We had a 2018 Mustang GT named Project Goldmember that was a blast to race and drive. It cruised to work with no issues and clicked off mid-8-second quarter mile passes. Jared went 8.64 @ 157mph — and it was the first Lethal Performance car that Jared got behind the wheel of at the strip himself. No more hired guns.
We used all of our product testing, dyno runs, and track times from Project Goldmember to put together this quick start guide to building your own 8-second Mustang GT. Let's go.
Fuel System
A high-performance fuel system is the foundation. At ~1000rwhp you need hardware that can keep up — not just bigger injectors, but a complete return-style system that can deliver the volume and pressure your engine demands under full load.
For an 8-second build, you need something like the Lethal Performance / DivisionX Triple Pump Return Style Fuel System. Three high-flow Walbro pumps, plug-and-play wiring, complete with fuel rails. Plug in and go.
Not sure which fuel system is right for your setup? Use our Fuel System Guide to match your power level to the right hardware.
You'll also need upgraded injectors — especially on E85, which demands ~30% more fuel flow. We ran Injector Dynamics ID1300cc injectors in Project Goldmember. Need to go bigger? ID2000s, FIC 1440cc, or 1650cc FIC injectors are all proven at this power level.
LP / DivisionX Triple Pump Fuel System
Three Walbro pumps, return-style, plug-and-play wiring, complete rails. Built for 1000rwhp+.
Shop Fuel SystemsInjector Dynamics ID1300cc
What we ran in Project Goldmember. Best-in-class short-pulse control. E85 compatible.
Shop ID1300FIC 1650cc Injectors
Matched within 1%. Best option for maximum headroom on an 8-second E85 build.
Shop FIC 1650Custom Tuning
Most supercharger kits ship with a manufacturer tune and honestly, for a stock setup they're solid — we made over 800rwhp in our 2024 Mustang GT on a stock Whipple tune. But once you add headers, a fuel system, and start pushing boost beyond stock levels, a custom tune is mandatory. Not optional.
There's no "best tuner" — just great ones and bad ones. We offer the best via The Tune Shop: Ken Bjonnes at Palm Beach Dyno, Lund Jr. at Lund Racing, and Shoemaker Performance. Each one will have your build running clean, safe, and at full potential.
Visit The Tune ShopSupercharger
The supercharger is the heart of the build. Without it you're chasing 8s with bolt-ons and prayers. With the right kit and a good tune, the Coyote is a genuinely nasty engine.
We ran a Gen 5 3.0L Whipple Supercharger in Project Goldmember and went mid-8s without even maxing it out — and that was using a pre-production setup. Whipple stays at the front of supercharger technology, and their innovations filter down to previous model years so you're always getting the best bang regardless of what year Mustang you're building.
Click here for a quick overview of our best-selling supercharger brands.
Whipple Superchargers
What we ran. Gen 5 3.0L went mid-8s without maxing the blower. The benchmark for Coyote forced induction.
Shop WhippleVMP Performance
TVS-based kits with proven big power numbers. Popular for track builds that need reliability and ceiling room.
Shop VMPAll Supercharger Kits
Browse the full selection by vehicle. Filter by brand, displacement, and power target.
Shop AllExhaust
Exhaust flow is especially critical on a supercharged build. The blower is pushing air in hard — you need the exhaust side to flow just as freely. Longtubes first, then a cat back or axle back behind them.
We ran Kooks longtube headers on Project Goldmember — USA-made, high-quality stainless, zero fitment issues. We've also run American Racing Headers and Stainless Works in previous builds with the same result. We now offer our own LP x Kooks 1 7/8" longtubes with competition connection pipes for 2015-up Mustang GT.
Behind the longtubes, grab a cat back or axle back to open up the exhaust further and get the sound right. We ran a Kooks axle back on our 2018 GT. Corsa Performance and AWE Tuning are also proven options.
LP x Kooks 1 7/8" Longtubes
Our own headers, made by Kooks. 1 7/8" primary with competition connection pipes. 2015–2024 Mustang GT.
Shop LP x KooksAll Longtube Headers
Full selection from Kooks, American Racing, Stainless Works, and more — all proven on track builds.
Shop HeadersCat Back & Axle Back Exhaust
AWE Tuning, Corsa, Kooks — pick your sound level. All will flow on an 8-second build.
Shop ExhaustTransmission
At 1000rwhp, the transmission is getting hit hard — especially at launch. Whether you're rowing gears or letting the 10r80 do the work, it needs to be built for it.
MT-82 Manual
The stock clutch won't survive an 8-second pass. For ~1000rwhp, go twin disc. Check out the McLeod RXT and RXTHD ceramic compound setups, or the LPXHD — our exclusive Kevlar-disc twin disc built by McLeod. Need a full transmission rebuild? Calimer Transmissions fully built MT82s are available here.
10r80 Automatic
The 10r80 can be fickle but we raced ours many times with great results. The first two upgrades: a McLeod Friction Plate & Steel kit and a Circle D torque converter. Both strengthen the trans AND improve launch consistency. For a fully upgraded unit, RSA Race Solutions builds some of the fastest 10r80 vehicles out there.
