The Devin in the Details – a 6-Second Class Winning Drag-and-Drive Car Gets Revamped for Quicker Times at Sick Week 2025!
Several models of car have proven over time to be popular in not only racing, but hopped-up street machines as well. It’s no surprise that one of them is the Fox Mustang, built from 1979 to 1993.
Although most go for the Coupe / Notch or hatchback model, Devin Vanderhoof went for a rare Feature Edition convertible. And although some are happy with the triple white option exterior / interior / convertible top, Devin decided to forge a deeper connection.
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This ’93 convertible kicked up plenty of attention in 2023, setting the small tire world on fire by lowering the Rowdy Radial average to a 4.64, with a best single pass of 4.595 at 167 mph on the tiny 26-inch-tall x 8.5-inch-wide radials accomplished by driver Jordan Tuck.
That win would be the first of three on the year for Devin as a car owner, as Josh Davis did a stint behind the wheel for Devin to score a Sick Summer victory and a Hot Rod Drag Week class win as well.
For 2024, Devin decided the Mustang known as ‘Big Ern’ needed some changes, with the biggest being a switch from a single 118-millimeter turbocharger to a pair of 88-millimeter turbos from HPT to feed more air to the big block Chevrolet.
The Mustang eventually delivered a 4.10 at 186 mph eighth-mile pass on its way to victory at Street Car Braggin Rights in May 2024, but Devin could see the writing on the wall.
“I was pulling out timing to keep the car hooked up and not rattle (shake) the tires,” said Devin. “We were just starting to scratch the surface of what the new set-up with twin turbos could do.” So, Devin knowing there were gains to be made, devised a plan.
“The initial plan was to switch the car from a stock-style suspension to an aftermarket (parallel) 4-link suspension,” Devin said. So, the plan was to strip everything off the car, and get it media blasted. “The car had been painted so many times, I wanted a clean slate.”
After weighing the additional power the car was making against the Mustang’s current chassis, Devin knew another change would be a smart move. “The car really needed to be double frame railed, especially for safety and the amount of power,” said Devin.
So, the list grew with another request, plus Santhuff struts and shocks, a new rear end, and a wider RC Comp wheel to carry the 275 or 315 tires, all added to the wish list.
Once the chassis upgrades with double frame rails, as well as an upgrade on the roll cage to a 25.1 / 25.2 SFI-certification, the car got a lot of fresh paint, powdercoating and details over a near six-month period. The 540 cubic inch big block engine also got refreshed, but everything else got put back in place.
After putting the car on a diet and removing anything that didn’t need to remain onboard, the final count was a ‘Big Ern’ that is 260 pounds lights than before.
After two weeks away from work and doing a honeymoon and Street-N-Yeet, Devin and a small group of friends had to get the car back together in a matter of days, as Holley wanted it in their booth at the Performance and Racing Industry (PRI) show in Indianapolis, Indiana.
“For five years, Holley has been wanting my car in their booth for PRI,” said Devin. “This year, with the changes and upgrades, everything worked out.” The Mustang got a lot of attention, and after the show had concluded, Devin is already making plans on where he can test to be prepared for the 2025 edition of Sick Week Presented by Gear Vendors Overdrive.
The car may see either Modified or Unlimited Iron, but that’s still up in the air. “Our goal is to survive Sick Week,” Devin said. “Are we going to try and win our class? Absolutely. But the first goals are to survive and have a good time.”
“I’m not the guy to sit here and say ‘we’re going to go fives.’ But as long as everything goes right and it runs 3.80s in the eighth-mile, then I think we have a good chance of clicking off a pass. The increments from the SCBR event should have put the car into the 6.20 range. With the weight savings and the ability to get after the tune up on the front half of the track, the numbers should work out.”
You can visit Devin’s YouTube channel HERE to watch the build of the Mustang in the five-part video series; check out the latest video below:
Written by Derek Putnam. Photos courtesy of Sick the Magazine, Sean Chartier Media, and Devin Vanderhoof.
If you have thoughts / feedback / ideas, please e-mail us at derek@sickthemagazine.com