John Stamper's '90 LX Notchback: Calling Card

Horse Sense: The 8-psi Vortech supercharger kit and the Vortech aftercooler sell for around $2,400 and $1,400 respectively. Put that on top of a solid motor with good heads, then add the appropriate fuel system, and you'll be well on your way to making more than 700 hp at the wheels.

John Stamper has the right idea about cars. Not concerned with class legislation, he's been content to construct the 5.0 Mustang he wants to build: simple, powerful, and respected. In many ways, the car tells us more about the man who built it than he would ever tell you about himself. In the end, John's goal was simple-build a 5.0 Mustang that's a lot of fun to drive.

Starting with the exterior of his own car, John didn't waste his money on looks. Nope-this is a down-to-business sort of car for an all-business owner. The Cervini's hood is a great mod, as it dumps some of the front weight and adds style. Other than the lightweight Weld rims, everything is as Detroit designed it or "a subtle little lady going down the street," as John describes the look.

After leaving the Army, John turned his focus to the 5.0 Mustang, which at that time was starting to take over the streets of America. Looking for the next big thing in Ford muscle, the 5.0 Mustang was the obvious choice. John bought his notchback and began modifying it with the disciplined planning and execution befitting his military background. In 1995, John opened his own performance shop, Super Chargers Plus [(317) 440-2314] in Indianapolis, realizing that many people could benefit from his experience and skills.

Starting with the exterior of his own car, John didn't waste his money on looks. Nope-this is a down-to-business sort of car for an all-business owner. The Cervini's hood is a great mod, as it dumps some of the front weight and adds style. Other than the lightweight Weld rims, everything is as Detroit designed it or "a subtle little lady going down the street," as John describes the look.

But it's no subtle lady when the throttle is cranked. John put together the motor in 1998, and through the years he's bolted several good pieces on the 306. We captured it on film in the summer of 2004. Featuring a Vortech T-Trim, a Vortech Power Cooler, Trick Flow Twisted Wedge heads, and little else, the motor was kicking out more than 600 hp before John shut it down due to lack of fuel during a chassis-dyno test session. Then he popped in some 50-pounders that replaced the overwhelmed 36-lb/hr injectors and added a second Vortech T-Rex fuel pump. To be honest, he's probably still on the dangerous side when the thing hits 26-plus-pounds of boost, but John quickly admits the current fuel system isn't his last.

He chose a proven performer with an F303 Ford camshaft, which was designed to work with supercharged combinations just like John's. Sure, there are dozens of custom blower-specific camshafts to choose from now, but John isn't into giving away his street manners for the sake of some horsepower. We have to say, though, you could probably find another 100 hp in this combo if you started testing camshafts.

"In 1998, it was one of the better cams," John tells us regarding the F cam. "I just built this motor for fun. It had to be street friendly. The F303 doesn't have a ton of lobe, and you can make it idle nicely. I'll tell you, it has a ton of top-end power."

The performance of John's 5.0 Mustang is mind-numbing on the street, yet the actual numbers have yet to be quantified on a dragstrip. It's a lightweight coupe at around 3,100 pounds with more than 700 hp at the tires. Once the fuel system and tune have been corrected, we're confident it won't have a problem joining the nine-second club sometime soon.

If you doubt that estimate, maybe you should head over to John's shop and check out the car in person. He had this to say about how his Mustang fits into his business plan: "More than 98 percent of my business is installing blowers on stock, street-driven cars. My customers always want to know how much horsepower they make and how fast they'll go. And, the best way to show them what X amount of horsepower feels like is to take them for a ride in my car. Along with the blower kit, they get a ride in the car. I tell them their car isn't going to run like this, but it does give them an idea of what they're in for. You know, when I get on this car, it's just wild. For most guys, it scares the heck out of them."

So-you get a blower install and a ride in this nasty notchback? Where do I sign up, Mr. Stamper?

5.0 TECH SPECS

ENGINE AND DRIVETRAIN
BLOCK: Stock (0.030-in overbore)
DISPLACEMENT: 306 ci
CYLINDER HEADS: Trick Flow Twisted Wedge ported by Indy Cylinder Head
CAMSHAFT: FRPP F303
INTAKE MANIFOLD: Extrude Honed Vortech Saleen
THROTTLE BODY: FRPP 65mm
POWER ADDER: Vortech T-Trim
EXHAUST: MAC 151/48-in short-tube headers, MAC 211/42-in H-pipe, Flowmaster mufflers
FUEL SYSTEM: Twin T-Rex pumps, 11/42-in feed line, 31/48-in return line, Vortech fuel rails,Aeromotive fuel-pressure regulator, 50-lb/hr injectors
TRANSMISSION: Dynamic C4 Mitey Mite, Dynamic 3,800-stall converter
REAREND: 8.8-in ford w/3.55 gears

ELECTRONICS
ENGINE MANAGEMENT: Stock computer
IGNITION: MSD 6AL BTM, MSD coil, Taylor 409 wires, Autolite spark plugs
GUAGES: Auto Meter tachometer and assorted gauges, custom switch panel in radio-deletePlate

SUSPENSION AND CHASSIS

Front Suspension
K-MEMBER: Stock
A-ARMS: Stock
SPRINGS: Moroso
STRUTS: Koni
WHEELS: Weld Drag Lite
TIRES: M/T
BREAKES: Stock

Rear Suspension
SPRINGS: Moroso
SHOCKS: Koni
CONTROL ARMS: Metco double-adjustable upper, South Side Machine lower
TRACTION DEVICES: Performance Automotive antiroll bar
WHEELS: Weld Drag Lite
TIRES: M/T 28x10.5
BREAKES: Stock
CHASSIS STIFFENING: Superchargers Plus custom 10-point chrome-moly 'cage with subframeConnectors