| TIMESLIPS |
| Run 1 | | Run 2 | | Run 3 | |
| R/T: | 0.240 | R/T: | 0.229 | R/T: | 0.395 |
| 60-foot: | 1.860 | 60-foot: | 2.047 | 60-foot: | 2.108 |
| 330: | 5.324 | 330: | 5.607 | 330: | 5.550 |
| 1/8: | 8.111 | 1/8: | 8.396 | 1/8: | 8.275 |
| MPH: | 88.160 | MPH: | 90.700 | MPH: | 92.540 |
| 1,000: | 10.506 | 1,000: | 10.744 | 1,000: | 10.557 |
| 1/4: | 12.483 | 1/4: | 12.686 | 1/4: | 12.472 |
| MPH: | 114.930 | MPH: | 116.900 | MPH: | 119.100 |
At the suggestion of tuner Brian Schapiro of B&D Racing, we used VP Racing Fuels' Street Blaze 100 100-octane unleaded gas for our dragstrip tests. While we didn't change the PCM's tune, having the extra octane (versus the lame 91 octane of California's pump gas) is insurance against detonation and engine damage when pushing the car hard.
We learned online and through firsthand experience of track testing that air pressure is critical to racing with drag radials. Moroso's slick digital Pro Series tire-pressure gauge (PN 89562) was used to ensure pressure in the Nittos was precisely what we wanted for every run (optimum pressures ranged between 12.5 and 14 psi during our tests). Unbeknownst to anyone else, behind the deep-dish Bullitts, the GT's 8.8 rear has been fortified with Strange Engineering's S/S Series 31-spline axles (PN 3111; $249.50) and a Detroit True Trac locking differential with Motive Gear's 3.90 ring and pinion kit. The beefy C-clip axles are fully compliant with a New Edge 'Stang's factory rear brakes and parking brake, and we set up ours with stock-length lugs so everything looks normal when the wheels are mounted.
A quick note on safety: This collection of miscellaneous items was found in the back seat of the project Mustang after they flew out of the small, netted cargo holder in the headliner during a hard launch. Make sure this area is clear of such projectiles when you take your New Edge Pony to the track. Flying items in the cockpit are not only a distraction, they're dangerous!
The purpose of our track outing was more for experimentation than competition. However, we entered the Pacific Street Car Association's Mustang Maddness class (a Mustangs-only, Open Comp-format category sponsored by Ford Racing) with hidden hopes that the racing upgrades would help carry our street sleeper to a final round, or maybe even a win in its first outing. While there was no such Cinderella ending (Justin Keller ended our day in round two), we did learn quite a bit about the power that the Two-Valve/F-1A race blower combination makes, and how to finesse that power for better performance on drag radials by slipping the clutch and finding the sweet spot for launch rpm and tire pressure.