Powering this Mustang is a...
Powering this Mustang is a 318-inch small-block that makes in excess of 800 hp. The key components are having excellent induction flow, lots of compression and lots of rpm, as this monster screams well past 10,000 rpm.
The transmission is a G-Force GF-2000 clutchless five-speed hooked to a 7-inch ACE dual-disc clutch, pressure plate, and flywheel. "It's funny, when people look at this car, they just assume it's a Pro Street car and it should have a turbo or nitrous and be running in the 7s," Gusso says. "Yes, there are a lot of rules in Comp but that doesn't really bother me. It's a challenge to make a car like this go fast and stay within the rules and I really enjoy that challenge."
Once the engine and chassis were finished, Gusso and his brother completed the car by adding a set of American Racing wheels and Mickey Thompson tires in the front and a pair of Bogart Pro Stars supporting a set of 14.5 x 31.5-inch Goodyear slicks in the rear.
With everything ready to roll, the Mustang was sent to Landmark Frame and Body where it was painted an eye-catching shade of Dodge Viper-Blue Pearl. The Gusso boys then brought the car out in mid-2006, and after some initial teething pains, have made steady progress, running as quick as 8.8-seconds at over 150 mph. This is quite a step up from their previous race car, which rarely topped 115 mph.
High RPM small-blocks take...
High RPM small-blocks take some maintenance and so Trent checks the valve spring pressure after every pass.
One of the things that Travis is most proud of is that in two years, he has yet to abort a run, which he attributes to his brother's chassis tuning ability. "When I made my first runs, I had never driven anything that was even close to this fast," states Travis. "First of all, you sit down low and you have to look around the hood scoop. It feels like a real race car. Going down the track, the engine revs so fast that you've really got to be on time with your shifts. By the time I hit high gear in my other car, it was starting to nose over, but this car pulls all the way to the finish line. I haven't had to use the parachute, but at 150 mph, you've got to get on the brakes pretty quickly when you pass the finish line. It really is a fun car to drive."
For 2009 Gusso will be back on track with more power and lower times. "If we can get the car to run just a tenth quicker, we can be competitive in our home division," he says. "It sounds simple but I know it's not going to be easy. I know I could have probably built something else and not had to work as hard, but this is more fun. Besides, I've become attached to this car so I think I'll keep it around a while longer."