RAM GARAGE RACING: FORGING AN SN95 INTO A NATIONAL-LEVEL SUPERCHARGED STREET CAR MONSTER
Every once in a while, a build appears in the Optima paddock that stops people in their tracks. Not because it’s flashy. Not because it’s exotic. But because it’s clearly something far rarer — a car built by people who live performance, study performance, and relentlessly chase performance.
The Ram Garage Racing 2004 Mustang GT is that car.
Hand-built over a decade by father-son team Matt and Jim Ramirez in their home garage, this SN95 has evolved into a national contender with three Optima GT Class wins, seven straight OUSCI invitations, and the crown jewel — the 2025 Optima GT Class Cup Championship.
Despite its affectionate and humble nickname of the 'Regular ass mustang," it is, without question, one of the most complete, deeply engineered SN95 builds in the country.
And its heart beats with Cortex Racing suspension geometry.
THE ORIGINS: FROM A V6 AUTOMATIC TO A 760-WHP STREET CAR BEAST
This story starts humbly — with a V6 automatic Mustang Matt’s dad insisted was “safer.” But instead of frustration, it planted ambition.
Years later, after graduating college, Matt found a Crimson Red Anniversary 2004 Mustang GT — Vortech-supercharged, 5-speed, cheap enough to take a gamble on. He bought it, pulled it into the garage, and began what he thought would be a tasteful street build.
But one autocross in 2017 flipped that script instantly. The chassis talked. The car felt alive. The potential was obvious.
The goal changed from “cool street car” to:
"Build a Mustang that can run with the fastest cars in the OPTIMA series — and win."
Today, that vision is reality.
THE POWERPLANT: A SUPERCHARGED, DRY-SUMP 5.2L THAT HITS LIKE A HAMMER
While the chassis is what lets this car dance, the engine is what makes it violent in a straight line. The powerplant is a Pulidos Racing 5.2L stroked and sleeved 4-valve DOHC V8, built from a Teksid aluminum block with Darton Coyote sleeves and forged internals.
This is not a “typical modular build.” It is a purpose-built, long-life racing engine designed for endurance, cooling efficiency, and repeatability — not dyno glory.
ENGINE HIGHLIGHTS:
- 5.2L stroked & sleeved DOHC V8
- Aviad dry sump system w/ 3-gal ButlerBuilt tank
- Bullet Racing cams, PAC springs, Ford GT followers
- Cobra 4V heads fully reground by Valley Head Service
- Innovators West 7.5” damper
- Vortech V2 Si-HD supercharger spinning at 60,000 rpm
- Vortech race blow-off valve
- Fully ceramic-coated Stainless Works long-tubes, X-pipe, Borla XR1 exhaust
Power Output:
~900 hp crank / 760 whp / 650 wtq
And it does it on E85, safely, repeatably, in competition.
Cooling is equally serious, with:
- Fluidyne 3-core radiator
- MMR billet Y-pipe
- Gords Ford heat exchanger
- A complete air/water intercooler system
- A trunk-mounted ice box with custom lines
- AC delete + radiator ducting
This isn't a street car cooling loop — it’s an endurance-race thermal package hidden inside a street chassis.
DRIVETRAIN: BUILT TO HANDLE THE HEAT
Feeding all that power into a chassis this sharp requires a drivetrain up to the task:
- T56 6-speed, rebuilt with carbon clutches & brass keys
- Exedy Hypertwin clutch
- QA1 carbon fiber driveshaft
- Torsen T2R differential
- 3.73 gearing
- MGW short-throw shifter
- Adjustable pedal height & billet clutch quadrant
Everything is designed for durability, precision, and repeatable feel under the intense multi-discipline demands of OPTIMA competition.
THE SUSPENSION: WHERE THIS CAR BECAME A WEAPON
This entire build is a showcase in understanding the SN95’s limitations and systematically eliminating every single one.
At the core is Cortex Racing geometry.
This is where the car completely changed character.
🟦 Cortex Xtreme-Grip SLA Front Suspension with GT350 Hubs
The MacPherson strut is gone — replaced with a fully engineered short-long-arm double-wishbone front suspension. The benefits are enormous:
- Dramatically improved camber gain
- Superior braking stability
- Reduced scrub radius
- Better mid-corner grip and consistency
- Sharper steering response with less friction
- Zero unpredictable bump steer
- A massive improvement in contact patch stability
Paired with QA1 4-way adjustable mod shocks with Cortex revalving, the car can be tuned with finesse — controlling pitch, roll, and transient behavior with precision unheard of in a factory SN95.