LPXHD Twin Disc Clutch
Lethal Performance exclusive. Kevlar discs, made by McLeod. Built for the abuse of 1000rwhp launches.
Shop LPXHDMcLeod 10r80 Friction & Steel Kit
Immediate upgrade for any 10r80 build. Strengthens clutch packs and improves launch feel.
Shop McLeod KitCircle D 10r80 Torque Converter
Forced induction version. Better stall, better launches, better consistency at the track.
Shop Circle DDriveline
We snapped a stock half shaft the very first time we took our 2018 GT to the strip — when it was bone stock. Lesson learned. Upgrade the driveline before you ever make a pass.
Halfshafts / Axles — Driveshaft Shop and G-Force are the top manufacturers. Both offer options rated up to 2000hp for the S550 and S650.
Driveshaft — Replace the stock rubber-mounted 2-piece with a 1-piece aluminum or carbon fiber. Sheds weight, gains power-holding ability, and improves drivetrain response. We offer Driveshaft Shop and QA1 options for both auto and manual.
Driveshaft Shop Halfshafts
Top manufacturer for S550/S650 axles. Options rated to 2000hp. DSS is the standard for high-power Mustang builds.
Shop Axles1-Piece Driveshaft
Aluminum or carbon fiber. Drops rotational weight, improves response, handles the power reliably.
Shop DriveshaftsSuspension
Power means nothing if you can't put it down. An IRS car like the S550/S650 has specific issues at the launch that need to be addressed — ignore them and you'll leave time and consistency on the table.
The two IRS issues we found on our 2018 GT:
The entire cradle assembly will rock under launch. The factory bushing has a small limiter lip — at the track, ours was hitting the chassis and leaving a witness mark. Second: the diff moves within the cradle under load. We could visually see the passenger-side alignment nub sticking way out while the driver's side barely moved — the diff had shifted diagonally and compromised the clamping force on the bolt.
Our go-to fix — and what we ran on the 8-second GT — is the LP / BMR Bread & Butter Suspension kit. We went a 1.27 60' with that setup. We've since released the updated Bread & Butter II — both will get you the 60' you're after.
Want the full breakdown? Learn about all the BMR components and why you need them · Bread & Butter II package details
LP / BMR Bread & Butter Kit
What we ran on the 8-second GT. Addresses every IRS launch issue. We went a 1.27 60' with this setup.
Shop B&B KitLP / BMR Bread & Butter II
The updated package. Same proven concept, refined components. 2015–2024 Mustang GT.
Shop B&B IIAll BMR Suspension
Browse the full BMR lineup for your S550 or S650 — cradle braces, diff bushings, control arms, and more.
Shop BMRWheels & Tires
Chasing 8s means running a drag pack — skinny fronts, wide rears wrapped in drag radials or slicks. The unsprung weight reduction from a good set of drag wheels is real: every 1lb of unsprung weight removed is roughly equivalent to removing 4lbs of sprung weight.
Wheels — Drag wheels come in smaller diameters and larger widths, and usually offer significant weight reduction. We offer LP LPS5 drag wheels, Forgestar, and Weld Racing. Note: 17" and smaller wheels may not clear Brembo or big brake kits — check fitment before ordering.
Tires — Most builds do best on a drag radial rear. The Mickey Thompson ET Street R is the most popular for good reason — massive grip at launch. They won't perform well in rain and won't last as long as a street tire, but at the strip they're a different class. Click here to compare all our drag tire options.
LP LPS5 Drag Wheels
Our own drag wheel. Lightweight, purpose-built, tested on our cars before we sell them.
Shop LPS5Mickey Thompson ET Street R
The standard drag radial. Street-legal, massive launch grip, the tire most 8-second builds run.
Shop Drag TiresAll Drag Wheels
Forgestar, Weld Racing, and more. Full selection filtered to your Mustang year and build.
Shop WheelsBrakes
You're going 157mph in a quarter mile. The brakes aren't an afterthought. Upgrading to a purpose-built drag brake kit improves stopping power, reduces brake fade under repeated hard stops, and — bonus — saves unsprung weight.
We ran Baer SS4+ 2.0 Drag Race kits on both front and rear on Project Goldmember. They look great (multiple color options), they save up to 86lbs of unsprung weight on Performance Pack cars, and they actually stop the car. Full details on the Baer SS4+ 2.0 here.
Baer SS4+ 2.0 Front Brake Kit
Drag-specific front kit. Multiple caliper colors. Massive weight reduction vs. stock Brembo setup.
Shop Front KitBaer SS4+ 2.0 Rear Brake Kit
Rear drag kit. Pairs with the front for a complete system. Up to 86lbs lighter than stock on PP cars.
Shop Rear KitAll Brake Upgrades
Street and track brake options. Filter by your Mustang year and whether you have the Performance Pack.
Shop BrakesReady to Start? We've Done This Before.
Project Goldmember went 8.64 @ 157mph on these exact parts. If you have questions about your build, call us — we've built these cars and we know what works.
