For more than a year now, we've been grinding about how a diesel engine in a muscle car could create a vehicle that would be blindingly fast, yet achieve some very good fuel economy numbers. Well, someone finally did it. While there have been diesel engine swaps before, none have been as fast, mean, or powerful as Mike Wood's '94 6.6L Duramax-powered Mustang. Mike has taken diesels to a whole new level, and he's honestly not even a diesel guy. "I wanted something different," Mike said. "I had a Chevy (LS1 gas-powered) Mustang before this one, and I knew the potential of the diesel engine after seeing a 6,500-pound truck run low 10s. Plus, Mustangs have some of the biggest engine bays ever produced, so the potential to swap in any engine was there."
Speaking of Mustangs, Mike put a tremendous amount of time into the chassis to make sure it was up to the task of being pummeled with 1,500 lb-ft of diesel torque. The car was mini-tubbed, and the chassis was strengthened and fitted with a funny-car cage by Wolfe Racecraft in Fort Worth, Texas. In addition to the chassis work, the Mustang was fitted with a Ford 9-inch rearend with 3.25 gears along with Strange coilover shocks. A Wolfe Racecraft sway bar helps keep the tires firmly planted on the way to 140mph quarter-mile passes. Up front, an AJE tubular crossmember was used, along with AJE drag struts. The K-member and struts free up the engine compartment even more, to make room for the Duramax diesel engine.
And what an engine it is. Mike relied on Diesel Performance Research out of Sheboygan, Wisconsin, to supply him with one mean Duramax engine. The engine was fitted with a modified CP3 pump from Industrial Injection, along with 30% larger injectors, while the pistons, rods, cam, and standalone engine management system were all from Diesel Performance Research. To supply air to the fully built 6.6L diesel, Mike relied on a Phat Shaft 71 turbo built by Industrial Injection. The turbo also has a 55mm Engineering Diesel wastegate to relieve drive pressure, and to make sure the turbo maintains a steady 45 psi of boost. To keep exhaust gas temperatures in check and add some additional power, Mike uses a Snow Performance water-methanol injection kit, since the Mustang has no intercooler.
 "Hey you're putting diesel...  "Hey you're putting diesel in that thing!" Mike hears that one a lot. "Don't worry, it's my race car," he says, leaving people even more confused. |  Wheels-up launches and 1.3-second...  Wheels-up launches and 1.3-second 60-foot times are the norm for Mike's Mustang. Not bad, considering there's 800 pounds of engine up front. |  To help keep the Duramax cool,...  To help keep the Duramax cool, a trick Meziere radiator was added, along with an in-tank water pump, eliminating the need for an engine-driven one. |
 It's a tight squeeze past...  It's a tight squeeze past the jungle-gym rollcage, but Mike has no problem getting comfortable once he is inside. Other than the noise level of the vehicle, it's actually quite comfortable to ride and drive in when going down the highway. |  A Glasstec fiberglass front...  A Glasstec fiberglass front clip is used to make the 6.6L Duramax engine easy to work on. Not that it takes much work, all the maintenance that has been required of the Duramax engine so far has been an oil change after 4,000 miles. |  Mucho airflow is provided...  Mucho airflow is provided by an Industrial Injection Phat Shaft 71 turbocharger. Although the turbo Mike chose is rather large, he has no problem with spooling thanks to a high-stall converter combined with a transbrake. |