Custom Black dash, Meziere 20GPM pump, JPC Custom I/C Tank Installed!!

[06281E]

So i finally got around to putting some work into my car! Got the new dash kit installed with all black panels and then painted the AC and cluster chrome bezels in a wrinkle textured black paint. Got rid of the window switch plates for black ones from a GT500, and thanks to Barricade i got rid of the silver steering wheel spokes! I also got a great deal on a slightly used custom JPC intercooler tank from JDM, and put that in with a Meziere 20gpm pump, I did everything myself and it took about 4 hours after the dash had already been painted, thank the net for DIYers!

The combination of the larger tank and the higher flowing pump made a huge impact on AIT's, Finally!! The H/E with the fans did not do enough for me with the boost levels i am running, after a pull in any weather above 70's i would be past 140 on the AIT gauge after the run and timing would be getting pulled and power reduced. Now i can't wait for a cold day and a dynojet! The pic of the AIT gauge was taken when it was starting to get dark and was about 84 degrees outside and i had just ran through 3rd into 4th shifting at about 6,000rpm. The car felt insane and i lost traction on my 315's right at the top of 3rd and shifted peeling out into 4th. The car just feels like a monster all day now and i love it! It made 547whp and the AIT's were at about 165 after the run so i am anxiously waiting to see how much more power she puts down now that i can keep the AIT's down and no timing will be pulled! Nice to know that worst case scenario she still makes 550whp!

[06silverS281]

Looks good

[XxBoostinxX]

I'm digging that dash! What did you use to paint it?

[06281E]

Originally Posted by XxBoostinxX

I'm digging that dash! What did you use to paint it?

I found a guy on Craigslist with all black dash panels for about $180, but then it still had all of the chrome on the vents and the cluster. I took the chrome bezel part out of the cluster (This was a big pain in the a$$) and painted the bezels and the cluster with a black primer and let that dry, then painted over the primer with a can of VHT high temp wrinkle plus textured paint. It sprays on like normal black paint but then after you leave it overnight it has that textured look and feel to it. I think it was made for valve covers because of the high temp but it came out really nice on the dash parts. I wanted something a little different than just regular flat black and this worked out great!

[XxBoostinxX]

Originally Posted by 06281E

I found a guy on Craigslist with all black dash panels for about $180, but then it still had all of the chrome on the vents and the cluster. I took the chrome bezel part out of the cluster (This was a big pain in the a$$) and painted the bezels and the cluster with a black primer and let that dry, then painted over the primer with a can of VHT high temp wrinkle plus textured paint. It sprays on like normal black paint but then after you leave it overnight it has that textured look and feel to it. I think it was made for valve covers because of the high temp but it came out really nice on the dash parts. I wanted something a little different than just regular flat black and this worked out great!

Oh ok, cool! The wrinkled bezels look surprisingly good. If you wouldn't of included pics I would of been skeptical.

[Barricade]

Now get Steve to sign it with his Silver pen!

[06281E]

Originally Posted by Barricade

Now get Steve to sign it with his Silver pen!

If he tried to touch my car with a pen i would hit him with the Taser! lol

[Barricade]

Welcome to the black dash club

[06281E]

Originally Posted by Barricade

Welcome to the black dash club

The few.. The proud.. lol

The only things i left silver are the door sills with the Saleen on them and the door handles.. I figured that if i made the door handles black no one would be able to get out of the car. lol

[Barricade]

You left the door switch plate silver right??

[06281E]

Originally Posted by Barricade

You left the door switch plate silver right??

No, got black ones from a GT500..

[Roadfoolsride]

Looks nice. I like my dash silver, but I do need to dull down that chrome in there!

[06281E]

Originally Posted by Barricade

You left the door switch plate silver right??

Here's a pic of the switch plates that replaced the silver ones..

[XxBoostinxX]

Originally Posted by 06281E

If he tried to touch my car with a pen i would hit him with the Taser! lol

I lol'd!

Originally Posted by 06281E

Here's a pic of the switch plates that replaced the silver ones..

