For about the past three years, MM&FF has tackled a lot of projects using Three-Valve engines. We have made ridiculous power thanks to the latest forced induction components, as well as having some fun with the giggle gas stuff. Our staff has also beat the latest mod motor to death on chassis dynos, dragstrips, road courses, and even engine dynos, to show what the aftermarket has to offer. In reviewing some of the previous stories on the engine, we noticed a trend of working mostly with forced induction or simple bolt-ons. This month, we ventured to Livernois Motorsports and tackled a naturally aspirated buildup. We decided to swap the heads and camshafts on a stock engine, which was bolted up to Livernois' in-house engine dyno.

It's been said that you never want to bring a knife to a gunfight. After all, if you do, you will be at a serious disadvantage. The same can be said for waging battle on the streets and dragstrips of America. With the new Dodge Challenger now roaming the tarmac, and the Camaro about to hit showrooms with a V-6 purported to lay down 300 some-odd horsepower, the Mustang is going to have to step up its game. Thanks to companies like SLP Performance Parts, adding the necessary go-power is as easy as making a phone call.

It doesn't matter what type of Mustang (or fast Ford) you drive or where you drive it-be it on the street, at the dragstrip, or on a windy road course-tires are an integral part of your car's setup, and in many cases they will help determine the overall handling characteristics. To say the tires are anything but an essential part of the performance puzzle would be a gross understatement. But for something that is an essential element of our automotive enjoyment, there seems to be a huge number of misconceptions and incorrect information surrounding our round, mostly-rubber buddies, all of which give their rolling lives for our fun and transportation.

Every story is different and this one is unique as Carl Weinreich pushed forward with a project that produced a stunning '91 Mustang LX for his son Donald. We could just list the parts used, but the story behind this Mustang's transformation is very special. Carl is a lifetime auto body guy and hardcore car builder from Michigan. During the week, he is the auto body shop manager at a local Chevrolet dealer, but on weekends he transforms into a restoration and custom car builder. He has been in the hobby working under notable builders since he was 17, and operates a part-time car building biz, Carl's Custom Concepts. With such vast experience and a passion for cars, it's no wonder that his daughter and son both ended up with nice Fox-body Mustangs. His daughter drives a custom yellow-painted ponycar, while this outstanding orange Stang belongs to his son.

If you're a hunter, there's nothing like the adrenaline rush of having a 10-point buck in your sight. You've taken into consideration the wind, the angle of trajectory, and other obstacles. Now, slowly and stealthily, you line up the shot, hold your breath, and squeeze the trigger. With any luck, Bambi falls, and you're rewarded with a freezer full of venison and a trophy for the wall.

Championship driver, race car manufacturer, and team owner are three occupations that define Dan Gurney's career. There are many more words that can describe the Long Island, New York born wheelman. Gurney started racing in 1955, and after he retired following the 1970 Trans Am race in Riverside, California, he went on to buy and continue to own All American Racers, a company started by Carroll Shelby's Shelby America.

As the time rolled around for MM&FF to celebrate it's 20th Anniversary, Editor Smith and the NMRA's Steve Wolcott decided on holding a party for racers, fans, and MM&FF's awesome readership. The gala spectacle went down not far from MM&FF World Headquarters at Atco Raceway (Atco, New Jersey) during the popular NMRA Ford Nationals event.

While many enthusiasts believe that late-model Mustangs are only good for drag racing, there is a strong opposition to that claim and one that regularly pushes our beloved ponycar around vigorous road courses in the pursuit of faster lap times. It's all about going fast in the end.

Brian Wolfe, the new director of Ford Racing Technology, has worked for Ford for 26 years. He was chosen to replace the retiring Dan Davis because he is, first and foremost, a Ford racer, and second, an extremely talented and experienced engineer. Wolfe's previous job was as director of Ford's global powertrain calibrations, which involves the power, torque, emissions, fuel economy, and durability of every engine Ford produces worldwide.

These days it really doesn't take much to get a Mustang to rip down the quarter-mile with blindingly quick elapsed times and mind-boggling speeds. One needs to look no further than a Terminator Cobra or a Shelby GT500 with a couple of bolt-ons installed.

Horse Sense: We've done many things with feature cars, but this was the first time we helped sell one. This impossibly clean car was delivered to us from Vortech on a flatbed; after our photo shoot, we drove it to its new owner.

Horse Sense: If you want to check out the Moroso tanks in their naked aluminum form, check out a few shots on the 5.0&SF blog here.

Horse Sense: We oftentimes find ourselves marveling at the infinite wisdom (Yeah, right.-Ed.) of our leader, Editor Steve Turner, who always seems to have the right view on challenging issues. Steve believes project cars are never really "finished" when it comes to making changes and upgrades, as long as they're still in our possession. Since our last report on Project T-top Coupe ("Score to Settle," Aug '08, p. 102), we've been battling with the dilemma of when we're finally going to say "that's enough" in regard to this project. For now, the answer is never. And with that said, read on to find out the new direction we're going in with our rare coupe.

