It's been a long time since we've seen this. There was a time when 5.0 intakes weren't falling out of trees. Back then, hogging out the factory throttle-body opening to match the diameter of your larger throttle body was the way to go. Here, the Anderson crew shows how to do it with the manifold still on the car. Stuff a rag in the opening to keep the filings out of the intake, put a towel or blanket under the opening, use a new throttle-body gasket to draw a template, then grind away. When the hole is large enough, use a shop vacuum to carefully remove all the metal filings.
After cleaning the mess, Chad installs a new Professional Products 75mm throttle body. These affordable throttle bodies have a trick adjustable mechanism for the throttle-position sensor, which eliminates the need to grind the mounting holes on your TPS sensor to properly adjust it to 0.90 volt with the throttle closed. Rick Anderson is also a fan of bypassing the coolant lines that travel through the EGR spacer. Heat is the enemy of horsepower. You can either cap the coolant fittings, use a single hose to connect the two, or install coolant tubes from a '93 Cobra that doesn't have provisions for EGR coolant.
For as long as we've been playing around with 5.0 Mustangs, it seems underdrive pulleys have been an easy and affordable way to add a handful of horsepower. These bright blue pieces are from FRPP; it's comforting to know FRPP still sells gear for our beloved 5.0.
We've long been fans of Bassani's high-quality exhaust parts, but premium parts usually command premium prices. The company's line of BX products is more affordable and it follows the same designs as its Bassani counterparts. Aluminized tubing is substituted for pricier stainless steel whenever possible. These are spanking-new, unequal-length short-tubes for the Fox 5.0.
Stopping with the headers is pointless when you consider the factory four-cat H-pipes on most Fox Mustangs are well past retirement age at this point. The Anderson crew continued the BX theme, bolting in one of the company's X-shape exhaust crossover pipes. In the BX version, the X is still stainless, but the other tubing is aluminized.
Wrapping up the exhaust is a pair of BX mufflers with turndowns. In the Midwest, turndowns are quieter than tractor exhaust, so they seem fine for all occasions. Besides, these center-in/center-out mufflers with turndowns are considerably cheaper than the more traditional offset mufflers and tailpipes.
Despite the shiny Power Pipe and throttle body giving themselves away, Chad's engine still looks relatively stock. Of course, it acts much different than stock.With a little tuning and the addition of the AFM Quick Kit, dyno numbers jumped to 43.96 hp and 45.28 lb-ft of torque for under $1,500. Not too shabby and, better yet, power and torque improved throughout the engine's useable rpm range. Just wait until we open up this baby with heads, cam, and intake.