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Dennis Healy S550 Mustang Racing

Dennis Healy | boardkat.racing's 2015 Mustang GT Build


Dennis Healy, otherwise known as boardkat.racing, has one heck of an S550 Mustang GT build. Here at Steeda, we're happy to support many racers out there, but Dennis stands out from the rest with his history of podium wins with the SCCA in both autocross and road course racing.

With a host of modifications to this car to take the abuse of track driving, check out the list below along with a little about Denis and all his accomplishments behind the wheel. A big thanks to Dennis for supporting #TeamSteeda! We're happy to have him onboard!





About Dennis Q&A


How did you get into racing?

A college buddy that I was living with back in 2007 picked up a 350Z and started taking it to local autocross events. He seemed to be having a lot of fun, so I thought, why not, let's take my Nissan Sentra out and give it a try. Even though I'd only just learned to drive a manual (I definitely didn't grow up a "car guy", barely knew how to change my own oil), I was hopelessly hooked after only one event, and it's been a whirlwind journey ever since as I've gone deeper down the rabbit hole!

What cars have you owned and/or raced?

  • 2003 Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V
  • 1998 Acura Integra Type R
  • 2007 Pontiac Solstice GXP
  • 2009 Pontiac Solstice GXP Coupe
  • 1985 VW Golf
  • 1982 Reynard Formula Ford
  • 2005 Lotus Elise
  • 2013 Ford Mustang GT
  • 2015 Ford Mustang GT
  • 2017 VW GTI

What's the story behind your Mustang?

The story with this car begins the day I was rear-ended on my way home from work in another Mustang (’13 GT), which insurance ended up totaling out. The new S550 platform was just being released for 2015, and I was intrigued both by the reasonable price for a stripped down performance package model, as well as the move to a well-designed IRS (finally!) and the ample space in the back to put a baby seat for transporting my newborn son - so I factory ordered one.

I started modifying it the day I drove it home from the dealership on New Year’s Day, 2015, with plans to compete nationally in ESP at SCCA autocross events, which allowed for various power and suspension mods, along with wide & sticky (R-Compound) tires. Won several National Tour and Pro Solo events leading up to the National Championships (held annually in Nebraska), where I placed 4th overall in a very hastily prepared car with limited seat and setup time. Followed it up in 2016 continuing to win many tours and pros, including the Pro Solo Finale and season championship, with an eye on winning a National Championship - until the oil pump gear decided to let go the morning of the event, and took the bottom end with it.

I promptly rented a Penske truck/trailer (this was still a daily driver, and I drove it everywhere), towed it to Michigan to have the engine built and decided to go even deeper on my build, preparing it for a new class called CAM (Classic American Muscle), which has a very open ruleset, limited by a 200TW tire requirement. This also marks the point in time where I started working closely with Steeda, given their extensive catalog of race-worthy suspension components that would be critical to setting up my car to compete at the top. Continued to win all over the country in 2017 and 2018, including the CAM Invitational, as well as back-to-back 2nd place finishes at the National Championship, before my engine cratered AGAIN (ring failure due to detonation) early in the 2019 season.

At this point, I took a step back - I’d been autocrossing competitively for over a decade, and had built a car that could do so much more than just carve corners through cones. I’d followed Optima for years, and with several autocross friends already knee-deep in it, I decided to join them. I had a low compression engine built for high boost, and went to work planning the next phase of the build over the offseason to add the necessary power, cooling, aero and safety items for attacking the road course. While my Optima debut @ LVMS exceeded my own expectations (2nd in GT/Top Rookie), and I was ecstatic to win @ PPIR, my seat and setup time has been limited due to critical failures and COVID-19; I'm only just starting to get comfortable pushing this beast of a car. Very excited to be competing in OUSCI and representing Team Steeda @ SEMA later this year, where I'll be aiming to put the car at the top of the podium!

Have you attended any racing schools?

N/A aka The School of Hard Knocks!

Suggestions for those who may want to get into racing but they’re not sure where to get started.

