Consistency at the Limit: Keagan Kochie’s Track-Focused GT350
For Keagan Kochie, all it took was one track day.
When he bought his Shelby GT350 five years ago, the plan was simple: enjoy one of Ford’s greatest driver’s cars largely as-is, maybe add some boost later, and keep it mostly street-focused.
Then he attended his first HPDE event.
“That completely changed everything,” Keagan said with a laugh.
What started as a clean, lightly modified GT350 quickly evolved into something far more serious — a purpose-built track machine developed around consistency, predictability, and driver confidence. Today, the car reflects not only his obsession with performance, but also the journey that pulled him deeper into motorsports.
And honestly, motorsports was probably inevitable from the beginning.
Built From a Lifelong Passion for Motorsports
Keagan grew up around cars and racing thanks to his father’s involvement in drag racing. Some of his earliest memories were spent in the garage watching his dad work on his ’70 Impala SS.
“Ever since I was in diapers, I was in the shop,” he explained. “Some of my favorite memories to this day are being out in the garage with him working on cars.”
Motorsports became more than just a hobby — it became part of who he was.
But while racing had always been present in his life, road course driving entered the picture thanks to some encouragement from one of his close friends.
“One of my best friends, Zach Heinl, basically peer pressured me into bringing the car to the track about a month after I bought it,” he laughed.
That first HPDE event changed the trajectory of both the car and Keagan’s life.
“I immediately got hooked. After that, the entire direction of the car completely shifted toward motorsports.”
Why the GT350?
For Keagan, the GT350 stood apart from nearly every Mustang Ford had ever built.
“I chose the GT350 platform because of how unique it is, and how much of a true driver’s car it feels like,” he said. “The sound, the steering feel, the looks, and the overall character separate it from pretty much any Mustang Ford has ever built.”
Rather than chasing huge power numbers right away, Keagan leaned into what made the platform special from the factory: balance, feedback, and emotion.
That mindset still defines the build today.
Building Confidence Through Consistency
If there’s one word that defines both Keagan’s driving style and the evolution of the car, it’s consistency.
“My build philosophy has really been centered around consistency and predictability,” he explained. “I want every modification to create a constant — something I can rely on lap after lap.”
That philosophy influences every decision made on the car. Instead of throwing random parts at the platform, every modification is chosen to improve confidence, repeatability, and the ability to better understand what the car is doing at the limit.
“If every system on the car behaves consistently, it allows me to drive with a lot more confidence,” he said. “It also gives me much better direction for future modifications, because I can clearly identify what’s actually helping the car and what isn’t.”
The result is a GT350 built with one clear objective: maximize on-track performance without compromise.
The Build
At the center of the car is an RPG Racing Engines-built 5.2L flat-plane crank Voodoo engine featuring:
13:1 compression
Frankenstein ported heads
Stainless Works long tube headers
JLT intake
ID1050x injectors
VP Racing C85 fuel
The naturally aspirated setup stays true to the high-revving personality that makes the GT350 so special, while delivering the consistency Keagan values on track.
The car rides on Apex SM10 wheels wrapped in Pirelli DH slicks with GT4 extended studs, providing the grip necessary to support the aggressive suspension and aero package.
Aerodynamic modifications include:
A custom chassis-mounted carbon fiber splitter fabricated by Keagan himself in his basement
Professional Awesome hardware
Archetype Racing canards
APR GT250 71-inch wing
Singular endplates
Suspension duties are handled by the factory MagneRide system paired with:
AJ Hartman front coilover conversion kit with 400 lb springs
AJ Hartman rear spring kit with 1100 lb springs
Vorshlag caster camber plates
SPC rear camber arms
AJ Hartman spherical bearings
Inside, the car has become fully focused on track performance:
Custom fabricated 4-point roll cage
Sparco Grid Q seat
Corbeau camlock harness
The braking system consists of:
6-piston Brembo front calipers
4-piston rear calipers
Girodisc rotors
Cobalt XR1 front pads
Cobalt XR3 rear pads
The Biggest Performance Gains
Ask Keagan what modifications made the biggest difference on track, and his answer isn’t horsepower.
“Tires and brakes, honestly.”
He views the relationship between the two systems as foundational to every other aspect of performance.
“They have a symbiotic relationship on track, and almost everything relies on their consistency,” he explained. “Your power, suspension, and aero package are only as effective as the tire and brake system supporting them. If those aren’t working properly, nothing else really matters.”
It’s a perspective that many experienced track drivers eventually discover: confidence under braking and reliable grip unlock the full potential of both the car and the driver.
Why He Trusts Cobalt Friction
That focus on consistency is exactly why Keagan chose Cobalt Friction brake pads for the GT350.
Currently running XR1 front pads and XR3 rears, he says the pads have exceeded every expectation he had going into the setup.
“The biggest thing for me is consistency and predictability,” he said. “Lap after lap, session after session, they inspire a ton of confidence because I know exactly how the car is going to respond under braking.”
Beyond outright stopping power, Keagan praised the pads for their modulation, fade resistance, and rotor friendliness — all critical factors during extended track sessions.
“The bite is incredible, the modulation is fantastic, and most importantly, they simply do not fade,” he explained. “That level of consistency allows me to push the car harder and focus more on driving rather than second-guessing the brake system.”
He also noted how manageable rotor wear has been despite the aggressive nature of the compound — an important detail when replacement rotors can cost over $1,200 per set.
Looking Ahead
Keagan’s long-term goals include continuing to improve as a driver while evolving the GT350 into an even more capable track machine. Competitive time attack is firmly on the horizon, but for now, he’s enjoying every part of the process.
“I’m just enjoying the entire process right now — the driving, the learning, the building, and even creating content around the car and sharing that journey with other enthusiasts.”
That process includes several events already planned for 2026, including multiple track days at his home circuit, Brainerd International Raceway, along with Octane Autofest and the Northwoods Shelby Club’s Fourth of July weekend event at Road America.
But beyond lap times and future goals, what keeps him coming back is simple.
“The process is addicting,” he said. “And getting to do it with my closest friends and family is just the best.”
For Keagan, that’s what motorsports is really about: constantly improving, building something meaningful, and sharing the experience with the people who matter most.