Tech

Too many times I have seen people that have been disappointed in their Mustang. These are the people that usually go for the high horsepower items first (Nitrous, blower, turbo etc.) and then wonder why they are beaten by a Neon at the track.

Going fast in a straight line is an art. All the money in the world is not going to make you drive faster (unless you take a driving course, that is.) Case in point. Let's say that you have a '88 LX that you have saved your hard earned money to get into. You drove it stock at the track to baseline, then worked on the items that needed the most help.

The first couple of passes at the local 1/8 mile track brought you a handful of high 9 second runs at about 75 mph. You know there is room for improvement with your 60 foots as these are in the 2.4 range. The temp at the track was high 80's and the car is stock right down to the air intake silencer.

You think you are doing good as your times equal a high 14 and that is about normal. The only thing is the guy running a stock motor'd car that is running a high 8. Now this is where the decision is made. Thinking that you can beat "that guy" has put you in a state of mind to buy a nitrous kit. The extra 150 horsepower should easly make you win, but the next time at the track you line up with him after talking some smack and get your doors blown off. What happend? I should have beat him. The times tell the tale. You ran a 9.45 at 85mph with a 2.5 60' time.

I'll tell you what happened. Bad planning. You spun so much that you barely gained anything. Truth be known that you could have beat that time with the stock car.

Now let's go over this scenaro again. Instead of just wanting to beat "that guy" you went over to talk to him. As you talk you start to learn that he has put a lot of thought and time into his car. Looking at your run he gives you some pointers about launching better and bingo, you put down a 9.40 wow. You get to know him and he has you come over to his house where he shows you a secret, the "10 minute tune-up". Then he shows you the importance of good tires.

With your new-found knowledge you head back to the track. Your first pass is an astounding 9.15 at 76. This is what it is all about. Just like in dieting, there is no "magic pill" that will make you faster. Hard work and patience will reap the best rewards.

Stay tuned to see more. Soon we will be starting a new project to show just how much a Mustang can be changed by simple mods and some level-headed tuning. You won't believe your eyes.