Roush Mustang

Mustang Roush - The History of the Roush Mustang

Throughout the history of the automobile, there have been specialty companies producing products to make cars go faster, but those companies were typically completely uninvolved with the vehicle manufacturers. While most manufacturers offered a sort of factory backed aftermarket, they offered very few options, and only boosted the performance of the vehicles to a minor extent, or the most part. Ford Motor Company had always offered some performance aftermarket support for the Mustang, but in 1984, Trans-Am racer Steve Saleen pioneered a new type of performance company, which worked hand in hand with the manufacturer (in this case Ford Motor Company) and he specialized strictly in the Ford Mustang. The Saleen Mustangs were very popular and other performance companies began to follow Saleen's lead. While many smaller companies offered their services to Mustang enthusiasts, none had factory involvement, combined with name recognition, like Saleen Autosport. However when long time NASCAR Ford team owner Jack Roush opened a new division of his well know Roush Racing, named Roush Performance Products, they worked closely with the dealerships. This new division of Roush began doing business in 1995, and they specialized in the vehicle that had long been a passion of Jacks, the Mustang. Jack Roush's first attempt to deal directly with Ford Motor Co. was actually in 1988, when Roush introduced a 351 cubic inch, twin turbocharged Mustang, which was a hopeful 25th anniversary edition, but this 400 horsepower machine was turned down by Ford due to the costs of production. Check out the Original Roush Brochure.

The First Generation Roush Mustang (1994-1998 Mustangs)

The debut of Roush Performance Products was officially made at the 1995 SEMA show, and it consisted of an intake manifold and tool kit. A year later, the first Roush Mustang was available from dealerships, and was built by a third party. 1997 brought about the first group of Roush-built Roush Mustangs, built at one of four locations. The first era of the Roush Mustang was based on the SN95 Mustang. There were three "stages" of the Roush Mustang, which were split into four levels. Stage 1 was an appearance package, and consisted of the following additions to a stock 1994-1998 Mustang GT:

Roush Logo Package
Roush Dash Medallion
17" x 8" Roush Wheels
Roush Side Skirts
Roush Rear Wing
Roush Window Decal Package
Roush Front Spoiler
Limited Edition Trunk Tool Kit
Roush Embroidered Floor Mats

There was an addition package, named Stage 1 Plus, which included all of the normal Stage 1, but also included a Rear Valance and a side exit exhaust system with different side skirts. If should be noted that this Roush package was also available on 1994-1998 Cobras, but the kit for the Cobra did not include the alterations to the front or rear fascia.

Stage 2 of the SN95 based Roush Mustang included everything in Stage 1 Plus, but was an appearance and suspension upgrade package. Included in that suspension upgrade were:

Pinion Snubber
Rear Anti-Roll Bar
Front and Rear Springs
Koni Adjustable Struts (front)
Koni Adjustable Shocks (rear)

Stage 3 of the SN95 based Roush Mustang included everything in the Stage 2 package, but Stage 3 included engine performance modifications. It was listed as a direct bolt-on replacement kit, and no modifications were needed, but Roush Performance recommended that for optimum performance, GT-40 cylinder heads were used in conjunction with the Stage 3 package. Roush claimed a gain of 47 horsepower with only the included items of Stage 3, and while the GT-40 heads were not included, a reported gain of 120 horsepower was obtainable with the Roush machined GT-40 heads. The following items were included in the package:

Custom Induction Hood
Fuel Rail
Valve Covers
65mm Throttle Body
High Flow Air Filter
Three-Piece Roush Dual Plenum Intake Assembly
Installation Kit (including all of the necessary fasteners, gaskets, etc)

The Second Generation Roush Mustang (1999-2004)

The SN95 Mustang ran until 1999, when Ford changed the Mustang quite a bit, and the new style Mustang was named the New Edge. The introduction of a new Mustang spurred Roush to introduce a new Roush Mustang, and in 1999, Roush intended to introduce their new, beefier Stage 3, but Jack Roush decided that he was not happy with the New Edge Stage 3, so it was not officially released to the public for sale until 2001, but there were evidently five 1999 Stage 3 Roush Mustangs built for testing.