I like that a lot! I need to find me some! There's a guy on the s197 forum that changes the led's in the switch plates and all the other interior buttons. If your interested in getting rid of that ugly *** green that is. Lol

[FR500GT]

Originally Posted by XxBoostinxX

... There's a guy on the s197 forum that changes the led's in the switch plates and all the other interior buttons. If your interested in getting rid of that ugly *** green that is. Lol

He did the red LED conversion for my car...it's a must!

[sidvicious]

Dash looks great. That's the great thing about Mustangs. Even though your car is unique in its own right, you have made it even more so. The customization possibilities with these cars seem endless; and that's what makes them so cool IMO.

[06281E]

Originally Posted by sidvicious

Dash looks great. That's the great thing about Mustangs. Even though your car is unique in its own right, you have made it even more so. The customization possibilities with these cars seem endless; and that's what makes them so cool IMO.

I agree! I just got tired of the 2 tone scheme going on with the interior. I always liked a solid color for the dash, even going back to the 94-98 mustangs, i hated when they had the black and tan dashboards.

[06281E]

The next mods on my list are 3.73 gears to replace the 4.10's.. I think with the power i am making 4.10's would be great with a 4 speed auto trans but with the 6 speed 1st and 2nd gears and the top of 3rd are now rendered useless due to wheel spin.lol. Other than that I am trying to get a set of the 5 spoke Saleen wheels in black and then change the decals on the car to black and then i should be done for a while..

[XxBoostinxX]

Originally Posted by 06281E

The next mods on my list are 3.73 gears to replace the 4.10's.. I think with the power i am making 4.10's would be great with a 4 speed auto trans but with the 6 speed 1st and 2nd gears and the top of 3rd are now rendered useless due to wheel spin.lol. Other than that I am trying to get a set of the 5 spoke Saleen wheels in black and then change the decals on the car to black and then i should be done for a while..

I don't think it's the gears, I think you need a stickier tire!

[06281E]

Originally Posted by XxBoostinxX

I don't think it's the gears, I think you need a stickier tire!

I am running a 315 Nitto NT-05 rear tire, along with a drag radial i think the 3.73's will help with 1st and 2nd gears. Even Saleen dropped the 4.10's after 2008 on the S302 Extremes, I'm sure it was because as they made more power the 4.10's made the car harder to drive.

[XxBoostinxX]

Originally Posted by 06281E

I am running a 315 Nitto NT-05 rear tire, along with a drag radial i think the 3.73's will help with 1st and 2nd gears. Even Saleen dropped the 4.10's after 2008 on the S302 Extremes, I'm sure it was because as they made more power the 4.10's made the car harder to drive.

Your running the NT05r and still spinning? Or you still spin on your radial set up? You might be right, it very well could be your gears but I would think you could correct it some before changing gears.

[06281E]

Originally Posted by XxBoostinxX

Your running the NT05r and still spinning? Or you still spin on your radial set up? You might be right, it very well could be your gears but I would think you could correct it some before changing gears.

I am running the regular NT-05 not the R compound drag radial. It is still a 315 and a big tire. To go into a DR i have to drop down to a 305. I think 4.10 with over 550whp and a 6 speed trans is just hard to drive.. 3.73's will make things easier, especially in 1st gear..

[06281E]

By the way has anyone ever gone down to 3.73 from 4.10?

[mikebna]

Originally Posted by 06281E

By the way has anyone ever gone down to 3.73 from 4.10?

Yes, I have seen some that have. Some of the Extreme's that were tested at the airstrip in Irvine ran the 3.73 and were said to have gone past the 200mph mark. (I got this info from a very reliable source that was there.)

[06281E]

Originally Posted by mikebna

Yes, I have seen some that have. Some of the Extreme's that were tested at the airstrip in Irvine ran the 3.73 and were said to have gone past the 200mph mark. (I got this info from a very reliable source that was there.)

Dayumm! Next mod! lol

I also heard that you would see an increase of about 8% in HP on the dyno going down from 4.10's to 3.73's which will be nice and also explain why the S302E cars are making much better numbers than the S281E car numbers. 8% for my car would be like 43hp..

[kss113]

Very nice. Where did yo uget your black out kit for the interior?

[06281E]

Originally Posted by kss113

Very nice. Where did yo uget your black out kit for the interior?

