Part 3 In A Three-Part Series: Mclearran Racing And Classic Inlines Wrap Up Our Turbocharged-Six Buildup
In our October issue, we introduced you to Mike Winterboer, Will and Kelly McLearran, and Brian Tuuri. In the relative scheme of things, these probably aren't names you would find lit up on a marquee. However, in the world of hot six-cylinder performance, these folks are quite significant. Classic Inlines and McLearran Motorsports have worked together for years to develop performance parts for classic Ford sixes. Will and Kelly, especially, have been so successful that they've managed to crack the 10-second barrier with a turbocharged Falcon sedan known all over the great American West.
Winterboer has been involved in construction for most of his adult life. Educated in aerospace in the early '70s, he planned a career in aviation. However, the Arab oil embargo changed all that, thrusting him into construction instead. Mustangs have been Winterboer's passion for nearly as long as there have been Mustangs. He bought his first one-a Signalflare Red GT hardtop-when he was in high school. Later, he set his sites on a '69 Mustang SportsRoof at a local Ford dealer. His father wouldn't agree to it, but the dream of owning a '69 SportsRoof remained all these years [sound familiar?-Ed.]. When he located this L-code SportsRoof a year ago, he realized it was now or never.
Winterboer founded Classic Inlines as Ford Six Performance many years ago, with virtually no financial backing and an abundance of horse sense. "It took every penny I had to develop an aluminum cylinder head for these classic Ford sixes," he says. He adds that it has been difficult to find people interested in supporting six-cylinder performance products.
Will McLearran begins fabrication work to accommodate the Yonaka intercooler. Believe it or not, little cutting had to be done to make room for such a large intercooler. Thank goodness Mike Winterboer didn't want A/C in this car.
We began our Classic Inlines project with Mike's '69 SportsRoof at The Mustang Shop in Mesa, Arizona, where Winterboer's SportsRoof was outfitted with Opentracker and Mustangs Plus Grab-A-Track suspension components, Edelbrock shocks, plus its own power rack-and-pinion steering system for exceptional handling. The Mustang Shop also bolted on Baer disc brakes at all four corners for over-the-top stopping power. Winterboer opted for American Racing Torq-Thrust D wheels for the authentic period look from the '60s. He had Maaco do a quick-shoot in Screaming Yellow accented with Battleship Gray.
In our last issue, the McLearrans built Winterboer a powerful 273ci stroker six ready for artificial aspiration from an intercooled turbo package, fed by port fuel injection and raw imagination. This month, we'll wrap up this project by showing you how the whole gang outfitted the engine room for state-of-the-art performance.
Power To The Firmament
When Winterboer was planning his six-cylinder powerhouse, he did a lot of thinking about the driveline. He considered the venerable Ford Top Loader four-speed, which is possible, rugged, and bulletproof. But he wanted efficiency for cruising, so he chose Tremec's World Class T5 five-speed transmission and a limited-slip 8-inch rearend from Randy's Ring & Pinion.
Projects like this aren't for the weak of heart. Because the McLearrans and Brian Tuuri have a lot of fabrication experience, plumbing Winterboer's SportsRoof for turbocharging was straightforward. The key to success is accurate measuring and close attention to detail. Here, Will McLearran and Tuuri measure for the 3-inch intake duct from the intercooler to engine inlet. | 
Tubing segments are tack-welded together for a fit check; then a solid bead is used once proper fit is established. | 
Once proper fit and routing are confirmed, the rest of the welding is completed. Check out the craftsmanship. |
The Details
'69 Mustang L-Code SportsRoof
Owner: Mike Winterboer, Classic Inlines, Chandler, AZ
McLearran stresses plenty of clearance between the pipe and body to prevent noise transfer. Tubing should not touch the body anywhere.
Fabrication work includes installation of the bypass valve. | 
McLearran carefully bores a hole sized to the bypass valve; then he welds the threaded plug in place. | 
Kelly McLearran installs the Turbonetics T04E turbocharger. We like the craftsmanship shown here with ceramic-coated, custom-fabricated headers in black. Self-locking hardware won't come loose when the go-pedal is on the mat. |