Starting in 1999, there were three stages offered, even though Stage 3 was non-existent.

The lowest stage was the Roush Sport, which was available on both V6 and GT models (although this package was mostly applied to the V6 models, and was not very popular), and this was, for the most part, a basic appearance package. The Roush Sport package includes the following standard options:

Side Skirts
Front Fascia
Rear Valences
High-Performance Exhaust System
Hand Crafted Stainless Steel Tips
Side Exit Exhaust Tips
Tool Box
Embroidered Floor Mats
Window Banners (Front & Rear)
Roush Emblems

In addition to the above listed items, the Roush Sport also includes:

Sport Leather Seating System
CNC Billet Roush Pedals
Convertible Styling Bar
17" Argent Wheels & Tires
18" Argent Wheels & Tires
18" Chrome Wheels & Tires
Laser Red Paint Upgrade
Rear Wing
Roush High Performance Brakes
Sub-Frame Connectors

(Mandatory on Convertibles)

V6 Lowering Springs
Cold Air Induction (GT only)

Stage 1, while being predominantly an appearance package, offers some of the optional items of the Sport package as standard features to aide in handling. Also, like the Sport package, the Stage 1 package was mostly applied to V6 models, yet this package was more popular with GT owners then was the Sport package. The standard items of the New Edge Roush Stage 1 are as follows:

Window Banners (Front & Rear)
Front Fascia
Rear Valences
Side Skirts
Rear Wing
Roush Emblems
High-Performance Exhaust System
- Hand Crafted Stainless Steel Tips
- Side Exit Exhaust Tips
Lowering Springs (V6 Only)
17X8" Argent Wheels & Tires
Embroidered Floor Mats
Custom Trunk Tool Box

Like the Sport package, the Stage 1 package offered some optional items, which helped to further improve the handling, as well as alter the appearance of the vehicle a bit, both inside and out. Those items were:

Sport Leather Seating System
White Face Gauges
CNC Billet Roush Pedals
Convertible Styling Bar
18" Argent Wheels & Tires upgrade
18" Chrome Wheels & Tires
GT Suspension Upgrade
Short Throw Shifter
Locking Lug Nuts
Laser Red Paint Upgrade
Roush High Performance Brakes
Sub-Frame Connectors

(Mandatory on Convertibles)

Cold Air Induction (GT only)

Stage 2 was the most popular of the packages during the New Edge era of the Mustang, and was only available on GT models. The key point of the Stage 2 package was appearance and performance handling, but there were some minor engine performance items added to give the Stage 2 Roush Mustang a little more kick. The standard items of the New Edge Stage 2 package were:

Window Banners (Front & Rear)
Front Fascia
Rear Valences
Side Skirts
Rear Wing
Roush Emblems
Cold Air Induction
Roush Suspension System
- Front & Rear Roush Adjustable Bilstein Shocks
- Front & Rear Springs
- Rear Lower Control Arms
- Front & Rear Sway Bars
- Pinion Snubber
High-Performance Exhaust System
- Hand Crafted Stainless Steel Tips
- Side Exit Exhaust Tips
18X9" Argent Wheels & High Performance Tire
Embroidered Floor Mats
Custom Trunk Tool Box

Like the other packages, Stage 2 offered some options, but these were fewer in number than the Sport or Stage 1 options. These options were:

Sport Leather Seating System
CNC Billet Roush Pedals
White Face Gauges
Convertible Styling Bar
18" Chrome Wheels & Tires Upgrade
Laser Red Paint Upgrade
Roush High Performance Brakes
Short Throw Shifter
Locking Lug Nuts
Sub-Frame Connectors

Starting in 2002, the number of available packages from Roush Performance went from the three offered from 1999-2001, to six regular packages, with the occasional addition of extra packages such as the 360R (2002) and 380R (2003). The first three packages for 2002-2004 were the same was 1999-2001, with Sport, Stage 1, and Stage 2 being the appearance and suspension packages, but for those who were not satisfied with just looking good and taking the turns well, three new Stage 3 packages were offered, with those three packages being labeled the Stage 3 Sport, Stage 3 Rally, and Stage 3 Premium. The first of these packages, the Stage 3 Sport, was intended for those who wanted the Roush look and one mean straight line machine, and that package included the following items:

Powertrain
- Roush Supercharged 4.6-liter SOHC with Intercooler - 360hp @5250 / 375ft-lbs @3000
- Roush Stage 3 Fuel System
- Roush Secondary Sheave F.E.A.D.
- Roush Aluminum Flywheel (manual only)
- Unique Roush Certified OBD II Calibration
Body
- Cobra Hood
- Roush Stage 3 Front Fascia
- Roush Stage 3 Badging System
Chassis
- Roush Front Disc Brakes w/13" Rotors
- Roush 17X8 Wheels & Tires (Argent)
- Roush Sub-frame Connectors

Like the lower level Stage packages, the Stage 3 Sport offered some options, such as:

Laser Red Paint Upgrade
Sport Leather Seating System
Roush Aerobody System
Roush Custom Tool Box
CNC Billet Roush Pedals
Roush Silver Electro Luminescent Instrument Panel
White Face Gauges
Roush Brakes by Alcon (upgrade)
Convertible Styling Bar
18" Argent Wheels & Tires Upgrade
18" Chrome Wheels & Tires Upgrade
Roush Rear Wing
Roush Tuned Stage 3 Suspension
Short Throw Shifter
Locking Lug Nuts
Roush Embroidered Floor Mats

The second level of the Stage 3 package was titled the Stage 3 Rally, and this included all of the features of the Stage 3 Sport, and some of the optional items from the Sport, which dress up the interior a bit, as well as bolster the handling capabilities. The standard equipment of the Stage 3 Rally included:

Powertrain
- Roush Supercharged 4.6-liter SOHC with Intercooler - 360hp @5250 / 375ft-lbs @3000
- Roush Stage 3 Fuel System
- Roush Secondary Sheave F.E.A.D.
- Roush Aluminum Flywheel (manual only)
- Unique Roush Certified OBD II Calibration
Body
- Cobra Hood
- Roush Stage 3 Front Fascia
- Roush Stage 3 Badging System
Chassis
- Roush Front Disc Brakes w/13" Rotors
- Roush 17X8 Wheels & Tires (Argent)
- Roush Sub-frame Connectors
- Roush Tuned Stage 3 Suspension
Interior
- Roush CNC Billet Aluminum Pedals
- Roush Instrument Panel

Even though the Stage 3 Rally Package included some extras from the prior option list, it still offered some customization by means of the following items:

Laser Red Paint Upgrade
Sport Leather Seating System
Roush Aerobody System
Roush Custom Tool Box
Roush Brakes by Alcon (upgrade)
Convertible Styling Bar
18" Chrome Wheels & Tires Upgrade
Roush Rear Wing
Short Throw Shifter
Locking Lug Nuts
Roush Embroidered Floor Mats

The top of the line Stage 3 model was the Stage 3 Premium, and that model combined the key components of the first two Stage 3 packages, as well as adding some items to improve the handling as well as the appearance further. The standard items included in the Stage 3 Premium were:

Powertrain
- Roush Supercharged 4.6-liter SOHC with Intercooler - 360hp @5250 / 375ft-lbs @3000
- Roush Stage 3 Fuel System
- Roush Secondary Sheave F.E.A.D.
- Roush Aluminum Flywheel (manual only)
- Unique Roush Certified OBD II Calibration
Body

Cobra Hood
Roush Stage 3 Front Fascia
Roush Stage 3 Badging System

Chassis
- Roush Tuned Stage 3 Suspension
- Roush Brakes by Alcon
- Roush 18" Wheels & Tires (Argent)
- Roush Sub-frame Connectors
Interior
- Roush Sport Leather Seating System
- Roush CNC Billet Aluminum Pedals
- Roush Instrument Panel

The optional items for the Stage 3 Premium make up a shorter list than any other Roush Mustang, but they were offered, and those items were:

Laser Red Paint Upgrade
Roush Custom Tool Box
Convertible Styling Bar
18" Chrome Wheels & Tires Upgrade
Short Throw Shifter
Locking Lug Nuts
Roush Embroidered Floor Mats

