Ford Mustang Modern Performance Modifications Guide

No More Points
If your distributor is still operating with those finicky ignition points, then you're way behind the times. For over 10 years, vintage Mustang owners have been upgrading to the PerTronix Ignitor electronic ignition conversions. In fact, it's the most popular modern upgrade for vintage Mustangs. Now PerTronix offers an upgraded version of its Ignitor and Ignitor II systems. Think of the Ignitor III as the first ignition box located completely inside your distributor. It features multiple sparks throughout the entire rpm range as well as a rev-limiter that is set by the car owner. Offering five times more spark energy than points, the Ignitor III is an easy replacement for points so you'll never have to adjust points again. And like the other PerTronix systems, it hides under your distributor cap.

Integral Power Steering
With Borgeson Universal's power steering conversion kits for '65-'70 Mustangs, you get true modern power steering feel and feedback. The kits feature the new Borgeson integral power steering conversion box with a quick 16:1 ratio and modern rotary valve. A direct bolt-in to the factory mounting location, the Borgeson conversion uses the original pitman arm and fits with no modifications to the shock tower. Best of all, it eliminates the leaky factory system. Note: The Borgeson conversion box will not fit cars with the factory four-speed Z-bar-style clutch linkage.

Brighter Signal
Mustang Project continues to light up our Mustangs with new LED technology. Their latest product is LED turn-signals for '65-'68 Mustangs. Each lamp features over 100 amber LEDs plus an ultra-bright white projection LED in the center. The unique dual-mode operation is white when the parking lights are on and amber when the turn signal is activated. Also, the front turn signals blink a half-second on and half-second off regardless of rear blink rate, which is great when you want a faster front blinker and but slower rear blinker for sequential taillights. Easy to install, the MP-AUS-1157-RFB turn-signals look original until the lights are activated.

Tilted Wheel
Tilt steering columns didn't find their way into Mustangs until the '67 model year, and even then they were bulky with their vacuum-operated "tilt-away" operation. Now you can get a made-to-fit tilt steering column for '65-'66 Mustangs with ididit's new Ford Top Shaft and Ford Turn Signal Switch steering column. With 8-position tilt, the column includes a new floor mount, Mustang-style knobs and handles, and male and female plugs with terminals. It accepts a stock Mustang steering wheel or an aftermarket wheel with an adaptor. By using the stock underdash mount and a coupler, installation is a breeze. The column is available in paintable steel, chrome, and black powdercoat.

Master Power
Every new car today has power brakes. But that wasn't the case in the 1960s when most Mustangs came with non-power four-wheel drums. But even with old-style drums, you can add power-assist with Master Power's conversion kit. The Master Power kit includes a compact 9-inch power booster with dual master cylinder, vacuum hose, and a 90-degree vacuum fitting. Also included is a longer brake pedal, which achieves the same level of mechanical advantage as a stock Ford power brake pedal. Everything needed to get the job done is included except brake fluid.

Strut Your Stuff
Like most cars from the 1960s, '65-'73 Mustangs suffer from poor geometry due to the minimal demands of the tires and traffic of their day. Today's roads and superior tire traction require updates to make these cars work as well as they look. By installing Fatman Fabrication's strut-type suspension, based on '94-'04 Mustang parts, you can eliminate bump steer while gaining an adjustable ride height with either coilover or AirRide springs, along with five-lug disc brakes (15-inch or larger wheels required). A recent upgrade to the kit includes the use of newer Ford rack-and-pinion steering with larger tie rods and a different U-joint connection that allows more room for headers. The TIG-welded tubular lower control arms eliminate the strut rods and attach to a new K-member plate, which bolts to the original lower control arm mounts and reinforces the body. Since the McPherson strut suspension eliminates the upper control arms, you can choose to trim the fenders.

Cable Clutch
Vintage Mustangs originally used a mechanical clutch linkage that was prone to adjustment problems, not to mention bent Z-bars and snapped adjustment rods when upgrading to a performance clutch system. Modern Driveline can end those woes with their cable clutch conversion kit, which replaces the mechanical linkage with a modern cable setup. The kit includes a firewall bracket/plate, cable with adjustments at both ends, heat insulator wrap, adjustable clutch pedal mechanism, clutch rod opening rubber plug, and all installation hardware.

Switch to Discs
Performance Online, Inc. offers an affordable front disc brake conversion kit for '65-'67 Mustangs. Priced at $499.99, the kit mounts to the original spindles, making installation a snap. The kit includes 11-inch standard rotors, four-piston cast-iron calipers, bearings, seals, dust caps, spindle nuts, rubber brake hoses, and all mounting brackets and hardware. Performance Online recommends using one of their power brake boosters for best results. Versions also available for '68-'73 Mustangs.

Sport Seats
There was nothing modern about the original Mustang bucket seats. So TMI Products, which offers a wide selection of vintage Mustang upholstery, has come up with an updated conversion. Designed to look similar to the original seats, the TMI Sport Seat conversion provides a racier appearance and more support with larger bolsters on the seat bottoms and backs. Sold in packaged sets, the Sport Seat upholstery is available in a broad selection of materials and designs that make it easy to recreate the original Mustang look or custom design your own unique interior.

Cradle Rack
Flaming River has added a new power rack-and-pinion to their popular '65-'70 Mustang Cradle Kit. A completely new unit, the kits add pure driving comfort and true steering performance to any classic Mustang. The cradle mounts in the original chassis location utilizing the mounting holes from the steering box and idler arm. There is no modification to the original chassis and the factory crossmember does not need to be removed. The rack has over six inches of travel and provides an adjustable pinion angle. Because it is a new unit, there is no core charge.

Interval Wipers
Intermittent wipers didn't appear as a Mustang option until 1970, but thanks to Mustangs Plus, you can add them to your '65-'73 Mustang. The interval Wiper Kit is easy to install- almost as simple as changing the wiper switch. There's no complicated wiring, just a switch and microprocessor combo designed to fit in place of the original wiper switch. Operation is simple: turn clockwise to "On" to get the wipers started. Keep rolling the switch clockwise to decrease wiper frequency and counterclockwise to increase.

Modern AM/FM
When you can add modern conveniences without affecting appearance, then you've got an ultimate modern upgrade. The USA-66 AM/FM receiver from Custom Autosound adds FM capability to '65-'66 Mustangs with the factory AM radio, plus it provides 200 watts of stereo power, a dedicated input for CA's 10-disc remote CD player, an auxiliary input for iPods and other MP3 players, and line-out connections for an amplifier. Best of all, it looks and fits just like a factory AM/FM radio with push buttons, which in this case serve as switches for the various functions.