Thanks! I found a guy on craigslist and got the dash trim kit, then painted all the chrome pieces myself.. Found the black switch plates on Ebay..

[OxfordS281]

very nice. awesome car btw

[06281E]

Originally Posted by OxfordS281

very nice. awesome car btw

Thanks! I will be even more awesome when i get my hands on a set of those black powder coated Saleen 5 spokes!!

[06281E]

Some finished product!

I think i will replace the rusty bolts on the Saleen brakes.. Good one Saleen/Stoptech, never heard of SS hardware on $4000 brakes? lol

[XxBoostinxX]

****! Looks good bro! I'm wanting to redo my brakes screws and powdercoat my calipers as well. The five spokes show soooo much more of the brakes than the seven spokes and mine look like ****! Let me know if you come up with anything for the screws.

[06281E]

Originally Posted by XxBoostinxX

****! Looks good bro! I'm wanting to redo my brakes screws and powdercoat my calipers as well. The five spokes show soooo much more of the brakes than the seven spokes and mine look like ****! Let me know if you come up with anything for the screws.

Yeah after i put the black wheels on the first thing i did was take them off. lol. Then i painted the rear brakes and the front and rear hubs in a high temp header spray so they resist heat, the car wash, etc..

I am going to pull one of the bolts out, hopefully they come out! lol.

I will measure and then find a replacement in SS and let you know where to get it from. I would really like to find SS bolts that are already black oxide coated. Worst case ill just paint the heads of the bolts before i install them, as long as they are SS they won't rust again.

[XxBoostinxX]

Originally Posted by 06281E

Yeah after i put the black wheels on the first thing i did was take them off. lol. Then i painted the rear brakes and the front and rear hubs in a high temp header spray so they resist heat, the car wash, etc..

I am going to pull one of the bolts out, hopefully they come out! lol.

I will measure and then find a replacement in SS and let you know where to get it from. I would really like to find SS bolts that are already black oxide coated. Worst case ill just paint the heads of the bolts before i install them, as long as they are SS they won't rust again.

I thought I noticed the hubs were painted on the front . Definitely let me know what you figure out though . If we can't find replacements I wonder if we could sand blast and powdercoat the screws?

[06281E]

Originally Posted by XxBoostinxX

I thought I noticed the hubs were painted on the front . Definitely let me know what you figure out though . If we can't find replacements I wonder if we could sand blast and powdercoat the screws?

There is a replacement in SS, i guarantee it! lol. The only issue i see is removing them because of the rust they may be weaker and can break and then i have bigger problems.. But if i can pull them out one at a time and replace then it will work.

[XxBoostinxX]

Originally Posted by 06281E

There is a replacement in SS, i guarantee it! lol. The only issue i see is removing them because of the rust they may be weaker and can break and then i have bigger problems.. But if i can pull them out one at a time and replace then it will work.

It might be easier to just pull the caliper off and soak them in PB blaster. Click me!

[06281E]

Originally Posted by XxBoostinxX

It might be easier to just pull the caliper off and soak them in PB blaster. Click me!

If it needs it i will.. First i am just going to try and pull them one at a time and replace with a new one, that way i can leave the wheels on and not touch anything else..

[XxBoostinxX]

Originally Posted by 06281E

If it needs it i will.. First i am just going to try and pull them one at a time and replace with a new one, that way i can leave the wheels on and not touch anything else..

Got ya! You can also just spray the PB blaster onto the screws and let it penetrate for a little bit. This could loosen them up some as well. Keep us posted on your progress!

[06281E]

Originally Posted by XxBoostinxX

Got ya! You can also just spray the PB blaster onto the screws and let it penetrate for a little bit. This could loosen them up some as well. Keep us posted on your progress!

Ok just finished up, here is the new pic without the rust! Took each bolt out one at a time and buffed off all of the rust, then painted the top of the bolts and re-installed them. You may be able to do 2 at a time but i didn't want to risk anything coming loose while the wheels are still on.

