Where would Mustang racing be today if the "Big 3" power adders had never been introduced to our favorite ride years ago? Be it nitrous oxide, a blower, or a turbo, most of today's hard-core race Mustangs pack a little more than just strong engines. When it comes to power adders, there's a near endless amount of equipment available for each flavor.
"Blow-through" is the buzz term for the latest rage in centrifugal supercharger and turbocharger drag-race Mustangs-where forced air is blown through a carburetor as opposed to the EFI/throttle-body systems that have been the norm for years when using either power adder. Barry Grant's [(706) 864-8544; www.barrygrant.com] new, Mighty Demon BT blow-through series are the carbs to use when a non-EFI, forced-air-induction application is your plan. These carburetors are available in sizes ranging from 650 to 850 cfm and are baseline calibrated (metering and fuel-curve circuits) for your turbo or supercharged application prior to shipping. They feature pressure-sealed throttle shafts, three base-plate-mounted boost/vacuum ports, and milled choke horns for reducing air turbulence between the carb cap and carburetor itself. Mighty Demon BT carbs are must-haves for diehard carburetor aficionados who want to race with boost but without the higher cost of a full-deal EFI setup.
Many hard-core 'Stang racers employ multistage nitrous systems (two-or-more shots) as their weapons of choice, and there are a lot of parameters involved with using these systems and getting them to work well with changes in track conditions. One of those parameters is activation time, and that's where devices such as this come in handy. It's the PROgressive timer (PN 0200) by Racing Instrumentation [(562) 492-1394; www.racing-instrumentation.com/progressive-controller]. This box is relatively new to the nitrous-timer market, but it's user-friendly and it complies with most sanctions' rules regarding controls/timers for nitrous systems. Timers for multiple stages are usually OK-it's the progressive nitrous controller devices that seem to get the Tech officials hyped, especially in classes where traction is challenged by limited tire sizes and/or rear suspensions. The timer includes several unique features that can be a huge benefit to the nitrous racer. Using the supplied software and a laptop computer, racers can apply timer maps, or programs, to as many as all six of the PROgressive timer's 20hz output channels. The timer goes to work the instant the transbrake button or clutch pedal is released. It can store two unique maps at one time, and either program can be selected at any time before a run by simply flipping a switch. The PROgressive also features a cumulative timer that enables it to pick back up where it left off in a "pedaling event," which is unlike the Digi-Set-style timers that have a delay before restarting after the wide-open-throttle contact has been broken. It also has a transbrake cutout function that prevents damaging the transmission by nitrous being prematurely fired while the transbrake is activated and the throttle is wide open. Yes-it's the new kid on the block, but this nitrous timer is cool, versatile, and it doesn't require a math degree to figure out. It's strongly recommended for multistage nitrous users looking for that extra edge.
This is an example of a boost controller for turbocharged Mustangs. A multistage, electronic controller (PN MSBC-1) from Innovative Turbo [(805) 526-5400; www.innovativeturbo.com] is pictured above, and the regulator, or "the knob," as turbo racers refer it to, is below. By the most basic of definitions, a boost controller limits boost to a set level at various points during a run by applying pressure to a wastegate on the exhaust and allowing air to vent into the atmosphere. This process repeats itself many times per second in order to create a consistent pressure.
The electronic controllers are popular because they give racers the ability to dial in several stages of boost control. The more common form of controlling stages is time delay. For instance, boost can be limited to 12 pounds to allow the car to launch, then after a preset time a second stage increases boost to 20 pounds, and so on. A finely tuned boost controller allows racers to make as much power as possible. It's up to the chassis and tires to hold it. The boost controller is critical to racing with a turbo at the heads-up level, but it's important to check out class rules before installing one.