Be sure to drain the coolant into a clean pan so you can use it to refill the new tank (PN 63768). Between the size differences and the bit of lost coolant, you need to top off the tank with a 50/50 mix of coolant and water. While filling up the system, I added Royal Purple's Purple Ice, just as we did with the intercooler system. According to RP, Purple Ice "reduces engine heat by reducing the surface tension of the radiator fluids for improved heat transfer."
As you can see, our pal Allen Colding painted the Moroso tanks Vapor Silver to match the outside of PVT. The bare aluminum tanks are works of welding art out of the box, but matching paint gives them that custom touch. Besides the beautiful welded fittings, another nice feature of the Moroso coolant tank is that it accepts the stock, screw-on radiator cap. Of course, stock doesn't cut it for PVT, so we again turned to MGW Limited for one of the company's snake-logo'd, triple-chrome caps ($39). MGW gear is top notch, and its rad cap is a full cap, not just a chrome cover.
While the Moroso power steering reservoir (PN 63491) bolts right in place of the stock unit, it's a bit larger, so it can be tricky to reinstall the hoses without making a mess. Like the coolant tank, I siphoned out the power steering fluid; then used a towel under the hoses to capture any lost fluid. With the new tank installed, I took the opportunity to fill up the system with synthetic fluid.
The last piece of MGW chrome snake action is the new dipstick handle ($28). This thing really improves upon the plastic, yellow stocker, and it's an easy install. Just trim the stock handle with wire cutters, slide the MGW handle on, and clamp it down with an Allen screw.
While the stock battery is centrally located rather than hanging over the front of the car as it did in pre-S197 'Stangs, it's still just a plain black battery and not really up for more than starting the car. To improve the looks and prep for a more demanding audio system in the future, a natural upgrade is an Optima Red Top, which provides 800 cold-cranking amps and is more resistant to damage from heat and vibration than a traditional battery. In Florida, the heat can really shorten a battery's lifespan.
If you've been reading 5.0&SF for any time, you know I have a thing for carbon-fiber, so the minute I laid eyes on JLT Performance's carbon pieces, they went right on the list. In fact, if I hadn't already added the FRPP CAI included with the SuperPack, I'd be all over the JLT CAI as well. Anyway, JLT's radiator cover and fuse box covers are easy to install.
If there's one area of the S197 engine compartment that stands out like a sore thumb, it's the unsightly strut nuts. Fortunately, Steeda has a nifty dress-up solution that carries the look of its blower pulleys to the strut towers.