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Unibody vehicles such as Mustangs offer many benefits to the manufacturer and consumer, like affordable price, lightweight construction, and increased fuel economy. However, the things that can make the unibody design desirable can also make it weaker. Lack of complete framerails gives the lighter, less-rigid body opportunity to flex. The effects of this flexing can be felt immediately (especially in drag racing and road racing applications) and can also create long-term problems like metal fatigue. This fatigue is what causes Fox-bodies to creak and squeak over the years. Thankfully, Ford has greatly improved the design in its S197 platform. In true Mustang aftermarket fashion, many companies have developed subframe connectors, strut/shock tower braces, and chassis-stiffening kits to remedy Fox flex. Some racers just weld their rollcage through the floor to the subframe connectors, but for most, a bolt-in or bolt-and-weld-in chassis-stiffening kit is plenty.

Photo Gallery: Innovative Performance Technologies FIT System – The Stiffmeister – Muscle Mustang & Fast Fords Magazine

Photo Gallery: Innovative Performance Technologies FIT System – The Stiffmeister – Muscle Mustang & Fast Fords Magazine

In the search for more power on a supercharged vehicle, one way to improve performance is by increasing the capabilities of the heads and cams. Though the Three-Valve cylinder heads flow much better than the Two-Valve, there’s still some power potential left on the table to be remedied by porting and/or installing larger valves.

Photo Gallery: 3V Heads And Cams Testing – On The Port Side – Muscle Mustang & Fast Fords Magazine

Photo Gallery: 3V Heads And Cams Testing – On The Port Side – Muscle Mustang & Fast Fords Magazine

I turn the key and the engine comes to life. The door closes, I pull the belts tight, and as I shift the transmission into First, the world seemingly goes quiet as my attention is consumed by the task ahead. A bead of sweat runs down my face as I roll into the burnout box. First gear. Second gear. Tire smoke consumes the back of the car, and as I release the brake, our Amsoil GT rolls out of the cloud it just created.

Photo Gallery: 2011 AMSOIL GT VMP Tuning Tuneup – Calibrated For Power – Muscle Mustang & Fast Fords Magazine

Photo Gallery: 2011 AMSOIL GT VMP Tuning Tuneup – Calibrated For Power – Muscle Mustang & Fast Fords Magazine