Google "[cityname] autocross" and get prepared to have more fun than you ever thought possible in whatever car you're driving! It's the safest, cheapest and easiest way to get into racing, and will help you develop driving skills to help you become a better driver, both on and off the course. Everything you learn here (car control at/past the limit, looking ahead, suspension setup) is directly transferable to other racing disciplines (like road racing, time attack, rally, and even drag racing), and you will meet and make fast friends with people just as excited about the sport as you!

SCCA National Event History

  • 2021:
    • 3rd GT USCA Las Vegas Motor Speedway
    • 2nd CAM-C SCCA National Tour Packwood
    • 2nd GT USCA Utah
    • 4th GT OUSCA
  • 2020 (GT):
    • 1st Optima USCA Pikes Peak International Raceway
    • 2nd Optima USCA Las Vegas Motor Speedway
    • 4th Optima USCA Willow Springs International Raceway
  • 2019 (CAM-C):
    • 1st Crows Landing Championship Tour
    • 3rd California CAM Challenge
    • 3rd Crows Landing Pro Solo
  • 2018 (CAM-C):
    • 2nd CAM Invitational
    • 2nd CAM Invitational CAM-C Challenge
    • 2nd SCCA Solo Nationals
    • 2nd Packwood Pro Solo
    • 2nd Packwood Championship Tour
    • 2nd California CAM Challenge
    • 1st Crows Landing Pro Solo
  • 2017 (CAM-C):
    • CAM Invitational Challenge Champion
    • CAM Invitational Champion
    • 2nd SCCA Solo Nationals
    • 2nd Packwood Pro Solo
    • 2nd Crows Landing Pro Solo
  • 2016 (CAM-C):
    • Pro Solo National Champion
    • Pro Solo Finale Champion
    • 1st Crows Landing Pro Solo
    • 1st Crows Landing Championship Tour
    • 2nd El Toro Pro Solo
    • 2nd San Diego Match Tour
  • 2015 (ESP):
    • 4th SCCA Solo Nationals
    • 1st Packwood Pro Solo
    • 1st Packwood Championship Tour


The Build


With the amount of abuse this car takes both on the track and autocross course, it needs to be able to withstand whatever is thrown its way. Dennis has worked hard to ensure this car stands up to the task, so that means an incredibly involved build list! To find out more details, check out the list below!

    From the Factory:
  • 5.0L "Coyote" Ti-VCT V8
  • 6-Speed MT-82 Manual Transmission

    Engine & Drivetrain Modifications
  • JBA Balanced & Blueprinted Coyote Performance Engine (9.35:1)
    • 0.010 Overbore
    • Deck Plate Honed Cylinders
    • Main Housing Bores Align Honed
    • Block Deburred and Radiused
    • Rotating Assembly Balanced
    • Oil System Modifications for High RPM Flow
    • Rod Clearances Set
    • Rings Hand Gapped and Filed
    • Manley 598110CE-8 Forged and Coated Pistons
    • Manley Stainless Steel Ringset
    • Manley 9310 Alloy Wristpin
    • Manley Forged H-Beam Connecting Rods
    • Tri-Metal Performance Main Bearings
    • Tri-Metal Performance Coated Rod Bearings
    • ARP Head Studs and Rod Bolts
    • Manley Valve Springs
    • Ford Performance Billet Oil Pump/Gears
    • MMR Billet Crankshaft Gear
    • Ford Racing Boss 302 Timing Chain Tensioners
    • Livernois Billet Pivoting Timing Chain Guides
    • ATI Harmonic Balancer
    • Ford Performance GT500 Aluminum Valve Covers
    • Ford Performance FP350S Oil Pan
  • VMP Gen 3 TVS 2650 Supercharger
  • Department of Boost GT550 Manifold
  • VMP 67mm Dual Blade Throttle Body
  • Fore Innovations L4 Fuel System
    • Fuel Rails in Parallel w/ Regulator Mounted After
    • TI Auto F90000274 Feed Pump
    • TI Auto F90000274 Primary Pump
    • TI Auto F90000274 Secondary Pump
    • F2i 2 Port Regulator
    • FC3 Staged Controller w/ 4GA Wiring
    • FC3 Honeywell Pressure Switch
    • PTFE -08AN Feed / Return lines
    • 128mm Microglass SSD Filter
    • 0-100 psi Fuel Pressure Gauge
  • Radium Engineering Fuel Pump Hanger
  • Radium Engineering Multi Pump Surge Tank
  • ID1050x Injectors
  • NGK Iridium IX Spark Plugs
  • Tracy Lewis Performance Signature Series Monster Dual Valve Catch Can
  • Fathouse Fabrications Valve Cover Fittings
  • Livernois EvenFlo 170 Degree Thermostat
  • Stainless Works 1 7/8" Headers
  • Stainless Works Hi-Flow Metal Matrix 200 Cell Cats
  • Borla Touring 2.5" Catback Exhaust
  • Calimer Transmissions MT82 Stage 3 Transmission w/ GForce Engineering Gearset
  • Ford Performance TI-VCT High RPM Competition Pulse Ring
  • McLeod RXT 1200 Clutch
  • McLeod Lightened Steel Flywheel
  • Ford GT500 Slave Cylinder and Throwout Bearing
  • MGW Race Spec Short Throw Shifter
  • Steeda Clutch Spring/Perch
  • QA1 REV Series SFI 43.1 Approved 1pc Carbon Fiber Driveshaft
  • GForce Performance Engineering 850hp Axles
  • OS Giken Super Lock 1.5 Way LSD
  • Ford Performance 3.31 Ring and Pinion

