Ken shifts gears with a Pro-5.0...
Ken shifts gears with a Pro-5.0 shifter topped with a Hurst white shifter ball.
Speaking of the third-member, the hind legs of this Pony are a near-bulletproof Currie Enterprises 9-inch rear filled with Moser 35-spline axles, a nodular-iron centersection, 4.30 cogs, and a Detroit Locker Tru-Trac differential. Power meets the pavement via a set of Weld Draglite wheels. The front 15x3.5-inch 10-holes are wrapped in generic tires, while the 15x8-inch rear wheels are graced with M&H Racemaster DOTs when on the street, and 27x10 M&H Racemaster slicks when the dragstrip calls.
With the car predominately set up to see action a quarter-mile at a time, the suspension is geared more toward rearward weight transfer as opposed to corner-carving stiffness. A pair of Koni adjustable drag shocks are found on all four corners of the Mustang, as are Eibach drag springs. Most of the suspension work was done to the rear, however, as an airbag helps soften the shock of the launch. Also aiding in traction are Pro-Mustang adjustable upper control arms, Mega Bite Jr. lower control arms, custom frame connectors, and fully welded torque boxes and upper control arm mounts.
Ken decided to leave the Mustang in the menacing black hue it has worn since its inception. The only change he made was the addition of a fiberglass cowl hood hit with Chromabase urethane black paint. As for the interior, it was left well enough alone, minus the installation of an Auto Meter Monster tach and a triple set of gauges mounted in the far end of the dash. When all was said and done, Ken's car may look like a 12-second ride, but a 10.82/126-mph timeslip says otherwise.
"Due to our jobs and family life, the car rarely gets driven, except to an occasional cruise night or late-night get-together at a local speed shop," Ken says. "This time, I built a basic, streetable combo that puts out great power. The numbers prove the results are all in the details of the combination, not based on how much money you spend."
Now that's a simple assessment.
The only major modification...
The only major modification made to the interior of the car was the installation of a triple set of Auto Meter gauges within the dash. With the install being so clean, it almost looks as if Ford put them there.
So far, Ken has hustled his...
So far, Ken has hustled his '85 Stang to a best elapsed time of 10.82 seconds at 126 mph.
Even with high-10-second,...
Even with high-10-second, 126-mph passes, Ken still takes the Pony out for a spin to the local cruise night. Bet those Brand X-ers learn their lessons the hard way.
Even the wheel and tire package...
Even the wheel and tire package on Ken's car is simple. Tried-and-true Weld Draglites do the trick, along with a set of skinnies up front and M&H Racemasters out back. For the street, the rear hides are DOT-approved. When it comes time to put the hammer down at the track, the street tires are dumped in favor of a set of 27x10 slicks.