Sometimes less is more...
Article & Photography By:  Jason Reiss
June 2002

In the sport of drag racing, parts breakage is considered normal.  We've all heard how the stock 302 block cannot handle any power, and tends to crack.  However, we've also heard of some freak engines, that hold together no matter what's done to them.  Chad Stokes' 1988 GT has one such engine.  Chad is a firm believer in only replacing things as they break, and so far, his engine has held up just fine.  When you read the parts list, then see the power this thing has made on the dyno, you'll be more than a little surprised!

31 year old Chad, hailing from Hopkinsville, Kentucky, is the main component of Ghetto Stang Racing.  His GT has the following parts:

• Stock 302 block bored .030

• Stock Crank and rods

• Speed Pro *Hypereutectic* Pistons

• ARP fasteners throughout

• Total Engine Airflow ported Twisted Wedge Heads (Stage 2)

• F-303 Camshaft

• GT-40 Lower/Downs Box Upper Intakes

• 55 Lb./hr. Siemens Injectors

• Meziere Electric WP

• MSD Ignition

• Tremec 3550 transmission/Steeda Tri-Ax shifter/Centerforce Dual Friction Clutch

• Built 8.8 rear including spool/c-clip eliminators/3.73 gears

• AJE Y2K-member kit

And the big-daddy addition to the power cycle is a Vortech YS-Trim Supercharger with a Mondo Bypass Valve and cog drive belt system.  This thing is pushing a REAL 25 pounds of boost!  The Vortech pushed Chad's GT to the highest HP level out of any car attending our recent Dyno Day at Total Engine Airflow in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

Here's an excerpt from an interview I had with Chad:

HC50:  Personal Info:  Name, location, age, make, model, year of car, etc.

Chad Stokes, Hopkinsville, KY  31years old  1988 Mustang GT
 

HC50:  How long have you been drag racing?  How did you get your start?

About 4 years.  When I was released from prison in 1998, after serving 3 ½ years for crimes related to drug and alcohol abuse, I had to find a way to have fun and get that adrenaline rush again without using drugs and alcohol. (I have been clean and sober now for a total of 7 years) What better thing than drag racing? I started out with a 89 LX 5.0 that I built up to around 300 horses or so. I had it running mid 8’s in the 1/8^th mile. I then ran across my current car. It was for sale at a very good price, and was quite a step up from my former car. I acquired a loan and purchased it in October of 2000. I now had a car that could be somewhat competitive at the local 1/8^th mile track, but more importantly, I had a car that would stomp the poop out of anything on the street here locally.
 

HC50:  What’s been the biggest challenge to your racing program?

Well, mainly money. My car is not yet NHRA certified to run in the NMRA. I still have some safety gear to buy.  In the meantime I have been running the local 1/8^th mile bracket classes, for some experience and mainly fun, and make it to Beech Bend to run the ¼ mile every once in a while.

HC50:  What would you consider you biggest accomplishment as a racer?

Taking out the local hot guy in the street class at our 1/8^th mile track a few weeks ago. He beat me I don’t know how many times in the past, and I finally got him, and won a whooping 25 bucks. My first purse!!!    

HC50: What’s gotten you hooked on the Mustang drag racing scene?

I have owned several Mustangs since I was 16 years old. A friend of mine had a 85 GT, that I just used to love driving. That was my first introduction to Mustangs, and I’ve been hooked ever since. Up until 1998, well while I was at home and not on a State Paid Vacation, I did the street racing scene. When I came home in 1998 the street racing scene was dead here due to the local cops cracking down real hard, so I had to find another avenue, which was the track.

HC50:  What are your plans for the future?

Currently my plans are to build a 408 for my car to step it up to the next level. I’m looking to get the car somewhere up to the 800 rwhp range, and still be street legal and drivable anywhere. I drove the car to WFC 5 this year, and got a respectable 16.5 miles per gallon. I also plan on getting all my safety equipment in so I can run in the NMRA, more than likely in Open Comp.
 

HC50:  What changes, if any, do you feel the sanctioning bodies need to make in order for our sport to prosper?

The biggest change I think needs to be made is more exposure for the NMRA, FFW, and WFC. The only good source of coverage right now is mainly through the magazines, and if you aren’t already into Mustangs, more than likely you aren’t going to buy one of these. The focus I think needs to be on TV coverage. Right now the only thing you see is the NMRA events on ESPN 2, and they flat out suck. The NMRA, FFW, and WFC need to get together and pool their resources to get a dedicated program on TV for their events, not just some suck ass 30 minute show that shows only about 3 minutes of actual racing. They need to take note of the import guys and the coverage they get on Speedvision. Just look at how the import scene has boomed in the last few years, and a good part of that boom is due to exposure on TV and films. Without more exposure to these kids getting into cars nowadays, the Mustang Drag Racing as we know it today, may not exist 15 years from now, and that would be truly sad.

Chad, we thank you for your time, and the chance to interview you!  Best of luck this season from the gang at Hardcore!

Postmortem

While we were putting this article together, Chad's stock shortblock finally gave up the ghost while testing.  As you can see from the pictures, this motor all but vaporized some parts.  If you look closely you can see a missing valve, and a rather big chunk of the block gone.  The good news is, Chad is already making plans to replace the shortblock with 408 Windsor muscle.  Can't wait to see the car back together, bigger and better, Chad!

Copyright © 2001-2008, The Hardcore Mustang Drag Racers Forum
All rights reserved.
Reproduction without permission is strictly prohibited.