During the final tune-up of this engine combination, it was used by Slower Traffic Keep Right as a beta test unit for the company's TwEECer tuning system. It obviously works, as the convertible is super reliable on the track without any of the typical hiccups associated with high-horsepower street cars. Ben has also enjoyed a lot of local support from his friends at PoMoFo Racing [www.pomoforacing.com].
Ben's first race was the '03 Fun Ford Weekend event in Houston. There, he held back the car to 11s because of the lack of a full cage. "It's too much of a street car to put in a full cage, especially because it's a convertible," Ben says. "It's extremely overbuilt for an 11.00 car, but I don't have to worry about splitting a block!"
Since that first race, the convertible has seen more True Street action at FFW and The Clash of the Titans in San Antonio. And, Ben has kept his foot in it a little longer-to the tune of consistent 10.30s at more than 130 mph. He has also become a regular at any Texas racing event. His supportive wife has joined in the fun, and as we've already pointed out, he has a lot of friends who are into hot Mustangs as well.
The future of this car seems bright indeed. Unlike so many other street cars out there, this one has been heavily overengineered. "It's gone 10.30s on pump gas," Ben says. "I've yet to add race fuel or turn up the boost. With a cog system and 30 degrees of timing [the engine has 22 degrees of timing in its current configuration], I think 9.50s are possible-with some practice and nerve!"
Let's see, a low-10-second 5.0 Mustang convertible with this much style-now that's our kind of party!
| 5.0 TECH SPECS |
| ENGINE AND DRIVETRAIN |
| Block | FRPP 9.2-in deck G-351 |
| Displacement | 379 ci (assembled by |
| Ben Frazier) |
| Cylinder Heads | Trick Flow Twisted |
| Wedge ported by Total Engine Airflow |
| Camshaft | Ed Curtis/FlowTech |
| Induction custom blower grind |
| Intake Manifold | Edelbrock Super |
| Victor converted for EFI |
| Throttle Body | Accufab 75mm |
| Power Adder | Paxton Novi 2000 |
| Exhaust | BBK headers, H-pipe, |
| DynoMax Magnum mufflers |
| Fuel System | SX pump, Paxton |
| regulator, 83-lb/hr injectors |
| Transmission | Performance Automatic |
| C4 w/PA 4,000-rpm converter |
| Rearend | 8.8-in w/3.73 gears, |
| Moser 31-spline axles and differential |
| ELECTRONICS |
| Engine Management | Stock EEC IV w/TwEECer; tuned by Ben |
| Ignition | MSD |
| Gauges | Auto Meter |