarters
I own an '87 5.0 LX hatchback. It has about 59,000 miles on it and is in very good condition. I try to keep it in as-new condition as I can. I've replaced the door seals and the door-lock actuators. The problem I'm trying to correct is the vinyl strip around the rear quarter-panel windows. The strip has deteriorated some from the heat and the UV rays. The deterioration of these strips on my car is considerably less than most I've observed. However, I would like to repair these if possible. I understand this is part of the window frame. I also understand that painting is not a good option. Can you offer any advice on this?
Dean C. Glenn
League City, TX

Some people have had success in refurbishing the trim around the windows by repainting them, but since you want them to be nearly perfect, which is reasonable since you have such a low-mileage car, you might want to consider replacing them. The entire window and trim piece come as one component, so you'll need to replace the window too. Short of ordering them new from a dealer parts counter, which would probably cost big bucks, try such new/used parts outlets as Mustang Parts Specialties (MPS) in Georgia, Late-Model Restoration Supply in Texas, or Performance Parts Inc. (PPI) in Virginia. There are also likely several advertisers in Mustang Monthly or in our sister magazine 5.0 Mustang and Super Ford that sell these types of trim components for Fox-body ('79-'93) Mustangs. Both MPS and PPI have Web sites, www.stangparts.com and www.mustangparts.com, respectively. Late-Model Restoration Supply doesn't have a site up yet, but you can reach them via telephone toll free at (866) 507-3786.

Looking at the Top
I just purchased a '91 LX convertible from the second owner. The top is white and it looks original due to its condition and the fact that it has the Carlite back window, but it needs to be replaced. I want to make sure I'm replacing the top with the same color that was applied originally by Ford. But I'm confused because the top boot that's in the trunk is black and is supposedly the original one. With the data plate information, I'm hoping you can decipher it and let me know if I should reinstall a white top or switch to a black top.

Thanks in advance for your assistance.
Kurt M. Zimmerman
Richardson, TX

According to your data plate, the original top was indeed white (VR-WW). This stands for vinyl roof, or top color when it's a convertible. All boots were and still are black, no matter the top color. So the original boot is also correct.

Loves the Atlantic
I'm writing in reference to Brian Nicklas (Washington, D.C.) featured in the Aug. '01 issue. I can see why Brian loves the color so much, since I really love my car too. As a Mopar owner in my teens, I really appreciated a true musclecar, but for an everyday cruiser, a new Mustang is tough to beat. I need some basic data on my car. How much power does the 3.8L V-6 produce? How much torque? What basic modifications can I make to increase power output without going too radical? I really wanted to get a GT, but the cost of insurance ruled that out. I'm quite happy with my Atlantic Blue beauty. My car was originally a rental car in Virginia. I haven't seen any cars here in my color with the white rally stripe on the bottom. Is it possible that Ford ships limited quantities of color combinations to different states? With this being my first Mustang, I'd really like to see my letter in your informative magazine. Thanks for your time.
Mike Geffen
Kings Park, NY

Starting with the '99 models, the 3.8L V-6 Mustangs were rated at 190 hp at 5,250 rpm and 220 lb-ft of torque at 2,750 rpm. It's an impressive number when you consider the first fuel-injected '86 GTs were rated at just 200 hp. Beginning with those '99 V-6 cars, the potential for viable power upgrades really came to the forefront. If you've got the bucks, Vortech makes a supercharger kit for your car that'll probably cost you about $3,000 by the time you actually get it on the car. More reasonably priced components include exhaust systems and air intake mods. Several companies make V-6 exhaust systems, including Bassani, Borla, Flowmaster, Mac, and Pacesetter. All of these manufacturers have Web sites that use the company name followed by .com, except for Pacesetter, which is www.pacesetterexhaust.com. Furthermore, keep an eye on these pages as we might acquire an '01 V-6 Mustang project car to showcase the potential of this machine.

Besides producing more power, you'll also want to look at improving the handling capabilities of your car, especially since it has better weight distribution than a V-8-powered GT. There's less weight over the front wheels, so you can turn your car into a real canyon carver. The best part is that any suspension parts on the market today for '94-'01 Mustangs (and there are lots of them) fit all of the cars, whether it's a GT or a V-6.

Finally, if you really want to step up to the plate even more in the V-6 arena, stroker V-6 engine packages are available from Affordable Performance/Moran Racing. Located in the cold land up north, the company can be reached at Dept. MM, 501 Passmore, Unit 19, Scarborough, Ontario Canada, M1V 5G4; (416) 412-2815. These folks are now doing 4.2L strokers and might have 4.4L and 4.6L V-6 strokers available in the near future.

As for your color combo, which sounds mighty pretty, none of our staff has heard of Ford allocating certain colors to certain states. I've seen many V-6 cars with stripes on the bottom along the rocker panel, but never an Atlantic Blue one. Whatever the case, an Atlantic Blue car with a white stripe along the bottom sounds like an unusual combo.

Send your late-model questions or comments to:

Late-Model Corral
c/o Mustang Monthly
P.O. Box 7157
Lakeland, FL 33807-7157

Please include your VIN and/or data plate information, daytime phone number, and e-mail address. You may also reach us via e-mail at: latemod@emapUSA.com