Horse Sense: Back in the day, Brian demonstrated his new Pro-shifted five-speed tranny by letting us take an easy run down the strip in his blue car. Sitting in the right seat, he said, "Yeah, it's so easy you can't miss a shift." Naturally that was our cue to immediately miss the next shift. Diplomatic as ever, Brian waved our faux pas aside, remarking on the difficulty of no-rhythm, slow runs such as the one we were on. A genuine gentleman, we've always appreciated Brian's accommodating manner and optimistic attitude.

Horse Sense: Sneaky Pete Calabrese is the vice president of the Late Model Mustang Club of Connecticut (www.lmmc-ct.com). The club boasts over 200 paying members who help raise money for charitable ventures through car shows and events. Pete has his dad, also named Peter, and his fianc, Anissa Zellman, to thank for all their help. Pete says Anissa calls the GT her beach house, since every vacation revolves around a Mustang event.

Horse Sense: Five finalists will be selected from entries at www.valvolinechallenge.com to attend the Hot Import Nights event in Miami on December 20, 2008. One will come away with possession of the Roush GT-V.

Horse Sense: Even with its reservoirs, hoses, and such, Eibach's Multi-Pro kit weighs 13 pounds less than the matching stock components. No one was more surprised than the Eibach crew, who says their kit scales 62 pounds and the stock stuff comes in at 75 pounds.

We really hope those of you who own Shelby GT500s have been faithfully reading 5.0 Mustang & Super Fords for the latest news and details on the cool upgrade components available for the special-edition 'Stangs you're fortunate enough to have parked in your driveways (including Editor Steve Turner). While we've pretty much covered all of the elaborate, Shelby-specific engine, drivetrain, suspension, and appearance parts that are currently being sold, testing bolt-on throttle bodies (which, ironically, are a lot simpler than other Shelby products we've told you about) has been uncharted territory... until now.

Horse Sense: The Stage 3 name suggests there might be other stages as well. Stage 1 ($775) consists of the PHP tune on the SCT flash tool, along with the cold-air kit. PHP's Stage 2 kit ($975) adds a 2.6-inch blower pulley (and compensating idler) and a 160-degree thermostat to the Stage 1's inclusions.

Horse Sense: Don't be confused that the Speedlab is another new model from Saleen (www.saleen.com). Saleen builds its turn-key Mustangs, and its Speedlab division offers you the opportunity to customize your Saleen or other Mustang even further.

Owner: Ashley Zollner
Location: Kingsburg, CA
Vehicle: '70 Mustang SportsRoof
Engine: 302ci V-8
Length of Ownership: 2 years
Primary Use: Restoration project (for now!)

Memories of the early '70s are sketchy at best for baby boomers now courting middle age. However, one memory from the summer of '72 is crystal clear for me personally-the day I learned both the Mustang convertible and its V-8 engine would be gone after 1973. The word was out about a smaller Mustang for '74, sans V-8 engine and convertible body style.

John Murphy goes into the inner sanctum of his cozy garage to savor that which he loves most-automobiles. He has spent the better part of his lifetime studying and enjoying American automobiles, marveling at how they were designed, manufactured, and sold. John has always felt a sense of duty to history and authenticity. He will tell you that none of us ever really owns these cars; we're just stewards to their preservation and care while we are here.

Bill Sledge was shaken to see his old '68 1/2 Mustang GT-CJ convertible at the Mid-America Performance Ford and Team Shelby Nationals in Tulsa this past summer.

It has been at least 30 years, but I will never forget my old Wimbledon White '68 Mustang fastback, a Detroit car with significant amounts of floorpan and torque box rust-and this was in 1977. I had just installed a fresh 289 built by Jan Morris at Precision Engine Machine. Jan fitted my 289 with a new Hays flywheel, clutch, and three-finger pressure plate, a 3,000-pound monster designed for drag racing.

Locks have been around for as long as 4,000 years according to reliable sources. Experts say they date back to the free-spirited Egyptians. The Romans got on board later with some of the first metal locks with springs, tumblers, and keys, similar to what we have today. Although most cars today have keyless entry, they still have the key-activated lock pioneered by the Romans. Chances are pretty good you use key locks several times per day depending on your profession and where you live. If you have charge of a variety of facilities or vehicles, keys fill your pockets with access to just about everything encountered in a given day.

Owner: Amanda Sanders
Location: Millersville, MD
Vehicle: '67 Mustang fastback
Engine: 306ci V-8
Length of Ownership: 7 years
Primary Use: Weekend driver

The ability to adjust a seat forward and back on two-door cars like Mustangs is important for various-sized drivers or for having better access to the back seat area. When dealing with vintage cars such as '65-'73 Mustangs, the seat tracks might need some attention in the form of a rebuild. After more than 40 years, some seat tracks are quite cantankerous, making it difficult to move the seat forward or back.

A lot has changed in the 25 years since Steve Saleen modified a white '84 hatchback Mustang in a California garage.