[redruder]

Originally Posted by 06281E

The next mods on my list are 3.73 gears to replace the 4.10's.. I think with the power i am making 4.10's would be great with a 4 speed auto trans but with the 6 speed 1st and 2nd gears and the top of 3rd are now rendered useless due to wheel spin.lol. Other than that I am trying to get a set of the 5 spoke Saleen wheels in black and then change the decals on the car to black and then i should be done for a while..

You'll love switching to 3.73s, one of the best things I did was getting rid of the 4.10s. I couldn't hook up with them at all, the 3.73s will still break lose but at least they don't do it when I go to pass someone on the interstate anymore.

[06281E]

Originally Posted by redruder

You'll love switching to 3.73s, one of the best things I did was getting rid of the 4.10s. I couldn't hook up with them at all, the 3.73s will still break lose but at least they don't do it when I go to pass someone on the interstate anymore.

Great, someone with a 281E that changed the gears! I don't know how much power you are making but in 3rd gear at any rpm i can break the 315's loose.. I was hoping with 3.73's I should have traction in 3rd.. Would you go down to 3.55's or do you think the 3.73's are better all around?

[redruder]

Originally Posted by 06281E

Great, someone with a 281E that changed the gears! I don't know how much power you are making but in 3rd gear at any rpm i can break the 315's loose.. I was hoping with 3.73's I should have traction in 3rd.. Would you go down to 3.55's or do you think the 3.73's are better all around?

I would stay with my 3.73s they feel perfect as an all around gear. They dropped my RPM at 65mph to around 1600 RPMs in 6th. Drop it down to 3rd and it hits like a sledge hammer but stays in control. It still has a hyper car feel without the complete loss of traction every time you hit the gas. Being well beyond 450rwhp you'll blow the tires off in 1st if you just nail it, but after you get the feel of how to launch it you'll love it. It didn't take me long to find the edge, plus I go through 1st so fast I use the shift light on my Livewire tuner.

[06281E]

Originally Posted by redruder

I would stay with my 3.73s they feel perfect as an all around gear. They dropped my RPM at 65mph to around 1600 RPMs in 6th. Drop it down to 3rd and it hits like a sledge hammer but stays in control. It still has a hyper car feel without the complete loss of traction every time you hit the gas. Being well beyond 450rwhp you'll blow the tires off in 1st if you just nail it, but after you get the feel of how to launch it you'll love it. It didn't take me long to find the edge, plus I go through 1st so fast I use the shift light on my Livewire tuner.

You are the man! 3.73's it is! My first gear right now is so useless that i only use it to get rolling for 2 seconds and then shift into 2nd.. I can't run anyone because the second i mash it in 3rd i just get sideways and it feels really unsafe on the street.. Hopefully with the gears it will be more tame and have that top end power i love! Another thing i am going to do is throw on a couple of resonators on the straight section of the exhaust..

[redruder]

Originally Posted by 06281E

You are the man! 3.73's it is! My first gear right now is so useless that i only use it to get rolling for 2 seconds and then shift into 2nd.. I can't run anyone because the second i mash it in 3rd i just get sideways and it feels really unsafe on the street.. Hopefully with the gears it will be more tame and have that top end power i love! Another thing i am going to do is throw on a couple of resonators on the straight section of the exhaust..

I had the same problem I also went with sticky rears. The Parrellis are useless. Do you have LCA drop brackets? If not they really help with planting the rear as well. 1st is a tough nut to crack because of all the low end torque but I've driven one with 3.55s and 650rwhp and it felt too soft on bottom.

[06281E]

Originally Posted by redruder

I had the same problem I also went with sticky rears. The Parrellis are useless. Do you have LCA drop brackets? If not they really help with planting the rear as well. 1st is a tough nut to crack because of all the low end torque but I've driven one with 3.55s and 650rwhp and it felt too soft on bottom.

