IHRA GT stock - researching a possible combination

[Bill Harris]

Robert, you would probably be a lot better off doing a SS/GT version of that Mustang/302 than a Stock/GT. For one thing, you could run both NHRA and IHRA since Stock/GT is IHRA only. Most importantly, you would have a much better chance of building a competitive piece in SS given the nature of the Windsor SBF. SS would overcome the lousy intake and tiny cam, and you can make major improvements to the flow on the head, which is the real limitation on this engine.
Actually, the '68 Cougar 302/230 with the stock iron head is NHRA rated at 220 HP for SS. But it also has two aftermarket heads approved for SS, an AFR and a Canfield, with a 230 HP NHRA rating. You could run GT/KA, GT/LA or GT/MA with any approved head. You could also run GT/JA with the aftermarket head.
I'm pretty sure that Nick Morris is running this engine in his '98 model Mustang in GT/LA with the iron heads. The index for GT/LA is 11.85 and you would need to make about 500 HP to run a second under. I'm pretty sure Kuntz and Co. could make that happen. You could probably run a 9" stocker tire and not have to tub the car at those power levels. A 10.5" tire might fit in there too without hacking it up.
It would be nice to see more late model Mustangs in the lanes. Come on out and play!!