Last year, Vinny Barber ran mid 8s with nothing more than a built Three-Valve engine and a custom turbo system from Modular Depot. Barber's Stang was the quickest single power adder S197. Sure, the 2005 Mustang GT had more mods than just a turbo engine, but it was still a pretty basic combination. This year, Barber wants to run even faster. Modular Depot is hard at work in making the required changes for his request.
Big Mike Wilson of Modular Depot is adding a 25.5-certified cage, good for 7.50 times at NHRA and IHRA tracks. The shop is also working on a new engine combination. BES has bored and stroked a Ford Racing Boss block and expanded it to 302ci. MD's Ken Bjonnes lightened the S197, rewired it for a more racier setup, and added a Big Stuff 3 engine management system for better control of the 1,100 horsepower turbo engine.
The team is trying to get the car finished for the NMRA season opener in Bradenton, FL over the weekend of March 5-8, 2009.