Howdy Blacksheep, I’ve been reading through your Super Beater build and a few of your other S197 posts. I’m building a 2009 Mustang for Club Spec Mustang/HPDE use, and your car is extremely close to what I’m doing I have literally all their allowed modifications its basically an FR500S now, minus the 6 speed and 3.73's. Things I have left to install: Mishimoto radiator, oil cooler/sandwich plate, silicone hoses, valve covers, brisk spark plugs, safety/interior cleanup, etc.

I had a few quick questions if you don’t mind:

1. Airbag light:
I saw the “killing the air bag light” discussion and I’m trying to understand what actually happens. Did your solution truly satisfy the module so the system no longer showed faults, or did it just turn the dash light off while the RCM still shows airbag faults if scanned? My car is off-road/race-use setup with seats/harnesses, but I still need to understand what a scan tool or emissions inspection would see.

2. Mishimoto radiator/oil cooler/silicone hoses:
Any install tips or “wish I knew before” items? I’m installing a thermostatic sandwich plate, oil cooler, radiator, and silicone hoses together, and I’m planning to do fresh oil/filter at the same time so the new cooler doesn’t get old oil through it.

3. Valve covers:
Any gotchas on the valve cover install on the S197? Clearance, gasket sealing, bolt order, PCV/breather routing, or anything that bit you?

4. Vinyl/paint:
Did you do your own vinyl work/graphics, or do you have someone you use? I need a rocker stripe made and I’m debating buying equipment to do it myself, but I’m trying not to spend money where I don’t have to.

5. Rear seat delete:
Any tips ? I was going to try and see if I can find some ABS sheets and use some trunk liner carpet that I've used in the past.

Right now im about to go in the garage and do a 500 mile inspection on my newly rebuilt diff with 3.55 gears and trutrac, no noise but im always nervous after a diff rebuild.

Also you dont happen to have Steeda sway bar end links up front do you? I cant for the life of me get them to be set right where they dont bind just a tiny bit. I think I just need people in the car while I set it up I tried weights, but that wasn't enough to get it right. If you have any tips there please let me know.

Sorry for so many questions and I appreciate any advice. Your build has been super helpful because it overlaps so much with what I’m doing.

Thanks!
Jeff

I am sure the infamous Blacksheep 1 will be chatting with you soon and don't be afraid to ask him questions as he is not near as mean as he tries to appear. The problem is he believes he is a cantankerous old red neck and wants to keep that reputation but he as been on here long enough helping people we know he is just an ole pussycat!!

Thanks Bill! I'm never afraid to ask anyone anything even if it gets me slapped or punched in the face.

JMC said:

Howdy Blacksheep, I’ve been reading through your Super Beater build and a few of your other S197 posts. I’m building a 2009 Mustang for Club Spec Mustang/HPDE use, and your car is extremely close to what I’m doing I have literally all their allowed modifications its basically an FR500S now, minus the 6 speed and 3.73's. Things I have left to install: Mishimoto radiator, oil cooler/sandwich plate, silicone hoses, valve covers, brisk spark plugs, safety/interior cleanup, etc.

I had a few quick questions if you don’t mind:

1. Airbag light:
I saw the “killing the air bag light” discussion and I’m trying to understand what actually happens. Did your solution truly satisfy the module so the system no longer showed faults, or did it just turn the dash light off while the RCM still shows airbag faults if scanned? My car is off-road/race-use setup with seats/harnesses, but I still need to understand what a scan tool or emissions inspection would see.

2. Mishimoto radiator/oil cooler/silicone hoses:
Any install tips or “wish I knew before” items? I’m installing a thermostatic sandwich plate, oil cooler, radiator, and silicone hoses together, and I’m planning to do fresh oil/filter at the same time so the new cooler doesn’t get old oil through it.

3. Valve covers:
Any gotchas on the valve cover install on the S197? Clearance, gasket sealing, bolt order, PCV/breather routing, or anything that bit you?

4. Vinyl/paint:
Did you do your own vinyl work/graphics, or do you have someone you use? I need a rocker stripe made and I’m debating buying equipment to do it myself, but I’m trying not to spend money where I don’t have to.

5. Rear seat delete:
Any tips ? I was going to try and see if I can find some ABS sheets and use some trunk liner carpet that I've used in the past.

Right now im about to go in the garage and do a 500 mile inspection on my newly rebuilt diff with 3.55 gears and trutrac, no noise but im always nervous after a diff rebuild.

Also you dont happen to have Steeda sway bar end links up front do you? I cant for the life of me get them to be set right where they dont bind just a tiny bit. I think I just need people in the car while I set it up I tried weights, but that wasn't enough to get it right. If you have any tips there please let me know.

Sorry for so many questions and I appreciate any advice. Your build has been super helpful because it overlaps so much with what I’m doing.

Thanks!
Jeff

Click to expand...

I'm so sorry that I've not responded sooner, I'm helping a small race team get organized and it's pretty mentally draining starting from square 1.
1. I haven't scanned for codes since I did that mod, but it shut the airbag light down cold. I'm sur eit will show some type of fault since it basically grounds a wire.
2, The Mishimoto radiator was very straight forward, I have an aftermarket, brand X oil cooler and sandwich plate that I've been meaning to install for over a year now. The only thing I would look for is the updating of the cooling system routing, in (about 08) they made a change to that, and it's more efficient, the mod for the 06 is in the article...where I sliced through my finger.
3.Cam covers were totally straight forward, ,o issues at all, but they do use less bolts holding them down than the aluminum ones.
4. I get a local guy to do my graphics, I'm not sure the amount I do would justify the machine and stocking all the ink and colors.
5. I used veneer and covered that, plastic sheets would also probably work if you can get the carpet to adhere to the plastic, they are pretty oily.
6.I don't have any Steeda links, I still use the Ford Performance bars and stock links, the rear use urethane bushings, but the fronts are stock.
I hope this helps, glad you like the article, and I'm sorry for the delay.