Yours truly has been accused of having a favorable eye toward black cars, but Doug's black GTS packs the simplicity of lightweight components mixed with killer power and sinister looks. Even though one of the hottest trends today is removing the factory rear spoiler, the GTS didn't come with one, so Doug is not on the bandwagon. And the addition of the Cobra front bumper only adds to the car's wicked demeanor.
While the bottom end is mostly...
While the bottom end is mostly stock, the top end is not. Doug home-ported the Trick Flow Twisted Wedge heads and the Cobra intake. A Wolverine cam actuates the valvetrain. However, the big boost (sorry-couldn't resist) in horsepower came with the addition of an ATI ProCharger P-1SC supercharger. Even after the installation, horsepower wasn't up to snuff, so Doug took a trip to Lugo Performance in Apopka, Florida, for a dyno tune. Starting out with 332 hp and 302 lb-ft of torque, Lugo was able to pull an extra 90 hp and 96 lb-ft of torque from the combination.
After 36,000 hard miles, the stroker decided it had enough of Doug's abuse, sending him into a frenzy of what-to-dos. Since he was heading back to school to continue his engineering education, he thought adding a stock short-block with just a few goodies would be the most financially sound way to go. Eddie Vunk built the short-block using ARP main and rod bolts, a MAC windage tray, forged pistons, and Speed-Pro rings. Eddie added Doug's existing top-end components and a fresh Wolverine cam to the short-block, which has been in service for more than two years now. Doug's most recent addition was an ATI ProCharger P-1SC supercharger (a present from his wife, Sabrina!) along with 30-lb/hr injectors, a BBK inline fuel pump, and a Crane TRC-2 boost retard. For this, he was rewarded with 422 hp and 398 lb-ft of torque on Lugo Performance's Mustang Dynamometer.
Doug hasn't been to the track with the supercharger, but it's safe to say he'll be giving lessons on how to go fast to whomever is in the other lane.
| 5.0 TECH SPECS |
| ENGINE AND DRIVETRAIN |
| Block | Stock, ARP main bolts, MAC
windage tray |
| Cylinder Heads | Trick Flow Twisted Wedge (owner-ported), Scorpion rockers |
| Intake Manifold | Cobra |
| Camshaft | Wolverine |
| Power Adder | ATI ProCharger P-1SC |
| Exhaust | BBK long-tubes, MAC H-pipe, and
Flowmasters with turndowns |
| Fuel Pumps | Stock in-tank with BBK inline |
| Fuel Injectors | 30 lb/hr |
| Transmission | TTC 3550, Pro-5.0 shifter,
Ford Racing Performance Parts
Cobra clutch, aluminum driveshaft |
| Rearend | 8.8 with 4.10 gears, TA girdle,
Auburn Pro differential,
Moser 31-spline axles |
| Cooling | Griffin radiator, 180-degree
thermostat |
| ELECTRONICS |
| Engine Management | Stock computer
with APE chip |
| Ignition | Crane HI-6S with
TRC-2 boost retard |
| Gauges | Auto Meter |
| SUSPENSION AND CHASSIS |
| Springs | Eibach |
| Struts/Shocks | KYB |
| Rear Suspension | Factory Five |
| Wheels | ’98 Cobra (front), AFS Cobra R
17x10.5 (rear) |
| Tires | Sumitomo 245/40 (front),
Michelin Pilot 335/35 (rear) |
| Brakes | Stock with Hawk brake pads |
| Rollcage | S&W six-point |