How To Achieve Better Performance - Power Trippin'

Horse Sense: If you were given an opportunity to design a killer combo (5.0 or 4.6), what would it consist of and approximately how much would it cost? Dial into our Web site (www.50mustangandsuperfords.com) and look for the "Killer Combos" topic on the message board. Let us know your thoughts about the best-bang-for-buck performance packages for '79-'07 'Stangs.

In the high-performance Mustang game, the timeless adage "The pursuit of speed is expensive-how fast can I afford to go?" is usually the first thing a 'Stangbanger considers when thoughts of stepping up come to mind.

Selecting upgrades for a Pony's engine, drivetrain, chassis, suspension, or physical appearance can be simple, but many of you find yourselves torn between making one move or another. When that happens, you look to us for guidance on which path to take.

Mustangs-from Foxes to S197s-are our passion at 5.0 Mustang & Super Fords. We're always thinking of new and different ideas to research and report, and we have a particular fondness for investigating various methods of achieving better performance for 5.0 and Two- and Three-Valve 4.6 Mustangs.

As we've mentioned many times in the past, using a proven combination of parts-commonly referred to as a package-is one of the best methods of attaining optimum performance (daily driving, street/ strip, and so on) for a 'Stang. Some of today's packages even combine the latest in high-performance technology, as well as tried-and-true, old-school magic that makes pushrod and modular engines pump out serious power.

We test naturally aspirated and power-adder performance packages for both engine platforms on a fairly regular basis. They can be comprised of a completely new engine, exhaust, and a power adder, or cylinder heads/camshafts and intake manifolds. For example, we profiled Trick Flow's heads/cam/ intake package for stock 5.0s in our April '05 issue ("Zoom at the Top," p. 190). A killer combo can be as small as the right assemblage of simple bolt-on pieces and tuning.

Power gains depend on the type of combination you apply to your 'Stang. Similar to anything else that's associated with modifying a Pony, horsepower-specific upgrades can range from mild to wild. The wilder the upgrades are, the more expensive the process becomes.

We asked owners and technicians from a few nationally known Mustang shops for details on some of the popular combos offered for '05-and-up Mustang GT enthusiasts and OG 'Stangbangers in the modular and Fox-5.0 crowd. Since we know the question "How fast can I afford to go?" usually has some influence on the type of performance package selected, we asked for information on the latest real-world combinations that offer great bang for the buck, instead of over-the-top, mega-dollar, fantasy packages.

Our panelists weighed in with an impressive variety of options that can step up a 'Stang's program from 50 to 150 additional horsepower-even more, in some cases.

While we can't present an extensive catalog detailing each and every killer combo, we've selected several good examples.We suggest you call or e-mail any of these power brokers-or any of the other fine companies in this magazine-for more information on the setups offered and ask for assistance in selecting a combination that best suits your performance desires and budget.

Anderson Ford Motorsport
Anderson Ford's Rick Anderson, a longtime developer of killer combos for Mustangs, sent us a rundown of performance packages for Foxes, SN-95s, New Edges, and S197s.

While the '05-'07 combos are currently limited to only two, Rick says Anderson's heads/cam/intake packages for Three Valves (naturally aspirated and force inducted) should be available for testing by the time you read this.

5.0 ('87-'93)

Quick Kit I (PN PK8793NA-QK1)
Features: Flow Dynamics headers, Bassani BX off-road X-shape crossover and turndown mufflers, street underdrive pulleys, Professional Products 75mm throttle body and 75mm EGR spacer, LOADio mass air, and Anderson Power Pipe

6,200-rpm Naturally Aspirated Top-End Kit (PN PK8793NA-TEK/'87-'93)
Features: Professional Products Typhoon intake manifold; N-41 camshaft; Trick Flow Twisted Wedge cylinder heads and pushrods; PRW 1.6 roller rockers; Anderson polished valve covers and valve cover gaskets; Ford Racing Performance Parts timing chain, gears, and intake gaskets; ARP head bolts; and Fel-Pro head gaskets and exhaust gasketsRecommended: 3.73 gears, Power Pipe, and Velocity mass air meter

6,500-rpm Naturally Aspirated Top-End Kit (PN PK8793NA-QK2/'89-'93)
Features: Same as 6,200-rpm naturally aspirated top-end kit, with N-51 camshaftRecommended: Quick Kit I

Ultimate Street/Strip Forced Induction Top-End Kit (PN PK8793UFI-TEK)
Features: Same as 6,500-rpm naturally aspirated top-end kit, but without the centrifugal supercharger. Includes Vortech Mondo box, Trick Flow-R bottom intake manifold and 1-inch spacer, Anderson CNC 320 Twisted Wedge cylinder heads, ARP 11/42-inch head bolts, Anderson B-451 camshaft, and PRW stainless steel rocker armsRequires: 131/44-inch headers and 3-inch exhaust

4.6 Two-Valve ('96-'98)

Stage-I Top-End Kit (PN PK-PISTG1)
Features: FRPP power-improved heads, PI intake manifold, and head-changing kit; Professional Products upper plenum and 75mm throttle body; and Anderson cam-shafts (AF-N22 naturally aspirated and AF-F42 for forced induction)Recommended: 3.73 or 4.10 gears, Anderson Power Pipe, Velocity mass air meter, and good exhaust

Stage-II PI Top-End Hi-Rev Kit (PN PK-PISTG2)
Features: Same as Stage-I, with Professional Products Typhoon intake manifold and upper plenum, Anderson Hi-Rev camshaft (AF-N42 for naturally aspirated and AF-72 for forced induction) and Hi-Rev valvesprings

Stage-III PI Top-End Hi-Rev Kit (PN PK-PISTG3)
Features: Same as Stage-II, with D.S.S. CNC headsRecommended: 4.10 or 4.30 gears, Anderson Power Pipe, rev-limit extender, headers, and a good exhaust