This Turbocharged Mustang Changes the Mustang Game
Over three million Mustangs were built for the popular 1979 and 1993 Fox model platform, and they’ve proven to be a popular platform for everything from street to track and everything in between. With the sheer number of 1979-1993 Mustang models produced, finding a truly unique build for a Fox-Mustang can be difficult, but Raymond Huppee has pulled off a rare look with this 1982 Mustang.
The first thing that most notice is the unique look of the SVO model. Built from 1984 to 1986, the Mustang SVO featured a turbocharged inline 4-cylinder engine, different bodywork, lights, and a double rear spoiler. Raymond decided to add those unique touches to his 1982 model to create a SVO clone.
But Raymond decided to use double the cylinders and double the turbochargers the SVO originally did, employing the popular Coyote engine and adding a pair of Precision Turbo 67/66-millimeter turbos to the mix. A C6 3-speed transmission and an 8.8-inch rear end gets the ponies to the drag radials, and a Holley Dominator controls the EFI and surrounding functions.
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After participating in two years of Miles of Mayhem in Canada, Raymond and co-pilot Dillon Merkl of Merkl Motorsport put in the time prepping the car in the brutal Canada cold before traveling nearly 40 hours of travel time to be a part of 2023 Sick Week Presented by Gear Vendors Overdrive. Why the trip to Florida? “Other than the obvious destination, the promotion of the event and seeing my friends’ cars in the magazine and hearing about their stories and progress in the first year,” Raymond said gave him motivation to attend.
The Mustang would immediately get some attention for a couple big wheelies at Orlando ‘Sick World Dragway on the test day before day one. But problems would arise on day one, forcing Raymond to turn in a 20-second timeslip to start his week of competition in the 275 Street Race class.
Things got a little better on day two at Bradenton Motorsports Park, as Raymond was able to coax a 9.90 at just 97 mph from the Mustang, but there was plenty left on the table. South Georgia Motorsports Park allowed Raymond to show a little more speed with a 145 mph blast on a 10.42 elapsed time, getting Raymond and Dillon past the halfway point.
Day four at Gainesville Raceway would be Raymond’s best showing, wheeling ‘SteVO the SVO’ to an 8.80 at 159 mph and allowing the Canadian a chance to return to Orlando to complete the week. A 9.43 at 150 mph sealed the deal, getting Raymond through the week.
“First and foremost, we needed to finish,” Raymond said of his goals for Sick Week. “Second, to hang out and enjoy the comradery with friends I have met through previous drag-and-drives, and make new friends. Third, being able to check off new states that I have not been to before, and give me a reason to get out of the great white north during the cold winter months.”
Written by Derek Putnam. Photos courtesy of Sick the Magazine and Motion Raceworks.