Ben Paganoni Bringing Unique Barra-Powered 8-Second Mustang Fox-Body to Sick Week
Traditionally, some drag-and-drive events will not only attract racers from the continental United States, but also from aboard. Some standouts include Mikael Borggren’s 6-second ’87 Volvo station wagon, Mangus Frost and the “pocket rocket” ’74 Opel Ascona, and the turbochargers out-of-the-hood Harry Haig ’68 Chevelle. But another unique ride will make its first drag-and-drive appearance since Hot Rod Drag Week of 2019, as Ben Paganoni is making the trip from Australia to compete with his 1986 Ford Mustang.
When the Mustang was acquired by Paganoni for Drag Week, it sported a Windsor-based small block Ford engine with a shot of nitrous. But Paganoni decided to go outside the box for power, converting the Fox-body to a Barra Australian Ford 4 liter six cylinder engine. He added a turbocharger for extra atmosphere, and backed it with a Turbo 400 transmission and the traditional Ford 8.8-inch rear with a 3.00 gear.
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Completed in just eight days, the Barra motor spun a bearing before the tech-in day. The thrash was on, and Paganoni was able to create one good motor out of two broken ones. The final touches were done in time to make tech the next day, and the Barra-swap completed Drag Week with only minor headaches, and rang up an 8.64 at 160 mph on its best pass. The final average was an 8.83, good enough for not only seventh in the Super Street Small Block Power Adder class, but also the quickest 6 cylinder title.
Paganoni will call on long-time friend Scott Cameron to join him on his second drag-and-drive, and his goals are to finish his first Sick Week while creating new friendships in the community.
Written by Derek Putnam. Photos courtesy of Sick The Magazine