I started the process of swapping out the stock rear end in my Mustang with the Ford Racing Limited Slip and 4:10 gears. I've done some work on rear ends before but this job has been the biggest pain in my ass! Every part that needed to come out or apart didn't want to play nice.

Well, okay, the differential cover came off easily but that was it. The set screw that holds the pin into the differential had so much lock-tite in it that the bolt wouldn't come out. We seriously spent about three hours trying to get the pin out so we could remove the C slips from the axle. We finally cut the bolt out with a die-grinder. Oh, well. I had no plans for the open rear diff or gears so no big loss...other then time.

Once we got the pin out and the axles removed the differential was in so tight that we had to pry it out with the claw end of a hammer. Now, I guess it's nice that the rear end was holding together as nicely as it was but seriously, we lost another hour to this crap!

Now it was time to get the pinion out but to do so, you have to drop the back side of the drive shaft. Wouldn't you know it. The freaking thing had sealed itself. We actually had to jack the drive shaft up to get it to break loose. Well, finally get can get the pinion gear out...NOT! It requires a 23milimeter socket...the only one we didn't have. By this time it was 8:15 PM and 10 hours into the job so this is where we decided to stop.

The new limited slip is put together and ready to pop in. Once we get the pinion gear out, we'll be ready to go. A shout out to Autozone, who had the 23mm socket!

The 2011 Mustang will be the pace car at the 2010 Daytona 500. Now, I'm not the biggest fan of the styling changes on the 2010 and 2011 model but I'm proud that a stang will be leading the pack at this years race. Check out Autoblog for all the pictures!

I found this on one of my many drool sessions on Evilbay. It's the Nemesis Mustang made by Nemesis Motorsports. I have to say that those deep dish rims tucked inside of those wheel wells are simply one of the coolest things I've ever seen on a Mustang. If I had 75K I'd have this sitting in my garage.

Well, it's only January but I was able to get out an wash the Mustang today. I was unfortunately stuck in a rain storm while I had it out last week so it was pretty dirty. I got it cleaned up, a few pictures and back in the garage!

Here is are some cool wallpapers I made up of the Cervini cowl hood. Feel free to use it if you like it.

I took some pictures of the hood at work this morning. I wanted to get some better light. As you can see, in better light there is virtually no difference in the paint.

My hood has arrived and has been put on the vehicle. I'm now ready to offer a full Cervini review of my experience.

Ordering:
My order went smoothly. I called customer service and the sales rep took my order right over the phone. The process was as simple as could be. I had the hood painted at the factory so I was prepared with the paint code. Check out their website for details if you choose to have the hood painted by them. Overall, I give the order process an A+.

Waiting time:
I was a little disturbed by the fact that I never got a confirmation E-Mail or any status updates. Communication after the order was non existent. However, the sales rep said it would take 14-17 days and he was right on the mark. I called them the other day and the sales rep was great and within a few minutes I was told that my hood was being prepped and would be shipped the next day.

I got an E-Mail saying it was shipped but without my call, this would have been the only communication I had with them after the order. Overall I give the wait time a C-. Come on folks, even Domino's Pizza gives you updates and they offer 30 minute or less delivery!

Shipping:
Now, I'm only about an hour or so away from Cervini's but the shipping was still insanely fast. I got the shipping notice on one day, a lady from the shipper called the next and the day after that I got the package. The truck driver helped me bring it to the shop. I know this isn't really a Cervini review but they choose to do business with this shipper and the shipper was here on time and helpful. I give shipping an A + even if it did cost me $110.00.

Packaging:
The hood was packed in a large cardboard box and was held in place by custom made Styrofoam. It was also covered with a thin plastic cling wrap that felt like it was glued on. I'd feel confident that the box would make it across the country without major issues but the crazy staples really pose a hazard to the hood if you arent watching. I think a liberal amount of tape would have been better. Due to this, packaging gets a B.

Accessories:
Here are two things they don't tell you. They supply the squirt relocation kit for you so there is no need to buy one. I'm a bit lazy and didn't even think about this so it wasn't a problem. Here's what got me. The web site claims you can use the factory equipment to bolt on the new hood. The bolts that Ford uses to bolt the hood to the hinge and the latch cannot be used. You have to use the ones supplied by Cervini. Now at least they supply the bolts but the ones Ford use seem better and are painted to match the color of the car. Due to the fact that this was very unclear on the website I have to give the accessories a C.

The hood quality:
The quality of the hood is flawless. Highly polished and not a scratch in the paint job. All seams and edges looked nice and the prepping was great. The hood fit just like the factory hood and only took about an hour to install (this includes removing the old hood.) This is quite possibly the best fiberglass hood I've ever seen. The quality of the hood gets an A+ all of the way.

The paint:
When I decided to think about having them paint the hood I got opinions from the pros and cons. Due to the cost and my laziness I decided to have them paint the hood. This was despite the fact I couldn't find any real reviews of how well the paint matched. Well, the paint looks great but it is SLIGHTLY off a small bit. I haven't seen it in the sun BUT in the shop you can see that the hood is a bit darker then the rest of the car. However, within a few weeks out in the sun I don't think there will be any difference.

I'm a bit up in the air about this one because it looks pretty much like what you would get from a competent body guy. Because of this, I give the paint a B.

Overall happiness:
I'm stoked about this hood even if I can't see out of my car now. I think this hood has really set off the car and will turn many heads where ever I go. My overall happiness is a very solid A!

I added my Mustang to Car Domain.com. So, if you happen to be on there stop by and rate my Stang!

I spoke to a customer service rep at Cervini's today and he told me that they were detailing my hood today and it would ship out tomorrow. I should be getting a call from the shipping company within 48 hours for delivery! Stoked isn't the word!