    Wheel & Tire Modifications
  • Forgestar CF5 18x12" Front/Rear Wheels (dry/warm/track/autox)
    • Yokohama ADVAN A052 315/30R18 Front/Rear tires (dry/warm/autox)
  • Forgestar F14 18x13" Front/Rear Wheels (dry/warm/autox)
    • BFGoodrich g-Force Rival S 1.5 335/30R18 Front/Rear Tires (dry/warm/autox)
  • Forgestar F14 19x12" Front/Rear Wheels (track testing)
    • Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar 3 325/30R19 Front/Rear Tires (dry/cool/track)
  • SVE 350R 19x11" Front/Rear Wheels (wet)
    • Michelin Pilot Sport 4S 305/30R19 Front/Rear Tires (wet)
  • Optimum Performance Front Aluminum Wheel Spacers
  • Optimum Performance GT4 Front Wheel Studs
  • ARP Extended Rear Wheel Studs
  • Optimum Performance High Strength Racing Lug Nuts

    Brake System Modifications
  • AP Racing 6pot Front Calipers
  • AP Racing 372x34mm 2pc Slotted Front Rotors
  • Carbotech XP20 (track) / XP8 (autox) Front Brake Pads
  • Spiegler Stainless Steel Front Brake Lines
  • Custom 3D Printed Front Brake Duct Inlets w/ 2.5" Ducting
  • AP Racing 4pot Rear Calipers
  • AP Racing 340x28mm 2pc Slotted Rear Rotors
  • Carbotech XP10 (track) / AX6 (autox) Rear Brake Pads
  • Spiegler Stainless Steel Rear Brake Lines

    Weight Reduction Modifications
  • Anderson Composites Dry Carbon Fiber Doors
  • Watson Racing Front Bumper Support
  • Watson Racing Rear Bumper Support
  • Planted Seat Brackets w/ Aluminum Side Mounts
  • Ford Performance GT350R Rear Seat Delete
  • Ford Aluminum Differential Carriage
  • Watson Racing Battery Relocation Kit
  • Optima RedTop 25 Battery
  • Ford Performance A/C Compressor Delete Pulley
  • PBH Performance A/C Compressor Delete Bracket
  • Fog Light Delete
  • Strut Tower Brace Delete
  • Cowl C-Brace Delete

    Oils & Fluids
  • Amsoil Signature Series 5W-50 Engine Oil
  • Amsoil 75W-90 Manual Transmission & Transaxle Fluid
  • OS Giken OS-250R 80W-250 Differential Fluid
  • Castrol SRF Brake Fluid

    Data Collection
  • AiM Solo 2 DL (track) / Petrel Data Systems SoloStorm (AutoX)
  • GlowShift Boost/IAT/Diff/Tranny/Engine Oil Temp Sensors/Gauges




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