Chelsea DeNofa's EcoBoost Fox Body
What started with Panda Motorworks helping on the tuning side of Chelsea DeNofa's 2.3L EcoBoost-swapped Fox Body has evolved into a fully built PandaBuilt engine program.
The Story
From EcoBoost Swap To PandaBuilt
Chelsea's Fox Body was created around a simple idea: build a lightweight, affordable drift car that could deliver serious seat time without requiring huge power or burning through consumables at the rate of a high-grip competition car. The platform started as a 1992 Mustang notchback and received a modern 2.3L EcoBoost pulled from a 2017 Mustang.
Panda Motorworks became involved on the tuning side of the project and has continued to support the car as the combination evolved. The latest chapter goes considerably further: the EcoBoost is now a fully built PandaBuilt 2.3L, giving the Fox Body a stronger foundation for the abuse that comes with repeated drift laps.
Chelsea summed it up best after the PandaBuilt setup hit the car: "This thing rips."
Build History
Previously Documented Fox Body Setup
Before the current PandaBuilt engine evolution, Chelsea's Fox Body was publicly documented with the following combination. These specs describe the earlier setup and are kept here as build history rather than being presented as the final current engine configuration.
A former drag-car shell reworked around a lightweight, affordable drift-car concept.
The four-cylinder EcoBoost was selected to keep weight and operating cost down while retaining usable torque.
Adapted to the EcoBoost as part of the Fox Body's lightweight drivetrain package.
The earlier documented engine used a Precision bolt-on turbo upgrade over the factory unit.
Paired with custom charge piping for the EcoBoost swap.
A standalone direct-injection control solution paired with a simplified engine harness and digital dash.
The build uses Radium's spare-tire-style 10.5-gallon fuel cell. The earlier setup was also publicly documented with upgraded NOSTRUM direct-injection fueling.
Built around a durable, simple rear-drive package for repeated drift use.
Publicly documented output from the earlier EcoBoost setup before the current PandaBuilt engine evolution.
Current Evolution
A Fully Built PandaBuilt 2.3L EcoBoost
Panda Motorworks originally supported the car through tuning, but the project has now progressed to a fully built PandaBuilt engine. The current combination is making 550 horsepower, moving the partnership beyond calibration and into the mechanical foundation of the EcoBoost itself.
The goal is straightforward: create a stronger engine package capable of handling sustained drift use while preserving the lightweight, responsive character that made Chelsea's EcoBoost Fox Body work so well in the first place. Fuel storage is handled by a Radium Engineering 10.5-gallon spare-tire fuel cell, giving the car a compact motorsports-oriented fuel solution that fits the Fox Body package.
PandaBuilt Engine Program
Chelsea's Fuel System & Related Engine Components
The Radium Engineering fuel cell below is confirmed on Chelsea's build. The remaining engine-building products are related PandaBuilt and EcoBoost components currently sold by Panda Motorworks and are not being represented as Chelsea's exact installed internals unless the final engine build sheet confirms them.
Follow The Project
See Chelsea's PandaBuilt Fox Body In Action
Follow Chelsea DeNofa and Panda Motorworks for the latest updates as the PandaBuilt EcoBoost combination continues to develop.