While drag races are usually nothing more than plain fun, this one answers an important question: Which is the better route for high-horsepower figures? Supercharged or twin-turbocharged? YouTube channel, Officially Gassed, answers the question by bringing two Ford Mustang GTs that make similar power with two very different setups, based on the 5.0-liter V-8.

Supercharged Ford Mustang GT

The supercharged build is based on a pre-facelift, S550 Ford Mustang GT. It’s also the more powerful of the two cars, with 980 horsepower and 730 pound-feet (990 Nm). Modifications include a Stage 6 Whipple supercharger, dual-pass charge cooler, billet timing chain tensioner, crank-gear, arms, and oil pump, methanol injection, and a Torsen differential with 3.31 gears.

Power goes to the rear through a six-speed manual transmission. The Mustang GT tips the scales at 3,637 pounds (1,650 kg). In terms of rubber, the “Stang” sits on Michelin Pilot Sport 4S street tires.

Twin-turbo Ford Mustang GT

We have talked about this car before as it is the first twin-turbocharged Ford Mustang, in the U.K.. It may have “only” 950 horsepower but has a bit more torque than the supercharged car – 800 pound-feet (1,084 Nm). Modifications include a Hellion twin-turbo kit, including two, 62mm Precision turbochargers.

The twin-turbo Mustang GT features the same supporting mods as the supercharged one and adds an upgraded intercooler. However, it does not have methanol injection. It has an identical curb weight of 3,637 pounds (1,650 kg) and also has a 3,637 pounds (1,650 kg). However, this one has six-speed manual.

Quarter-mile and 0 to 60 mph times

Apart from the type of forced induction, both cars are quite similar. Here’s how it translates on the tarmac. Tom, the driver of the twin-turbo car, goes first and relies on gently feeding the power, off the line. Unfortunately, it results in a not-so-impressive 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) time of 5.35 seconds. Ben, the owner of the supercharged Mustangs is more aggressive off the line and manages a 4.91-second 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) run.

By now, it’s clear that sending so much power to the rear is no easy task. With this in mind, here’s what the quarter-mile times were. The supercharged car goes first and manages a 12.56-second quarter-mile time at 128.84 mph (207.34 km/h). The twin-turbo Mustang, once again, fell short of expectations, with a quarter-mile time of 12.88 seconds at 122.4 mph (196.98 km/h). So far, the supercharged car proves to be the better route for high-horsepower builds, but the drag and roll races may bare different results.

The Drag race

For whatever reason (probably, to keep the gearbox in one piece), neither of the cars executed an aggressive launch. However, there was a clear winner after just two races – the supercharged Mustang beat the twin-turbo one by two cars in the first race, and by one and a half cars in the second. While the supercharged car couldn’t pull away, it was enough to keep the twin-turbo Mustang in second place.

The roll race

A rolling race would give the twin-turbocharged Mustang an advantage. It just so happens that the supercharged car spun its wheels while shifting between gears, allowing the more torquey, twin-turbo car to pull ahead and win the race, by three car lengths. Interestingly enough, the second race was won by the supercharged car, even if by less than a car length. The decisive, third race was, once again, won by the supercharged car, which pulled on the twin-turbo Mustang, by about two car lengths.

Conclusion

It’s always interesting when the less high-tech method bears better results. The supercharger has more inherent flaws than the turbocharger and, in this case, has less torque. However, the winner in this Mustang on Mustang battle is the car with a more responsive engine and more linear torque and power band. Sadly, while both builds have their pros and cons, there can only be one winner.