I have the Metco LCA's on the rear but not the brackets, I heard they don't do anything for my problem, just 1st gear launch in exchange for more road harshness and noise.. I figure the LCA's are good enough, i just want to stop going sideways at 60-70mph, one day i am not gonna be able to swing back to straight and smack into someone! lol

Whats got me deciding between the lower ratios is the new GT500 rockin 600whp and sitting on 3.31 gears, still putting down impressive times, and 70mph in 2nd gear. lol

[redruder]

Originally Posted by 06281E

I have the Metco LCA's on the rear but not the brackets, I heard they don't do anything for my problem, just 1st gear launch in exchange for more road harshness and noise.. I figure the LCA's are good enough, i just want to stop going sideways at 60-70mph, one day i am not gonna be able to swing back to straight and smack into someone! lol

Whats got me deciding between the lower ratios is the new GT500 rockin 600whp and sitting on 3.31 gears, still putting down impressive times, and 70mph in 2nd gear. lol

Yea but if you read some of the reports people complain it's soft on bottom compared to the last one. They geared it for top end speed (looking for 200 mph). The drop brackets do help in planting the power but the taller gears will fix most of your issues, it did mine. I also have my battery in the trunk. That was more to make room for my intercooler reservoir than weight transfer though. If you want to really keep things cool when you do some runs fill your reservoir with ice. I've had mine sweating and it kept the AIT way down (barely registering on the gauge) even after several wide open runs with 88 degree outside temps.

[06281E]

Originally Posted by redruder

Yea but if you read some of the reports people complain it's soft on bottom compared to the last one. They geared it for top end speed (looking for 200 mph). The drop brackets do help in planting the power but the taller gears will fix most of your issues, it did mine. I also have my battery in the trunk. That was more to make room for my intercooler reservoir than weight transfer though. If you want to really keep things cool when you do some runs fill your reservoir with ice. I've had mine sweating and it kept the AIT way down (barely registering on the gauge) even after several wide open runs with 88 degree outside temps.

That sounds right on the GT500 gearing, it is a top end monster! I picked up a set of the FRPP 3.73's with the install kit, carbon clutch disks for the posi unit, oil, and the friction modifier. Should all get done in the next week!

[redruder]

Originally Posted by 06281E

That sounds right on the GT500 gearing, it is a top end monster! I picked up a set of the FRPP 3.73's with the install kit, carbon clutch disks for the posi unit, oil, and the friction modifier. Should all get done in the next week!

You should have a Tru Trac rear diff and they don't have clutches. That's what mine came with and that diff doesn't require friction modifier

[06281E]

Originally Posted by redruder

You should have a Tru Trac rear diff and they don't have clutches. That's what mine came with and that diff doesn't require friction modifier

Oh really? Crap! I thought i had a T-lok type diff.. I guess i will return those clutch disks..

[06281E]

Originally Posted by redruder

You should have a Tru Trac rear diff and they don't have clutches. That's what mine came with and that diff doesn't require friction modifier

Looks like you got lucky with the true trac, I talked to Jason at 281 Motorsports and the diffs that he has pulled out of Extremes have been clutch pack types and not true tracs.. I already bought the carbon clutch pack disks and oil with friction modifier so i will buy 3 quarts of other gear oil and just bring everything over the shop doing the install and they will use what they need to based on what is in there.. Freakin Saleen kills me with the lack of consistency, it's like when they were building extremes if they ran out of a part they would just use a different one, Lammmeeeee!

[redruder]

Originally Posted by 06281E

Looks like you got lucky with the true trac, I talked to Jason at 281 Motorsports and the diffs that he has pulled out of Extremes have been clutch pack types and not true tracs.. I already bought the carbon clutch pack disks and oil with friction modifier so i will buy 3 quarts of other gear oil and just bring everything over the shop doing the install and they will use what they need to based on what is in there.. Freakin Saleen kills me with the lack of consistency, it's like when they were building extremes if they ran out of a part they would just use a different one, Lammmeeeee!

That's the truth. With Saleen just because the window sticker has it as being on the car that doesn't mean it actually got installed. The sheet showed boxed LCAs and UCA, what a crock I had to replace the stock GT stuff that was actually on it with some BMR stuff. I'm just glad that I was able to pick up my Extreme used and got a good deal on it. If I had paid what was on the window sticker I would be livid. Kind of makes me wonder what kind of port job was done to the heads. I don't even want to get into the weak intercooler setup that came on the car. Like you I replaced everything but the blower. I plan on getting rid of the useless boat anchor of a wing when I get mine repainted.