It's not often that we get to cover seriously high powered Ford motors. We're not talking about 500 or even 600 ponies, no, we are talking about the four-digit range. So when our friend Kim Danielson, an prominent horsepower junkie in Arizona, presented us with the opportunity to cover the buildup of his A460-based 524 cubic inch beast, we were all over it.

Before we proceed, we should explain the point of this article. Obviously this isn't an engine that you'd put into a street car. When this beast is completed it will go into a race dedicated 1983 Mustang, which has been tubbed and fitted with a 14 pt. roll cage, and of course NHRA certified. This will be a car that runs in the 7.900 bracket, yes that's in the quarter mile. With that said, this article is not meant to be a step-by-step "how to". If you are even remotely close to considering building a beast like this, then you hopefully are not looking at articles on how to do it. Guys that build these engines have gradually progressed to this level, and along the way have made the right contacts who are capable of carrying out the project. For the most of us, this article is just something to look at in awe, and for the few that may someday build something of this caliber, hopefully the article serves up some ideas on how one man built the beast.

Oh yeah, one more thing...If you want something like this, you will need money and time. Lot's of it. Estimated cost to build was $25,000, and it took over two years to plan, purchase, and assemble.

Kim's '83 Mustang has come a long way from its original 175HP 302. •The chassis will be certified to run as fast as 7.90's. •Car is back halved and tube framed •Full 12 point in the car now, going to a 14+ point cage. •14x31x15 Hoosier slicks provide the grip. More on the car in a future article.

First, a little background on Kim Danielson. Kim's been messing with race cars since elementary school. Under his fathers tutelage they modded up Chevys, then progressed to Oldsmobiles. After spending six years on overseas duty for the Air Force (he's still active duty, going on 21 years), he came back and picked up a clean, affordable, and reliable 1983 Mustang as a daily driver.

After beating on the stock 175HP 302 for a few years, Kim decided to get back into the local racing scene and began some typical upgrades. A stronger bottom end, heads, cam, intake and a 250 shot of nitrous took the 302 to high 10's. The 302 was all good until a piston gave up. Faced with a rebuild, Kim became inspired by an article detailing a 460 install in a fox body Mustang. After obtaining the swap parts a new Ford Racing 460 crate motor was dropped into the lightweight Mustang. A dedicated race car was born.

The crate 460 was impressive, moving the '83 to a best et of 10.34, naturally aspirated. Unfortunately it too bit the dust when the oil pump cavitated resulting in scorched rod bearings.

Once again Kim faced the dilemma of rebuild or replace. Wanting to stick with the 460 foundation, but desiring strength and of course, more power, he decided to bite the bullet and build what term "the beast". As he discussed his plans with local experts and racers, he realized that the stock 460 bottom end would be a limitation if he wanted to put on the squeeze and venture into the four digit horsepower zone. The decision was soon made to order up Ford Racings A460 block.