Positioned above the base 3.7 liter V6 but below the 5.0 liter V8, the 2015 Mustang’s 2.3 liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine has a lot of expectations to live up to. With 310 horsepower and the lowest curb weight, buyers are going to want a certain level of performance. Sure, it shouldn’t be able to keep up with the GT, but it shouldn’t be at the back of the pack on track day either.

A Mustang6G.com forum poster by the handle of Impulse7 posted video of what was supposed to be a mere shakedown run at Virginia International Raceway for the mildly-modified EcoBoost Mustang. Instead of just a few easy laps, he ended up staying on track for the entire event, coming away with mostly-positive reviews of everything save the stock brakes.

Modifications are limited to Steeda ultralite linear rate springs, Mishimoto oil cooler, JLT cold air intake, MAPerformance intercooler, and a 3-inch single exhaust. According to Impule78, the EcoBoost Mustang pulls great in the corners, and he was able to keep up with some much quicker cars thanks to the slightly-tuned suspension.

One letdown, however, were the stock brakes, which went soft after just four laps of hard driving. Even after a quick brake fluid swap, Impulse7 got just two more laps in before the he had to call it a day. From the sounds of it, somebody didn’t opt for the Track package, and the bigger, better Brembos would have been a big help. Sounds like an excuse for more upgrades to us.

Even without the bigger brakes though, the EcoBoost engine was pushing the Mustang past Porsches in the straightaways. It’s still a little early to call it, but the EcoBoost Mustang may be the sleeper hit of the season.