2011 Spring 5.0 Shootout - The Real Deal

Nelson Whitlock

The last time we saw Evolution Performance's Kona Blue '11 GT, it was breaking into the 8-second zone. The car has already seen a complete, um, evolution in its combination since it made its 10-second debut on these pages. At MIR, the Evo tester was sporting Kenne Bell's 3.6-liter Mammoth supercharger system atop a built engine and backed by a C4. Evo hotshoe Nelson Whitlock quickly topped the qualifying sheet with a 9.21 at 140.07 mph; then he waited to meet Sean Kelley in the finals. After a double redlight, it was a do-over, and Nelson took the crown with patience and a 9.48 at 145.59.

• Kenne Bell 3.6LC supercharger, 24 pounds of boost
• L&M Race Engines-built 5.0 w/Oliver billet rods and custom Diamond Pistons
• Fore Precision Works F4 fuel-pressure regulator
• Fore Precision Works fuel filter
• Aeromotive Return fuel system
• American Racing Headers 17/8-in long-tubes
• Pro-Formance C4 transmission
• Frank Lupo's Dynamic converter
• Evolution Performance 4-in aluminum driveshaft

Electronics

• N2MB Racing WOT box two-step
• Custom-tuned by Jon Lund

Suspension And Chassis

• Evolution Performance-fabricated Ford 9-in rear with built on antiroll bar
• Evolution upper control arm and mount
• Evolution billet lower control arms
• Evolution adjustable race Panhard bar and brace
• 15-inch Bogart racing wheels
• Mickey Thompson ET drag slicks

Sean Kelley

Sean Kelley describes his ride as a "quiet little street car," and compared to the other heavy hitters in the Unlimited category, his stock-muffler car was pretty tame. That's saying something, as Sean's car sports both a Paxton supercharger and nitrous, but his daily driver also runs with a large number of stock parts. With that in mind, his number-two qualified blast of 9.51 at 146.23 was impressive. Sean squared off against Justin Burcham for a shot at Nelson Whitlock in the finals. Justin got the jump but ran into trouble, and Sean ran it out the back door to the tune of 9.47 at 138.26. The finals were full of drama as both cars lit the red bulb on the first attempt. On the second try, Sean knew he had to get the jump and left early again, handing Nelson the win.

• L&M 10:1 compression short-block
• JPC/RGR-ported heads with stock cams
• Paxton NOVI 2200, 8 psi
• Induction Solutions direct-port nitrous setup (150 shot)
• Stock fuel pump w/Kenne Bell Boost-a-Pump
• American Racing Headers 17/8-in long-tubes and midpipe
• Worked stock converter
• 3.55 gears

Electronics

• Custom tune by Brent Hughes of DynoTuned Performance

Suspension And Chassis

• Antiroll bar by Matt Wirt of Racefab Engineering
• Race Star wheels
• Mickey Thompson 28x10.5-in slicks

Justin Burcham

After years of watching Team JPC assemble a race car in the pits and make it into the lanes just in time, it was no surprise to see Justin Burcham with a just-in-time arrival for qualifying. After fighting off gremlins to the point of exasperation, Justin was inspired by his young son to keep up the fight. He made it on the dyno the morning of the event, and arrived in time to qualify with a 9.72 at 141.89. It looked as if it was anyone's race between Justin and Sean Kelley, but a missed shift ended Justin's run and sent Sean into the final round.

• JPC/RGR short-block
• JPC/RGR CNC heads
• Stock cams
• JPC long-tube headers, X-style pipe
• Bassani mufflers
• Paxton Novi 2200 Supercharger
• (six-rib,13 psi)
• Paxton air-to-air intercooler
• Tremec Magnum six-speed
• McLeod RSX twin-disc clutch, aluminum flywheel
• JPC one-piece aluminum driveshaft
• Fore Precision Works triple-hat return-style fuel system
• Ford Racing 60-lb/hr injectors
• Powercell 12V lithium battery
• Brisk Racing plugs
• 9-in rear
• 35-spline Strange axles
• Strange spool
• 4.30 gears

Electronics

• Custom DiabloSport Trinity tune by JPC Racing

Suspension And Chassis

• Metco lower control arms
• Racecraft upper arm and mount
• Eibach springs
• Eibach adjustable shocks and struts
• Strange Race brakes front and rear
• Insane Fabrication 10-point cage
• Bogarts Welded RT wheels
• Mickey Thompson 28x11.5-in tires