🟦 Maximum Motorsports Tubular K-Member + Bumpsteer
Cortex and Maximum Motorsports components work together here — the MM K-member serving as the structural foundation for the SLA, with:
- solid steering shaft
- steering rack bushings
- realignment of suspension pivots
- a modified strut-tower brace for added stiffness
This front end is tight, rigid, and incredibly communicative.
🟦 Cobra IRS Conversion with Delrin & FTBR Upgrades
The rear is just as serious:
- 2004 Cobra IRS swap
- Full FTBR Delrin bushing kit
- FTBR bumpsteer correction
- Adjustable sway bar end links
- 1000 lb front / 1000 lb rear spring rates
Combined with a Cortex-tuned balance, the result is a car that:
- turns with precision
- rotates when asked
- stays planted under power
- and absolutely loves high-speed transitions
🟦 Kenny Brown / Cortex-Linked Sway Bars & End Links
The rear roll stiffness is dialed in with a Kenny Brown bar paired to Cortex adjustable links, giving Matt and Jim the ability to perfectly match front vs rear rotation balance across different events.
BRAKING & WHEELS: BIG GRIP, BIG STOPPING POWER
Brakes:
- Wilwood XRZ 4-piston calipers, front and rear
- 14” front / 13” rear full-floating rotors
- BP35 pads
- Stainless lines
- Wilwood master cylinder for manual braking
- Delta Motorsports ABS with driver-adjustable 9-slip
The ABS is a massive advantage — consistent braking confidence at every event, regardless of surface.
Wheels & Tires:
- Litespeed Racing forged magnesium wheels
- 18×12.5 rear, 19×12 front
- Hoosier Track Attack Pro (335 rear) + RE71RS (305 front)
- ARP studs, titanium lugs
- Carbon fiber caps
The footprint is enormous. The feedback is immediate. The mechanical grip is unreal.
INTERIOR: BUILT FOR COMPETITION BUT FINISHED LIKE A SHOW CAR
Inside, the car blends function with incredible presentation:
- Status Racing seats
- Sabelt 6-point harness
- MM 4-point roll bar
- NRG quick-release wheel
- Dual-screen custom center console
- Carbon fiber trim throughout
- LED lighting in seat delete, trunk, and engine bay
- USB ports, suede panels, audio integration
This is not a stripped race car. It’s a highly finished cockpit built for competition and comfort.
ELECTRONICS & DATA: A FULLY INSTRUMENTED RACE PLATFORM
One of the most impressive aspects of the build is the electronics suite:
- RaceCapture Pro MK3 full telemetry system
- 16-channel tire temp array
- Oil pressure, oil temp, diff temp, water pressure, AFR sensors
- Autosport Labs ShiftX3 shift light & gear indicator
- Live telemetry streaming
- In-car text alerts
- Selectable engine tune files
- Wireless Memphis Audio headless stereo
This is a data-driven build. Every run teaches the team something. Every lap is analyzed.
PAINT, BODY & AERO: MODERN MUSCLE AESTHETICS ON A CLASSIC SHAPE
The bodywork is equal parts beauty and function with all custom paint done by Reiss Racing & Restoration:
- Full House of Kolor repaint in custom maroon/red
- Widebody carbon fiber front fenders + rear quarter flares
- Carbon polyweave splitter, diffuser, skirts, decklid spoiler, canards
- Carbon fiber Chicane23 hood
- AJ Hartman Aero Carbon Fiber Rear Wing
- 03–04 Cobra bumper
- Gloss black engine bay
- Powder-coated undercarriage & roll bar
- GT4-inspired Palmer Signs livery wrap
This Mustang looks like a professional motorsports entry — and backs it up with results.
THE LEGACY: RELENTLESS IMPROVEMENT, ZERO COMPROMISE
What makes this build exceptional isn’t just the parts list — it’s the philosophy.
Matt and Jim embody the true Cortex mindset:
Test, learn, revise, repeat. Always improve. Never stop.
Every event spawns new ideas.
Every race informs the next evolution.
Every upgrade is deliberate and engineered with purpose.
This SN95 isn’t just competitive — it’s redefining what the platform can be.
And here at Cortex Racing, we couldn’t be prouder to be part of that transformation.
