What started as a tired, run-down 2001 Ford Mustang V6 has become one of the most versatile and feared street/strip machines in the country. Nearly a decade ago, the Diehl Brothers picked up the rust-free shell, never imagining the journey it would take them on.

 

The Early Days

 

The Mustang’s first reincarnation was powered by a stock 6.0L LS pulled from a Suburban, paired with a 76mm Bullseye Power turbocharger and a 4L80E transmission. After a couple of years and some small upgrades, the car stepped up to a semi-built 408ci engine with an 8.50-cert roll cage. That setup quickly outran expectations—and proved it was time to build the car they had always dreamed of.

 

The 25.2 Build

 

In 2022, the team rebuilt the Mustang into a full 25.2-certified chassis with countless upgrades. Today, it packs a 400ci Dart block with Hooper heads, CID LS3 heads, custom Steve Morris Engines pistons, a Winberg crankshaft, and GRP rods. Staying true to their Michigan roots, the Diehl Brothers chose a Bullseye Power 110mm turbo to force every bit of air possible into the combination.

 

Backing it all up is a close-ratio TH400 built by Jon Capizzi, while suspension duties are handled by Merillat Racing torque boxes and one of his 9-inch housings—all in the stock location. The result? A car that’s equally at home on drag-and-drive events, no-prep, and front- or back-side racing. Truly, the Mustang has earned the nickname: the Swiss Army knife of drag cars.

 

Proven on Every Stage

 

The car has racked up wins and podium finishes across the country:

  

2nd Place – Street Outlaws Local Only

1st Place – SCT 2024

2nd Place – Sick Summer 2024

1st Place – HSM Drag Race Series Small Tire 2024

1st Place – Drag Week Super Street 2024

2nd Place – Roadkill 2024

1st Place – Central Illinois Street Car 2025

1st Place – HSM Small Tire 2025

1st Place – Prep After Dark Street Car Shootout

1st Place – Drop the Hammer Small Tire 2025

1st Place – Sick Summer 2025

 

During Sick Summer 2025, the Diehl Brothers not only won—but set four world records in Super Street:

First 6-second pass in class history

First 6-second average

First Top-3 finish on a small tire

First team to run a 6 in Super Street

 

 

Dependability & Data

 

Despite making an average of 250 passes a year and racking up over 5,000 street miles, the Mustang only sees a freshen-up on the engine and transmission once a season. The 2,500+ horsepower combo has proven both durable and repeatable.

Best performances so far include:

4.3X @ the 1/8 mile (at over 3,000 lbs)

6.85 in the 1/4 mile (shutting off at the 1/8)

 

The team believes there’s plenty left in the car and already has plans to reset their own Super Street records deeper during Drag Week 2025.

 

The Road Ahead

 

From a beat-down V6 to a world-record-holding drag-and-drive machine, the Diehl Brothers Racing Mustang embodies persistence, innovation, and hometown pride. It’s not just a race car—it’s a story of evolution, resilience, and a relentless drive to chase the next goal.