Last issue, I shared with you the subject of my recent incessant YouTube rabbit-holing: modified Coyote-powered F-150 pick-ups in the States, transformed into all-paw no-prep weapons with little more than a twin-turbo kit, a fuel system, drag radials and a tune.

First published in the October 2026 issue of Street Machine

While a modified late-model Mustang lacks the all-wheel-drive grip that makes the ‘Mexican GT-Rs’ such weapons from a dig on a street-style surface, they’re significantly lighter than the trucks, and would make an awesome platform for a properly fast late-model muscle car.

Back in his November 2019 Stage Write column, Street Machine contributor Bob Kotmel wrote of Dave Sheehy’s Mustang running 10.08@134mph with an internally stock Coyote, naturally aspirated on E85 – although admittedly after a fair amount of weight reduction. That’s extremely rapid for a factory late-model car with only breathing mods and a tune for horsepower.

During a recent trip to Benaraby Dragway, Telfo came across Maree Olive’s full-weight 10-speed Mustang GT that ran a best of 10.82@128mph naturally aspirated on E85 with just a set of extractors, a cold-air intake and a flash tune. Seriously impressive.

For how quick these Mustangs can go with such little investment, I feel like they’re an underrated platform by Aussie gearheads, and it got me wondering how quick one could go on a stock engine and transmission with a couple of turbos employed. And so began another YouTube rabbit-holing expedition.

As it turns out, there are a number of Coyote/10-speed Mustangs in the States running well into the eights in such a configuration. I even came across one with a stock engine from inlet to sump – not even the upgraded oil pump gears considered mandatory by most – which dipped into the sevens with a built transmission.

What makes such a car particularly appealing right now is that the IHRA has recently further relaxed the technical requirements for modern cars under its Real Street regulations, as we reported in News Front last issue. Owing to their excellent occupant safety, if your street car was manufactured in 2013 or later, you can now run as quick as 9.0 and as fast as 165mph without a rollcage, provided factory safety systems, floorpan and firewall remain in place. Street-style radial tyres are required, delay boxes and transbrakes are prohibited, and you’ll need a parachute if you plan on going faster than 150mph.

Another advantage of such a car is the immense sleeper appeal. A low-mount turbo set-up like the Hellion kit is invisible in the engine bay, and if you plumb the intake charge through the factory airbox and powdercoat the intercooler black, it’s going to look entirely stock to all but the most astute observer.

You can get into a used, 10-speed V8 Mustang for around $45,000, and as a standard road car, they’re an awesome thing. But with a couple of snails, a fuel system, some diff and driveshaft upgrades, and drag-focused suspension, wheels and tyres, it should be entirely possible to run down to 9.0 in an otherwise standard street car on pump E85, without the added cost, complexity and compromise involved in installing a rollcage, race seat and harnesses.

Imagine fronting up to Street Machine Drag Challenge in our hypothetical twin-turbo Mustang! It’d cruise on the street like a stocker, and with a 10-speed transmission, leather seats, cruise and climate control, it’d almost feel like you were cheating on the road legs, and I doubt you’d need to lay a spanner on the damn thing all week. 

Fortunately for me, building imaginary cars in your head costs nothing!