Transmission chores are handled by a Dynamic Mighty Mite C4 (with a transbrake) and a JW 4500 rpm converter. A B&M Hammer executes the gear changes in the manual valvebody tranny, and a B&M cooler helps keep the C4 alive.
Helping the Stang to 1.315 60-foot times is a Chris Alston ladder-bar setup assisted by QA1 rear shocks and springs. Up front, a QA1 tubular K-member and coilovers with Lakewood 70/30 struts aid in weight transfer. Bogart rims (15x9.75 rear, 15x4.5 front) and Mickey Thompson tires (28x11.5 rear) keep the car from resting on the ground.
Obviously, this Mustang not only goes fast, but it looks great, too. A Saleen body kit and Ed Quay aluminum wing up the ante, but to us it's the 6-inch HO Fibertrends cowl hood and flame paint that sets the car apart. Kudos go to Mike Masi of Island Part Auto Body (Port Chester, New York), who executed the James Scinto Designs flame paint scheme.
The interior has a minimalist approach. Gone are the radio and HVAC controls, the rear seat, and the stock front chairs. A couple of Jaz racing seats, Simpson restraints, and window net were added, as were a plethora of Auto Meter gauges and a Painless Wiring switch box.
Now that Pete and John have the rear straightened out, the owner is confident it's a mid-eight-second machine. His only gripe is that because of his job as the service manager of an Acura dealership, the portable dyno service, and the tanning salon he owns, there is no way he can race it in an established series. There just isn't enough time. For now, he's limited to local events and time shots.
When that's not enough, he can always open the bottle in his Crown Vic daily driver, which runs 13.8s on the spray.
Like we said, Peter Studwell is hardcore.