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PMP News Headlines |
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The legendary Mach 1 lives on for 2004 |
Source: Motor Trend
Maybe you'd rather not cop to the retro craze that's so hot right now, but understanding
the importance of the '03 version of Ford's Mustang Mach 1 requires an appreciation of history.
Think back some 30 years ago, when big-blocks ruled the strip, long before street racing included
nitrous-injected sport compacts. We've tested the Mach before, but it's now available with an
automatic transmission. We felt it was worth a run down the 1320.
 All time-machine cues are present:
front and rear spoilers, check. Magnum-style wheels, check. Shaker hood scoop--oh, yeah. Open the
hood to see the wall-to-wall 4.6-liter, four-valves/cylinder, DOHC Ford V-8 (think Boss 429). Output
is 305 horsepower at 5800 rpm and 320 lb-ft of torque at 4200 rpm. There's a choice of transmissions:
a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic, each connected to a 3.55:1 Traction Lock rear axle.
The engine breathes through a functional ram-air shaker hood scoop and modified upper intake. Other
go-fast hardware includes specially calibrated cams, high-flow cylinder heads, a forged crank (cast
with an automatic transmission), and performance exhaust manifolds. Suspension changes are a half-inch
drop in ride height (as compared to a GT), new front and rear coil springs, revalved Tokico struts and
shocks, Mach-specific anti-roll bars, and frame rail connectors to enhance rigidity. ABS and traction control
are standard.
 The Mach I cleared our 600-foot slalom at 63.6 mph, just a tick slower than the IRS-equipped Cobra (64.3) and
solid-axle Bullitt (66.0). Ford engineers explained why the Mach 1 was slower through the cones: The Bullitt's
engine (cast-iron block and two-valve aluminum heads) has a lower center of gravity than the Mach 1 (or Cobra)
engine, with its aluminum block but heavier four-valve heads. This Mach 1's acceleration off the line is tricky,
but resulted in a big-block-humbling 13.88 at 101.91. We recently tested a Mach 1 five-speed and ran a 13.2 at 106.7.
This automatic-equipped car showed a slight power dip just after the 2-3 shift, which felt like timing advance
being dialed back or a transmission ratio choice just a little off. The Mach 1 will still rip 'em into second.
Shifts are torquey-firm at part throttle, kicking in at full throttle with downshifts just a toe-squeeze away.
The new version of the Mach 1 makes all the right musclecar moves and will satisfy anyone who's lusted after, but
didn't buy, the original. |
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