its all about going fast...just because you've got leather seats, 200lbs worth of exhaust system, spare tire, etc in YOUR car doesnt mean thats whats in his. You can check out his build here
http://www.dxsoftware.com/magnus/ car went from one of the fastest 3.8 v6 cars to one of if not thee fastest bolt on car. You don't get to 10.9's with headers catback & and intake...it takes alot of weightloss & a ton of mods, a great combo & great(and lots of it) tuning!
Here's his mods list for the 10.98 run
#
Wheels & Tires:
# Front: Bogart Aluma Light 15x3.5 - Moroso DS2
# Rear : Bogart Aluma Light 15x10 - M/T ET Drag 28x10.5x15
Weight Reduction list:
# Removed Front Sway Bar + Brackets
# Removed Rear Panhard Upper Brace
# Removed Front and Rear Bumper Supports
# Removed All A/C Components
# Removed Passanger Seat
# Removed Rear Seat + Seat Belts
# Removed Rear Speaker Pannels
# Removed Carpet & Insulation
# Removed Spare Tire & Jack
# Removed HVAC, Dash Tubes & Insulation
# Removed Glove Box
# Removed Passanger Side Air Bag
# Removed ABS and Power Steering
# Removed EGR, Air Pump and EVAP
# Removed Wiper Arms and Motors
# Removed Door Pannels and Speakers
# Removed Excess Wiring Harness
# Removed Door Bars
Modifications list:
Brakes
# Strange Front Drag Brakes
# Strange Rear Drag Brakes
Cooling System
# Electric Water Pump (Race Version)
Drivetrain
# RK Sport Aluminum Drive Shaft
# Strange race 12 bolt narrowed 2" each side
# 4.10 Gear + Spool
Engine
# Prothane Poly Motor Mounts
# LSx 90mm Intake
# ASP Underdrive crank pulley
Exhaust
# QTP Long Tube Headers
NOTICE ONLY HEADERS NO CATBACK AT ALL
Fuel System
# Walbro 255 lt/hr In-Tank Pump
Ignition
# Stock Wires
# NGK TR55 Spark Plugs
Induction
# 90mm FAST Open TB
Suspension
# BMR Lower Control Arms (Tubular w/Poly Bushings)
# MAC Chassis Mount Torque Arm
# QA1 R Series Front Adjustable Shocks
# QA1 Rear Adjustable Shocks
# BMR Tubular K-Member
# BMR Tubular Upper and Lower A-Arms
# Alston Panhard Bar
# Spohn drag anti-roll bar
Transmission
# Energy Suspension Poly Trans Mount
# Yank Pro Thruster 4400
# Speed Inc Vac Modulated Transmission
# B&M Transmission Cooler
Tuning
# Tuned using HP Tuners VCM Suite
basically weight reduction, big stall, headers, best intake, tall numerical gearing, and every bolt on you can find.