The plan was to add an even larger supercharger, a 4.0L unit that Ford Racing reserves for its Super Cobra Jet program. The kit, unfortunately, wasn't obtainable in time for the season-opening NMRA Spring Break Shootout this past March. Evolution simply added a Circle D torque converter, and then Chris removed his 20-inch Forgestar wheels for Weld Racing RTS rims. The Weld wheels are 17-inches up front with M&H tires, and out back the 15x10 RTS wheels sport Mickey Thompson ET-Drag 28x10.5W slicks. In this trim, Cruz pushed his GT/CS to an impressive 9.50 at 147 mph--sans nitrous.
FRPP got the larger Whipple supercharger shipped out, along with its 10-rib pulley system. Evolution added a few more parts and pieces to get maximum performance from the combination. A Whipple Crusher inlet elbow, FRPP Super Mono-blade throttle body, and JLT Super Big Air 140mm cold air intake kit were all added to help feed the big rotors. RJ Machine made a custom 10-rib pulley to help set the boost to 24 psi. Keeping the compressed air cool is an AFCO dual-pass heat exchanger, coated in black, a new option for the company's heat-exchanger products. Circle D also modified the 6R80 with Exedy clutches and deeper trans oil pan.
The sheer size of the 4.0L supercharger required a switch to a Cervini's 4-inch cowl induction hood, matched with black graphics to offset the white paint. A Shelby GT500 wing was also added, making the car look longer and sleeker. The hook comes courtesy of Steeda Hardcore components, including an upper control arm, lower control arms, and a lightweight radiator support. Evolution made its own adjustable Panhard bar and torque box braces, while Eibach springs, Strange shocks, and QA1 struts round out the package. Lund was brought back to put the car through its paces on Evo's Mustang Dyno. Using SCT software, he made the necessary tuning adjustments for the E85 fuel and the new supercharger. The results are nothing short of outstanding--1,002 rwhp and 1,070 lb-ft of torque, also at the wheels.
On track, the car continues to dazzle the senses with a best time of 8.99 and a terminal speed of 153 mph through the traps. It marked the first time a 6R80-equipped Mustang has run in the 8s, and as of this writing it's the only twin-screw combination to do so. We watched Chris pull on the scales after the run and it tipped the digital meter to 3,905 pounds, with driver. By our calculations, that puts output close to 1,100 horsepower, and Chris never let the GT/CS stray from its street theme. Our follow-up question--what's next? Chris' response, "I think we are going to put the nitrous back on and see how much faster we can go." The Cruz Missile is definitely one to avoid if you are out and about on the New Jersey streets.