Supporting the big-block's heft is a complete UPR Pro series suspension. Hung off of a tubular K-member are lower control arms with QA1 coilover struts and 175-pound springs. Out back, the trunk sits on stock '86 coils and UPR's adjustable lower control arms, while QA1 shocks and adjustable upper arms work with UPR's antiroll bar.
Transferring the tremendous power output to the pavement is an Alan Pope Performance Products (Hilliard, Florida) Powerglide transmission and torque converter. The 4,200 stall speed may sound a bit tight for such a fast machine, but the big-block nitrous-enhanced torque flashes it a bit higher when they put the screws to it. The rearend is a Ford 9-inch unit with Moser 35-spline axles and a spool. Currently, the 3.25:1 ring-and-pinion ratio is too steep, and Tony is searching for a 3.0-something gear to bring down the top-end rpm range.
Connecting the coupe to the ground are Weld Draglite wheels wrapped in Mickey Thompson rubber. With the 514 aboard, Tony had great success running Goodyear's new drag radials, but the 605 requires something a bit gummier, so the M/T drag radials got the nod. Careful adjustments (i.e., hammer time) to the inner and outer fenderwells allow the use of 325/50/15 tires out back. The car is set up to use wheelie bars, but the chassis has worked well without them for the most part.
Dugan Racing engine-apron covers help smooth out the slick engine compartment, but it's doubtful anyone will notice them with 605 cubes of Ford firepower sitting between the shock towers. While it took some time to sort the bugs out of the car, it's definitely coming around, and the initial signs are promising.
Inside, the stock '85 interior largely remains, though a 25.5-certified rollcage has been welded in by Amil Rayot of Pompano Beach, Florida. A Dedenbear shift solenoid makes the sole gear change happen in an instant, and at the big end, Tony hits the Stroud chute launcher to bring the beast down from speed. On motor alone, the coupe has charged to a 9.10 at more than 150 mph. The big fun happens when the nitrous comes on. Though they've been sneaking up on the tune-up, a 350hp shot has propelled The Punisher to an 8.35 at 167 mph, with a 1.41 60-foot time. Working on the nitrous delivery through the Edelbrock controller is the present challenge, though finding time to get to the track is probably the bigger obstacle.
When we asked Kenny what was next for the car, it wasn't a performance part that came up first. "I'd like to get Kenny Jr. behind the wheel of our 306ci, supercharged coupe, and then move him up into The Punisher," he says. "My daughter Alex probably loves racing more than anyone else in the family. I'd like to have both of them driving the blower car next year. I've already upgraded the six-point rollbar with a 12-point cage. Heck, I may even put bars on the roof. Certainly they need to get their feet wet in the slower car, which has already gone 10.43."
Fat Mickey Thompson 325/50/15 drag radials get the job done. Mounted on 15x10 Weld Draglites with 6 1/2 inches of backspacing, they're a tight fit. Aerospace brakes supplied the binders, and the sheetmetal wing is off the Skinny Kid Racing shelf.
By the time they've aced that, we imagine Tony will have The Punisher fully sorted out and ready to take down those Chevys when they come calling.
"I've always liked flames and skulls," Kenny says, "so I came up with the graphics to add to the color." After laying on the vibrant DuPont basecoat, Holman laid down the charcoal ghost flames and airbrush work that include numerous skulls patterned after the symbol from the main character of the comic book The Punisher. Despite the HP Performance staff dubbing the newly orange-painted Pony "O.J.," Kenny and his family are sticking with "The Punisher"-something they hope to do to the local Chevy contingent.
The HP Performance crew is certainly entitled to its opinion, as it built the car from the ground up. From its early 514 powerplant to the new 605-inch bullet, Tony and his band of merry mechanics turned all of the wrenches on the car, including the suspension.