2005 Vortech Mustang GT

Carroll Shelby's force-fed 1966 GT 350 was the first Mustang in history to have a supercharger. Shelby claimed the GT would run 0-to-60 mph in five seconds flat, its Paxton centrifugal blower reportedly delivering a 46-percent power increase over Shelby's carbureted HO 289 V-8, raising output from 306 horsepower to about 440. But in our August 1966 issue, the supercharged GT 350 mustered only a 6.0-second 0-to-60-mph sprint.

Hit the fast-forward button to 2005, and ponycar fans are rejoicing over the all-new Mustang GT. Just like the 1966 GT 350, the 2005 Mustang's fastback roof incorporates a pair of rear side windows (the windows were a one-year-only option on the Shelby), but there's no supercharger option under the hood--yet. Well, you don't have to wait for Ford's in-house tuner SVT: Paxton, and it's sister company Vortech Engineering, have complete supercharger kits to make your new Mustang GT remarkably similar in spirit to that of Shelby's GT 350 and promises power increases of up to 50 percent (when intercooled) over the regular 2005 V-8.

The setup tested here incorporates Vortech's V-2 SQ S-trim centrifugal supercharger and is good for 410 horses. The "SQ" blower is a much quieter version of the company's racing version, but looks nearly identical.

With 9psi boost on tap, the Vortech Mustang proves difficult to launch on normal tarmac, as 2600 rpm produces a soft takeoff and 2800 offers a boost-filled gallop that turns the rear tires to molten goo. Regardless, the $3890 Vortech hustles the Mustang to repeatable 13-second-flat quarter-mile runs--better traction would easily run the car at 12.7s--and nails 60 mph in just 4.6 seconds. Want more? Soon to be released is an air-to-water intercooler system that Vortech claims will add another 40 horsepower.