2003-2004 Terminator memory lane... Walker

[jhwalker]

How about us building up a memory lane thread documenting what, for me, was a very special time. I bought my 2003 black Vert in June 2002 at Vista Ford if I remember correctly. SVTPerformance was my source of info. I knew no one else who had a 2003 Mustang Cobra. There was a 10 (15? 20?) item checklist that HAD to be followed when buying.
Has anyone been to the Dark Side
Post-strokes, my memories are foggy -- don't know if Piggie was in inventory or ordered. Terri can't remember.
It was love at first sight, I was knocked over by the 1st drive. My 'I'm gonna drive a hard bargain' stance melted into 'must buy now' within 2 blocks of leaving the dealership on a test drive. I think I paid at least $1000 over list, maybe $1500 over. It made NO difference -- I was in love. Writing this much has tired me out (pathetic )
To be resumed...
Since I have lost my mind (I mean memory) anyone who wants to add or correct memories as I trudge thru this, feel free.
I don't remember how we first got together at LACR. I sort of remember the first dyno days.
We could each have our own thread, with each of us adding to a single thread that covers some of the hilarious group activities.
Or?
This brings back memories of the horrific loss of the SoCalTerminator site with no backups, but I'm over that.
I continue to believe the 2003-2004 Terminator is one of the most important Ford's ever, and if others have interest, this exercise might help my memory while being fun.

[SonicVenum]

For the activity level of the forum, I think one thread should suffice to share our tales.

I can't remember if I met Piggie & James at LACR, or if it was at the Terminator Cruise we did from OC through the Ortega Hwy. I'm thinking it was the cruise. James, you were there with Adam, and you had just put the full Griggs suspension on. I believe you were still much more into autocross at the time. Other attendees (off the top of my head): Dave with the OG silver Termi, pretty sure John (SonicBlur) was there, George w/ the Sonic Blue Termi, Ruben in his KB Sonic Blue, Tony with the cleanest SB ever, Marwane with his Redfire, many many more. Was George aka Kaos there? Oh, there was that guy with the White '03 with the weird license plate Os 0s Is & 1s.

[SonicVenum]

As for my Termi tale... I first saw it 5.0 magazine's February issue. The article showed silver & red cars, but as soon as I saw Sonic Blue, I was in love. I started calling dealers in May or so. None were taking delivery until June. I kept hounding all the dealers in the greater LA area. Eventually, a manager at Board Ford in Whittier let me know they'd be getting a Sonic Blue coupe in late June. I locked in MSRP pricing over the phone, and headed to the dealer on the evening of Friday June 21st. My beauty was sitting on the showroom floor with a $5k mark-up on the window. After some haggling over my promised MSRP, and other BS they tried to add to my deal, I drove away in my first (and probably only) brand new car. I think the manager that gave me that pricing got into a little trouble over it because they were pretty confident they'd get the mark-up they wanted. I did myself a favor by going to buy the car the day after it came off the truck, and the first day it was in the showroom.

The car was only stock for a few weeks. The stock exhaust was just terrible, but I couldn't find 03-specific exhaust anywhere yet (may not have known where to luck). I had my uncle's exhaust shop make a custom exhaust with Flowmaster Series 40s. Loved the new sound. Everything else on the car remained stock until early 03 when I knew I'd have a tax return burning a hole in my pocket. I started browsing online for mods, and that's how I found SVTP. Chat on the local forums there led to Dave PMing me an invite to LACR, and that's the beginning of the end. The mod addiction was born. The chase for lower ETs ended with a goal met (10s), and a car sold. Womp womp.

The first day at LACR was nerve-racking. I had never drag raced before. My first pass was terrible. After coming back around to the staging lanes (didn't know about heat soak yet), I noticed Dave was talking to an older fellow. I walked over, and it turned out he had a white Termi, and had some experience drag racing. I thought, "Oh, here's an opportunity to learn!" I asked this elder gentleman for pointers. I was greeted with berating and nothing but a commentary on how terribly I did. Thanks, Pat. In the meantime, Dave slunk away, and left me there with the MadMax of Antelope Valley. Eventually, I was able to figure things out, and the old codger let us in on his secret little Mexican food place. The rest is history.

[jhwalker]

That sounds real A good start. But we have many details to fill in. Carlsbad (with its great DA, and Deliverance setting),
the Cobra caravans down to terrorize the 'Vettes, the track-side wheel-swapping teamwork, very much an 'all for 1, 1 for all' spirit that existed from a bunch of good guys connecting because of a great car. I would not trade those few years for anything.

Adam with his pickup and tools wanting to help on anything he could. Adam calling me while I was out of town asking if he could take Piggie to the track and me later finding out that the track was in Arizona.
Marwaun ! Auto-crossing at Famoso (wrecking).
My life with B&D, your life with Steve, that tuner (Shawn?) at Joe Jills place. Pat's and my famous trip to Swanson's where Pat got "the famous tune"
We all put a ton of car time in...

[Tetge]

I have spent the time since you started this thread watching videos and looking at images of time slips and reviewing millions of dollars in receipts. But, I found a screen dump image that came from long ago on Dave Park's site, in which he provided all the info necessary to outfit a sub 11.5 Terminator. Of course, being 100 pounds lighter, and a talented driver, did not hurt Park's results, but, I was there, on Dec. 26, 2006, when he went 11.38 at LACR, but, the best I could do was 11.484 (time slip below). So, yes, there was magic DA at LACR the day after Christmas, 2006.

[jhwalker]

Here we go again, I just wiped out 30 minutes of typing with a keystroke.

Dave could drive, and did more with less. Modest rwhp, excellent 60', wonderful et, low top end speed (but right for 4.10s) -- great run.



i'll re-type some lost input later. Terri just gave me my 'to do list' for the day...

[SonicVenum]

James, how about writing your posts in Word or Notepad, then copy/pasting into the text field to avoid those issues?

Dave is absolutely a talented individual. One of those people that find something they like, then obsess on it until they master it. Artwork, drag racing, mechanical work, car detailing, stained glass... it's amazing.

We've had some great times. I have a bunch of pics/vids on my computer. I'm not sure how many hard copies of time slips have survived all the moves I've made since then, but I have electronic copies of the major ones. I definitely have the memories.

[jhwalker]

James, how about writing your posts in Word or Notepad, then copy/pasting into the text field to avoid those issues?

Dave is absolutely a talented individual. One of those people that find something they like, then obsess on it until they master it. Artwork, drag racing, mechanical work, car detailing, stained glass... it's amazing.

We've had some great times. I have a bunch of pics/vids on my computer. I'm not sure how many hard copies of time slips have survived all the moves I've made since then, but I have electronic copies of the major ones. I definitely have the memories.

Good idea. I start out with that intention and then and then --

[jhwalker]

An interesting vid https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdLaBIuOYAg The before/after dyno vid is at the end

Here is another before/after dyno chart.

[jhwalker]

An interesting vid https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdLaBIuOYAg The before/after dyno vid is at the end

Here is another before/after dyno chart.

2117 GRAPH FOR Adam Walker on 2015-10-06 @ 17-38-45.png