2002-2004 Special Edition Roush Mustangs

The New Edge Stage 3 Roush Mustangs offered the best of cutting age aerodynamics and high performance, all with a warranty. Even though the Stage 3 was regarded as the top of the line Roush model, there were special model lines in 2002, 2003, and 2004 which were named for their horsepower output, and they stood out from the other packages thanks to their retro paint and striping scheme. Introduced in 2002, the first of these special models was the 360R, and while it was basically a fully loaded Stage 3 Premium, it had a special design scheme reminiscent of the GT350 and GT500 of the muscle car era. It packed 360 horsepower and 375 lb-ft of torque, and came in white with blue stripes, or red with white stripes. In 2003 and 2004, the 360R was changed to the 380R, and subsequently, the power output was increased to 379 horsepower and 380 lb-ft of torque. Also, a full range of colors were offered with all of the interior and exterior upgrades offered on all of the various Stages.

2003 also offered a few other special edition Roush Mustangs. The Jack Roush Classic was basically a 380R, but only 50 were made, and the JRC model had a more comfortable interior and a softer suspension making it a more relaxed street car, but still packed the punch of the 380R. The next special edition 2003 Roush was the Boyd Coddington California Roadster, and this came as both an appearance package, or an engine upgrade and appearance package, but all 100 made only came as convertibles. They were limited to silver and black, red and black, and yellow and blue. If the supercharged California roadster was chosen, it came equipped with the 2001 Roush hood; otherwise, it just came with the standard GT hood.

2004 brought about the 40th anniversary of the Mustang, and with it, a special edition Roush to commemorate the occasion. This Roush anniversary edition was named the 440-A, and it came in a variety of colors. It was named for its massive power output, 400 horsepower, and the 40-A part stands for 40th anniversary. The power increase comes thanks to a change of the supercharger pulley, the air induction system, and a high flow exhaust system. The second of the 2004 special editions was the Roush Shaker GT. This package was an appearance package and it included the Shaker hood system found on the rebirth of the Mach1 Mustang, as well as a wheel upgrade and front and rear fascia.

The Modern Roush Mustangs

When the 2005 Mustang was released, it was a retro looking model, and was an instant hit with the performance car market due to its look, and the increase in horsepower to all models. The Roush Mustang held true to its prior stage designs, with a Sport, Stage 1, Stage 2, and Stage 3. Just like the previous models, the first three are appearance and suspension packages, with some minor performance upgrades, and the Stage 3 is a heavily modified GT.

The 2005+ Roush Sport is an aero kit, it is offered on the V6 and GT, and includes the following items:

6 Piece Aerobody Kit (Front Fascia, Rocker Panels, Rear Valances and Rear Wing)
Rear Exit High Performance Exhaust
Exhaust Tips
Lower Valance Fog Lamps
Roush Embroidered Floor Mats
Roush Fender Badges
Roush Front Windshield Banner

And the following options may be added to the Roush Sport package:

Mustang Racing Stripes
ROUSH Sport Leather Seating
ROUSH White Face Gauge Cluster w/ Illuminated "Jack Roush" Autograph
Chin Spoiler
Interior Dash Trim Kit (Engine Swirl Design)
Quarter Window Louvers (Coupes ONLY)
ROUSH Pedals - CNC Billet Aluminum
Hood Scoop
Convertible Light Bar
Billet Aluminum Shift Knob

The Stage 1 package currently offered is a more aggressive aero and styling package, it is offered on the V6 and GT, and includes the following items:

6 Piece Aerobody Kit (Front Fascia, Rocker Panels, Rear Valances and Rear Wing)
ROUSH 18-Inch Chrome Wheel & with High Performance Tires
Rear Exit High Performance Exhaust
Exhaust Tips
Lower Valance Fog Lamps
ROUSH Embroidered Floor Mats
ROUSH Fender Badges
ROUSH Deck lid Emblem
ROUSH Front Windshield Banner
Mustang Racing Stripes

And the following options may be added to the Roush Stage 1 package:

ROUSH Sport Leather Seating
ROUSH White Face Gauge Cluster w/ Illuminated "Jack Roush" Autograph
Chin Spoiler
Interior Dash Trim Kit (Engine Swirl Design)
Quarter Window Louvers (Coupes ONLY)
ROUSH Pedals - (Auto or Manual) CNC Billet Aluminum
Locking Lug Nuts
Hood Scoop
Convertible Light Bar
Billet Aluminum Shift Knob

