How to Get the Governor Taken Out of a Mustang

Stock Ford Mustangs can go faster, but Ford installs a speed governor to limit how fast the Mustang can drive. The governor helps keep the vehicle, driver, passengers and public safe. Driving over the speed limit is illegal, so most drivers who remove the governor register the Mustang for legally sanctioned track races. The governor is not a physical part, but a program written into the car's electronic control unit, or ECU. The ECU needs to be rewritten in a process called "Chipping."

Step 1 - Find a performance ECU programmer specific to your year and make of Mustang. These programmers are unlikely to be in stock at a store, so your best bet is to order one on the Internet or through a catalog.

Step 2 - Read the programmer's instructions carefully. Most programmers will automatically upload performance enhancement programs, but will not eliminate the speed limiter. Find out how to customize the program to you can set the speed limiter manually.

Step 3 - Turn off the radio, all lights and any other electronic equipment in the vehicle. Plug the programmer into the OBD outlet found on the dash underneath the steering column. Look at the screen on the programmer and, when prompted, turn the key to the "On" position in the ignition.

Step 4 - Read and follow the prompts on the programmer. Act quickly because some programmers will automatically upload unless you hit a key within a certain time frame. Find the customized speed limiter menu.

Set the speed limiter very high, so it won't be an issue and is essentially removed.

TIPS: Some programmers are made specifically for the type of ECU in your Mustang. These programmers are best for your car. To locate your computer number look for a silver patch or bracket built into the fuse panel under the hood. The computer number is located on the ECU, underneath the passenger side kick panel, on pre-2005 models. The number comes as two or three letters followed by one or two numbers.

WARNINGS: Removing the speed limiter without installing safety and performance upgrades on your Mustang may be unsafe. Check with a mechanic before driving past the governor's limit of 115 mph.

Removing the limiter may change the output of emissions in your vehicle causing you to fail a state emissions test.

Laws are always changing. It is the state's responsibility to create and enforce laws that govern street legal vehicles. Always check with your state's Department of Motor Vehicles or Department of Transportation before removing the limiter.