"Orange Crusher"

     Shane Galloway's '91 GT

    My head is literally spinning these days with so many insane foxes being built. Day in and day out I look at over a hundred different cars, and while not every one of them is over the top, they are all cool. Seeing so many cars you might think I get a little weary of looking at just fox body Mustangs, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Just when I think I’ve seen it all, my mind gets blown again. I still get excited seeing such a wide variety of builds, and the ingenuity that the owners put into them. Not only that, but many of them are home built. Aside from a precious few, most of the cars you see here are owner built. Sure some of the paint and other things are farmed out, but whatever the owner can do, they do. 

    The other thing that I totally love is the coyote takeover. Please don’t get me wrong here, I love my pushrod engines. The coyote has ushered in a new era for Ford enthusiasts, especially fox body Mustang owners. The killer technology, and insane power to be had even in stock trim still boggles the mind. 

    Back in October when your author was at Foxtoberfest, I happened upon a certain orange GT, that seemed to be drawing a crowd. Upon further inspection I found out why. As if the Competition Orange paint wasn’t enough, under the hood was a perfectly detailed Coyote engine. But I am getting ahead of myself.

    Two years ago, Shane Galloway was on the hunt for his next project fox body, and had a complete ’97 Cobra donor car to do a swap. After finding the shell of an Emerald Green & silver ’91 GT, and for only $1,000, Shane was in business. Once home, he commenced swapping the entire Cobra drivetrain into the GT. From front to rear, the fox had been wired and plumbed for the 4V engine, as well as the trans and brakes. After all of the effort, Shane could not get the car to crank. The PATS had the engine on lockdown, and Shane was pissed. Deciding to walk away for a bit to let his high blood pressure subside, another deal crossed his path. A wrecked 2013 Roush Stage II was found nearby, and was just sitting around with a low mile coyote engine that needed a home. Shane was sold.  

    The car went back on the lift for the second time, and once again Shane stripped the entire car down. Determined to go all the way this time, the long nights began. The second build began by cutting the floor pans for subframe connectors, a roll cage, and mini tubs. The suspension build process alone took several months. The front end of the car is made up of a UPR k member, UPR A arms, and Strange double adjustable coil overs. Out back is a UPR wishbone double anti-roll bar, Strange coilovers, and UPR upper/lower control arms. The final piece to the puzzle is a narrowed and braced 8.8 with 4.56 gears, Detroit locker, and Strange axles. 

    The drivetrain consists of the afore mentioned ’13 coyote, which gets some added grunt from long tube headers, MSD ignition, and a D1 Procharger. An Aeromotive fuel system was employed to keep the hungry modular fed, and the Ford Racing control pack keeps everything running properly. On back a Tremec T56 Magnum six speed was hoisted into place, and offers plenty of strength to live behind the boosted coyote. 

    The exterior of the ’91 received its due as well. The Emerald Green paint was stripped away, and hours of body work commenced. Once done, a ’93 Cobra body kit was installed, and the entire car was sprayed in Ford Competition Orange. The crowning touch is the beautiful Weld V series wheels, which give the GT a very tough stance.  

    Finishing up just in time for Mustang Week 2016, the car was a huge hit in Myrtle Beach, not that anyone was surprised by this. Next on the docket was Foxtoberfest, where Shane’s GT took home first place in the 87-93 modified class. Shane is a very proud owner, and never thought the car would turn out as nice as it did. Shane would like to thank his wife, kids, and fabricator Stacy Galloway for putting up with all of his tantrums during the build. Frustrating or not, the results of the “Orange Crusher” were totally worth it. CR