Everyone Remembers Their First Burnout
Screaming engines. Clouds of smoke. Tires howling in protest. And that unforgettable smell of burning rubber! For many gearheads, the first burnout is the moment that cemented their love for cars. Whether it was a one-wheel-fire in a beat-up El Camino or watching a pro-level burnout car drown a crowd in smoke, these wild displays of horsepower are part of our DNA.
In today’s world of refined motorsports and high-dollar race builds, burnout competitions bring back that raw, hooligan energy. And no one does it bigger than the Australians.
Australia Leads the Burnout Craze
Australia is home to the most competitive burnout car scene on the planet, where mega-horsepower engines, screaming blowers, and walls of smoke dominate. MegaSquirt engine management has been at the center of grassroots motorsport since 2000, and burnout cars are no exception.
One of the best examples is a 1990 Ford Falcon appropriately named “BARK.” Built by Glenn Taylor of Nelg’s Ali Mods and Jamie Staltari of ShiftKits Australia, this Falcon proves that burnout cars are about more than just tire smoke—they’re about creativity, engineering, and pushing the limits of what’s possible.
Under the Hood: Ford’s Inline Six, Reimagined
At first glance, BARK looks unassuming—just a Falcon sedan with bright paint. But beneath the hood lies a monster:
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Engine Base: Ford 4.0L SOHC from a 1999 AU Falcon
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Strengthened Block: Half cement-filled with factory cross-bolted mains
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Internals: Custom pistons from Tunnel Vision/SPS, Scat rods, billet rocker assembly
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Camshaft: Custom grind from Jason at TunnelVision
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Forced Induction: Twin-intercooled GM 4-71 supercharger on a custom intake
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Fueling: 6× 2400cc injectors in the manifold + 2× 2000cc injectors in the blower (methanol)
And just for fun, Glenn mounted the throttle body after the blower—because he was told it wouldn’t work. Spoiler: it does.
Controlled Chaos: MS3Pro Ultimate Engine Management
With more than 20 psi of boost and eight methanol injectors feeding the beast, BARK needs brains as much as brawn. That’s where the MS3Pro Ultimate ECU comes in:
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Engine Safeties: Monitors AFR, oil pressure, fuel pressure, and EGTs. If things go wrong while the cockpit fills with smoke, the ECU steps in.
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Data Logging: High-speed logs after every event allow the team to catch small issues before they become catastrophic.
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CAN-EGT Integration: Individual cylinder monitoring for safe and consistent power.
Backed by a TH400 with transbrake and custom torque converter from ALLFAST, this Falcon is as reliable as it is rowdy.
Why Build a Burnout Car?
When asked why he built BARK, Glenn had one answer: addiction.
“Once you’ve been on the pad lost in a cloud of smoke, you’re instantly hooked. You just want to do it again and again, no matter what it takes.”
And while most would choose a V8, Glenn stuck with Ford’s inline six—because anyone can bolt a blower to a V8. Proving people wrong is part of the fun.
What’s Next for BARK?
The car is currently being rebuilt for the next season with upgrades that include:
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A reinforced rear end tied into the cage for strength
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New 2-inch, 6-into-1 extractors for improved flow
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Fine-tuned setup for both drag racing and burnout competitions
As Glenn puts it: “Other than that, the plan is to beat the living hell out of it every chance I get.”
Conclusion: Smoke, Noise, and Pure Joy
BARK is more than a burnout car—it’s a rolling statement of creativity and passion. It shows how far a team can push a platform when paired with innovation, dedication, and the control of an MS3Pro Ultimate ECU.
At DIYAutoTune, we’re proud to power builds like this one and to see our systems protecting engines while the drivers focus on what really matters—making smoke and having fun.