1985 Mustang LX - Dream-Car Garage

On the topside, Jeff chose Brodix ST50 heads that feature a M2 CNC-port job and 220cc runners. He elected to back-cut the 2.08-inch intake and 1.600-inch exhaust valves to help increase midlift airflow. A Comp camshaft bumps open the valves at a rather high lift-the intake valves open 0.700 inch while the exhaust valves drop into the cylinder 0.680 inch. The rest of the valvetrain includes a Jesel beltdrive system, T&D 1.6:1 rocker arms, Comp roller lifters, Manley double springs (heads machined to accept oversized valves), and Manley pushrods. An Edelbrock Super Victor intake manifold was ported by Wilson Manifolds and has a four-hole Wilson spacer. A Barry Grant Race Demon carburetor drops the air and fuel into the intake. Nitrous Express' Hitman plate system adds about a 200hp increase in power at the touch of a button. Aeromotive came through with an SS pump and adjustable regulator. The fuel pressure is set at 8 psi. A separate fuel-pressure regulator is set to the nitrous system, and that checks in with 10 psi of pressure.

The engine was stout, but it wasn't the only piece of the project that was supplemented by donations. Originally the goal was to build Jacob's ride, but its rusty condition made it unusable. An '85 Mustang LX coupe body was donated to the cause, and Jeff built the stripped shell into a dedicated drag car. Along the way, he received a lot of help from friends Craig Baldwin and Andy Burnett. Despite having a new shell to work with and the manpower to complete the job, some pieces to the puzzle were still missing.

Remember we said word was spreading quickly through the industry? NHRA Pro Stock racer and partner of Jegs Mail Order, Jeg Coughlin Jr., became privy to the situation. He popped open the Jegs catalog and started drop-shipping parts to fill the holes in the Stealy Performance wish list. The complete front suspension was donated, and it consists of a QA1 K-member, A-arms, coilover struts, and many other components. Jegs then sent over a Jegster eight-point cage to help get the coupe to nine-second SFI certification. Anthony Lane installed the mild steel cage and added a few more bars to help stiffness and make the car even safer. The rear suspension consists of Granatelli Motor Sport upper and lower control arms, also donated by Jegs. The Mustang was sprayed in Sonic Blue, and the only nonstock body piece is the HO Fibertrends cowl-induction hood.

In the midst of the build, there was more bad news: Jeff was diagnosed with cancer. He began the healing process with chemotherapy, but he tinkered with the car when time permitted. With the coupe close to completion, Jeff stepped up efforts to have it done by summer 2006. The Stang was fired up in July, and it debuted at the NMRA/NMCA Super Bowl of Drag Racing in Joliet, Illinois. The summer heat couldn't stop this meticulous race car from grabbing 9-second timeslips, and that was off the nitrous. After about a dozen or so passes, the best time was a 9.70 at 139 mph with a best 60-foot time of 1.38.

This tribute to Jacob Littrell will be given away once all the raffle tickets are sold. Contact Stealy Performance (309/792-3333) for information on how to obtain a ticket. There is a PayPal account for online transactions.

Jeff sums up all of his feelings about getting the car completed by saying, "All of the parts and labor were donated by people who have a heart and care."