1988 Ford Mustang GT - Simply Fast

If you want your 5.0 Mustang to run 10s, listen to what's under the hood of Mike's GT, because it can be replicated by anyone reading this article. The combo is based on a D.S.S. Pro Bullet 306 short-block, which was outfitted with lightly ported (by Scott Gray) Ford Racing Performance Parts GT-40X heads with 1.6 roller rockers, an Edelbrock Performer 5.0 intake, a Comp Cams grind (measuring 0.533/0.544 lift, a duration of 224/229 at 0.050, and a lobe separation of 114 degrees), a Vortech S-Trim, and a Performance Automatic C4 transmission with a 3,500-stall converter and a Winters shifter. Throw in a stock 8.8 rearend with a Moser spool and 33-spline axles, and 3.73 gears, and you have the recipe for 10-second dragstrip performance. Surround those components with a solid traction foundation and-don't call us in the morning-get to the track and eat up the competition.

Yup, just your average, black Fox GT. Looks like a 13-second street/show car, huh? But at the track, this mug runs mid 10s all day long. With the 10-mile-deep Sikkens black paint mixed with a Cervini's Auto Designs cowl hood, a Cobra grille insert, and a Cobra rear bumper cover, Mike's GT doesn't need to scream for attention like Horshack from Welcome Back Kotter. The Weld Draglites may raise a few eyebrows, but we've seen plenty of 14-second Mustangs wear them, so no one's going to give them a second look. Only when Mike launches and the front wheels are in the air on the way to another 10.50 at 128 mph do people sit up and take notice-or walk away in disgust.