The Stage 2 Roush package currently offered is only available on the GT models, and contains the aero upgrades of the Sport and Stage 1 packages, but includes an upgrade to the cars suspension system. The standard items of the Stage 2 are:

6 Piece Aerobody Kit (Front Fascia, Rocker Panels, Rear Valances and Rear Wing)
ROUSH 18-Inch Chrome Wheel & with High Performance Tires
Rear Exit High Performance Exhaust
Exhaust Tips
Lower Valance Fog Lamps
ROUSH Embroidered Floor Mats
ROUSH Fender Badges
ROUSH Deck lid Emblem
ROUSH Front Windshield Banner
ROUSH Front Chin Spoiler
ROUSH Suspension System (Front Struts, Rear Shocks, Front and Rear Springs, Front Sway Bar)

And the following options may be added to the Roush Stage 2 package:

Mustang Racing Stripes
ROUSH Sport Leather Seating
ROUSH White Face Gauge Cluster w/ Illuminated "Jack Roush" Autograph
Interior Dash Trim Kit (carbon Fiber Design)
Quarter Window Louvers (Coupes ONLY)
ROUSH Pedals - CNC Billet Aluminum
Locking Lug Nuts
Hood Scoop
Convertible Light Bar
Billet Aluminum Shift Knob

The Stage 3 currently offered by Roush, is much like the Stage 3 offered in the New Edge Mustangs, but with a lot more bite to back its gnarly bark. Packing 415 horsepower, and 385 lb-ft of torque, this is the most powerful Roush Mustang ever offered, and the performance aspects of the new Stage 3 are not just under the hood. A high performance, tuned suspension system and specially designed aero kit make this possibly one of the meanest "stock" Mustangs ever built, pending the release of the 2007 GT500, of course. The standard features of this new Roush high end Mustang are:

ROUSHcharged 4.6L powertrain system (Additional components include ROUSHcharger, intake manifolds, intercooler & radiator, air induction system, ROUSH calibrated ECM and many others) Produces 415hp / 385lb-ft
ROUSH 7 Piece Aerobody Kit (Front Fascia, Front Chin Spoiler, Hood Scoop, Rocker Panels, Rear Fascia Valance and Rear Wing)
Lower Valance Fog Lamps
ROUSH 18-Inch Forged Chrome Wheel & with Ultra-High Performance Tires
ROUSH Rear Exit High Performance Exhaust w/ Chromed Tips
ROUSH Fender Badges
ROUSH Deck lid Emblem
ROUSH Embroidered Floor Mats
ROUSH Front Windshield Banner
ROUSH Billet Aluminum Shifter Handle
ROUSH Pedals w/ Dead Pedal (CNC Billet Aluminum)
ROUSH Stage 3 White Face Gauge Cluster (Electro luminescent)
ROUSH Stage 3 Sport Leather Seating
ROUSH Suspension System (includes: Front Struts, Rear Shocks, Front and Rear Springs, Front Sway Bar and Rear Sway Bar, and Pinion Snubbers)
ROUSH Brake Kit w/ 14" Front 2-Piece Rotors and 4-Piston Calipers)
ROUSH Serialized Engine Bay Plaque

In addition, the following options may be added to the Roush Stage 3 package:

Mustang Racing Stripes
Interior Dash Trim Kit (carbon Fiber Design)
Quarter Window Louvers (Coupes ONLY)
Locking Lug Nuts
Convertible Light Bar (Convertible Only)
Billet Aluminum Shift Knob w/ Grips
Billet Shifter Arm with ROUSH Shift Knob - "Ball & Stick" Coming Soon
Short Throw Shifter Coming Soon
Trunk Mounted Tool Kit

While there are currently no "special edition" Roush Mustangs, rumors have it that there could be a newer version of the 380R in the works, but of course it would have more than 379 horsepower, seeing as how the current Stage 3 has 415 horsepower. Also, considering how powerful and sought after the prior special edition models were, it would be no surprise to see more high performance special edition Roush models.