While many enthusiasts will scoff at the idea of a four-cylinder Mustang in recollection of the dark days of the Mustang II, Ford is claiming higher numbers with the new 2.3L four-cylinder EcoBoost powerplant unveiled in the new 2015 Mustang than V8s found in the 2005-2009 GT. Woodbine Motorsports in Woodbine, MD are among the first to dyno the new car to get a baseline on its stock performance capabilities and see what power it is really capable of.

Woodbine Motorsports owner Joseph Jones (JJ) was impressed with the performance of the EcoBoost-equipped Mustang. “Our baseline run achieved 279 hp and 292 ft-lbs of torque which was about what we figured it would, maybe even a tad higher than expected considering we drove the car directly off the dealer lot onto the dyno.”

Some projects will be more ambitious than others but it is only a matter of time before the aftermarket opens up this engine to surpass previous SVT figures. Woodbine Motorsports is currently taking measurements for the design of an off-road exhaust system and working with SCT to develop a tuning program which Jones is optimistic about, “There’s no reason why we shouldn’t be able to add an extra 100hp and lb.-ft. of torque with simple intake and exhaust bolt-on parts and a tune.”

When asked how traditional enthusiasts will respond to a four-cylinder powerplant in the beloved pony car Jones responded by saying, “You certainly don’t get the loud rumble of a V8, this thing is as quiet as a sewing machine,” before adding, “If you can get over that then I think that this engine serves a good niche.”

Jones has also seen interest from a new audience who may not have previously considered a Mustang in the past. “We’ve seen strong interest in this car from all communities. Along with better fuel mileage and lower insurance premiums than a GT, there is also an element of underdog pride with beating a GT with a four-cylinder.”

Woodbine Motorsports plans on using this project to show what a bolt-on car can do since that is what most owners will be doing with their cars. Follow their progress at the Woodbine Motorsports web-site.