SP Rides: La Otra

SP-070717-Samuel-Valdez-2014-Mustang-GT1426

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BY MICHAEL KITCHENS

Name: Samuel Valdez
Age: 28
Occupation: Student
Hobbies: Building Cars
Year, Make, Model: 2014 Ford Mustang Red
Color: Metallic Ruby Red
Engine: On3 Performance, 67-millimeter ceramic ball bearing, Billet twin turbos, 3-inch 304ss Off-Road X-Pipe, Billet Chromoly oil pump gears, Cast 304ss Turbo manifold, MMR Billet timing sprocket, VMP Boost-A-Pump, Ford Performance EV6 high flow injectors — 60-pound, Muffler Delete, Brisk Silver Racing spark plugs, UPR catch can breather, Moroso Battery relocation
Exterior: TRUFIBER 3-inch cowl carbon fiber hood, MMD carbon fiber ducktail spoiler, windshield reflector, Raxiom Halo fog lights, black roof wrap, Modern Billet black retro grille, Custom Bracket tail lights, Raxiom tail light sequencer, MMD tail light trim covers
Interior: HCM Carbon Fiber Interior Dash kit and “5.0” badges, X-Lume light up Pony, X-Lume light up Pony, BOSS 302S Alcantara suede steering wheel, Pony cargo protector, Boss 302 dash gauges, laptop mount, Rally Strip shift knob, Scosche Touch Screen Dash kit, Pioneer AVH-X2600BT, Weather Tech floor liners, BAMA SCT X4/SF4 handheld tuner, Red Chrome dash trim, AM Rear Seat Delete kit
Drivetrain: Whiteline positive shift transmission mount bushing Insert, Shelby remote clutch reservoir, 3.73 gears, McLeod Stainless Steel braided clutch line
Suspension: BOSS 302 Strut Bar custom paint, P Series 1-inch lowering springs, Performance struts and shocks, front and rear sway bar, rear adjustable Panhard bar, polyurethane bushings, Redline hood struts, Steeda rear seat X-Brace, Steeda rear sway bar relocation, SR Performance adjustable lower control arms, BMR lower control arm relocation brackets
Wheels/Brakes/Tires: 17 by 7 front Race Star Dark Stars, 15 by 10 rear Race Star Dark Stars with 296/55/r15 Mickey Thompsons

Over the years, Samuel Valdez has owned over sixteen cars — which you could consider quite a bit for someone who is only 28 years old. “Only about three of them were any good. The rest would break down, so I’d buy another,” said Valdez. Owning so many beaters has enabled him to gain a plethora of experience and he even learned how to drive stick through them. At this point in his life, though, he’s got the perfect partner in this 2014 Ford Mustang GT.

Valdez wasn’t always a Mustang fan — he was mostly into imports. One day, after some serious peer pressure from his coworkers, he asked his boss for a ride in a Saleen Extreme. Needless to say, after being mushed from the G-forces of extreme RWD domestic muscle, he became an instant fan. So much so, that he doesn’t intend on swapping this ride out in the future; it’s a keeper.

Most people gravitate to “more power,” yet Valdez was concerned with putting it down. Suspension was a key focus for him. One look at his mod list said it all as he has an incredible amount of suspension modifications. Everything from lower control arms to struts and shocks, to the sway bars and the bushings — it’s all been modified for better handling. Race Star Dark Star wheels sized at 17 by 7 for the front and 15 by 10 for the rear are part of the package and are wrapped with sticky Mickey Thompsons. All of these mods, Valdez said, promote the idea that “spinning ain’t winning.”

The interior has also been given a sweet touch. Unlike most interior carbon fiber wraps, this ride sports the real deal. All of the carbon fiber components were handmade by HCM and complements the custom painted red interior pieces completed by Valdez. His Datalogger is available for tuning, and is making speed runs thanks to a laptop mount that bolts to the center console. A Rally Strip shift knob matches the custom interior while in the rear a Steeda X-Brace has been modified to illuminate at will thanks to an X-Lume light up Pony. Several components from the BOSS 302S have also made it to the interior, including the Alcantara suede steering wheel and dash gauges.

The exterior has been kept relatively simple, but there are a surprising amount of modifications done. These include the 3-inch cowl carbon fiber hood and the MMD carbon fiber ducktail spoiler. Valdez also added “5.0” badges to complement the tasteful exterior modifications.

Although there’s much more left to do, what Valdez has done so far is remarkable. This is now a twin-turbo beast. Although most would be satisfied with a V8, he wanted much more and only the goodness of turbo power could sate his appetite. Installed by himself and a few buddies (while nursing a casted ankle), this baby is rocking a set of On3 Performance, 67-millimeter ceramic ball bearing turbos and the supporting modifications to make it happen. Let’s just say you can hear the car coming from miles away.

“La Otra” is Spanish for “The Other Woman.” For Valdez, this sexy ride is his other woman. He invests his money in her, treats her right, and can be accused of spending way too much time with her. From his perspective all is good, since this car is his art.

 

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