The Mustang Dark Horse SC is officially in the 9-second club. Fathouse Performance released a video on November 5 showing its Dark Horse SC 1000R running a 9.861 at 147.41 mph in the quarter mile. According to Fathouse, that makes it the first Dark Horse SC to run in the 9s, and no one else has claimed one yet.
For perspective, the quickest instrumented number we’ve seen from a stock SC is a 10.8. The car has only been in owners’ hands since this summer, so the aftermarket is moving fast.
Video: Fathouse Performance via YouTube
How Big of a Jump Is a 9-Second Pass?
A stock Dark Horse SC is already the quickest Mustang you can buy short of the GTD. Ford rates its supercharged 5.2L Predator V8 at 795 hp and 660 lb-ft, backed by a 7-speed dual-clutch. (Our Dark Horse SC specs guide has the full breakdown.) Here’s how the stock car’s quarter-mile numbers compare to the Fathouse pass.
| Car and test | Quarter mile | Trap speed | Conditions |
| Fathouse DHSC 1000R | 9.861 sec | 147.41 mph | Drag strip pass, per Fathouse’s video |
| Stock SC, MotorTrend | 10.8 sec | 131.8 mph | Instrumented test, GPS data with rollout correction |
| Stock SC with Track Pack, Edmunds | 11.0 sec | 130.7 mph | Prepped strip at Sonoma Raceway, 1-foot rollout |
Here’s the detail that trips up a lot of people: magazine numbers and timeslips aren’t measured the same way. MotorTrend’s test comes from GPS data loggers, while Edmunds’ 11.0 came off a prepped drag strip, which is the closer comparison to a real pass. Against that Edmunds pass, the 1000R is more than a second quicker. The trap speed tells the bigger story: 147.41 mph is roughly 16 to 17 mph faster than either stock test, and trap speed reflects power more than the launch does.
The other one is horsepower. Ford’s 795 hp is measured at the crank, and Fathouse quotes wheel horsepower, after drivetrain loss. Fathouse posted a baseline dyno of 699 whp and 620 lb-ft on 93 octane for its stock SC development car. That makes the 1000R’s 800+ whp on 93 roughly 100 more at the wheels on pump gas, and its 1,000+ whp on E85 about 300 more.
What’s in the Dark Horse SC 1000R “First Edition”
Fathouse has already posted a package page for the 2026 Fathouse DHSC 1000R Supercharged “First Edition”. It stays supercharged, unlike the twin-turbo route Fathouse took with its Dark Horse TT 1000 on the 5.0L Coyote. Here’s what Fathouse lists so far:
- Power: 800+ whp on 93 octane, 1,000+ whp on E85 (Fathouse claim)
- Acceleration: 5.4 seconds from 60 to 130 mph (Fathouse claim)
- Documentation: Certificate of Authenticity, serialized engine plaque, and a dedicated owner’s manual
- Warranty: 2-year or 12,000-mile limited
That 60 to 130 number is worth a second look. Fathouse lists 5.5 seconds for its Shelby GT350 1000R Twin Turbo, so the SC package is claiming to edge out one of the shop’s own established 1000R builds.
Why the 1000R Badge Carries Weight
If you’ve followed the modern Mustang aftermarket, the 1000R name isn’t new. The Martinsville, Indiana, shop has built its reputation on serialized, turnkey packages for Ford’s top performance cars, including the 2020+ Shelby GT500 1000R Supercharged, the GT350 1000R Twin Turbo, and a Raptor R 1000R. Fathouse is also the development partner behind Shelby American’s Code Red GT500.
The Dark Horse SC uses the same Predator V8 family as the 2020 to 2022 GT500, which Fathouse knows as well as anyone. That head start helps explain how a 9-second SC showed up within months of customer deliveries.
What We Don’t Know Yet
This is fresh, and Fathouse hasn’t filled in every detail. Here’s what’s still open:
- Price: the package page doesn’t list one yet. For reference, the Dark Horse SC itself starts at $108,485 before any of this.
- Parts list: Fathouse hasn’t published what’s in the package beyond the power figures.
- “First Edition”: the name suggests a limited run, but Fathouse hasn’t said how many will be built.
- The pass itself: fuel, tires, and setup for the 9-second run.
We’ll update this article as Fathouse shares more.
New to the SC? Catch up with our Dark Horse SC specs guide and the S650 Mustang hub, or browse the latest in Mustang News.
If you had a Dark Horse SC, would you keep it stock and under factory warranty, or send it to Martinsville for the 1000R? Let us know in the comments.
FAQ
How fast is a stock Dark Horse SC in the quarter mile?
MotorTrend ran 10.8 seconds at 131.8 mph in instrumented testing. Edmunds ran 11.0 seconds at 130.7 mph on a prepped strip at Sonoma Raceway.
How much horsepower does the Dark Horse SC make?
Ford rates the supercharged 5.2L V8 at 795 hp and 660 lb-ft of torque.
What is the Fathouse DHSC 1000R?
It’s Fathouse Performance’s supercharged turnkey package for the Dark Horse SC, sold as a “First Edition.” Fathouse claims 800+ whp on 93 octane and 1,000+ whp on E85.
Is this the first 9-second Dark Horse SC?
Fathouse says it is. Its car ran a 9.861 at 147.41 mph, and we haven’t seen another one claimed yet.
How much does the Dark Horse SC 1000R cost?
Fathouse hasn’t published pricing yet. We’ll update this article when it does.
What’s the difference between crank and wheel horsepower?
Crank horsepower is measured at the engine, which is how Ford rates the SC. Wheel horsepower is measured on a chassis dyno after drivetrain loss, which is how Fathouse quotes the 1000R.
