Aiming For Eights
The team at Evolution Performance's sheer determination and willingness to do whatever it takes are qualities that truly endear us to the small group of 'Stangbangers from Aston, Pennsylvania.
From the outset of this new 5.0 movement ('11-and-up), shop owner Nelson Whitlock and his righthand-man Fred Cook have been on a mission to push the shop's first '11 (a Kona Blue, six-speed manual 'Stang) to the highest performance highs on the dyno and the lowest-possible e.t.'s on the dragstrip.
In its quest for the 8s, Evolution...
In its quest for the 8s, Evolution Performance added a fully built 5.0 engine and one-off supercharger system to its Kona Blue '11 Mustang GT. The motor, built by L&M Race Engines of Hatboro, Pennsylvania, features 5.0-specific Diamond pistons and rock-solid everything else inside, and is built to stand up to more than 25 pounds of serious boost from a ProCharger F-1C.
Making horsepower, applying that power to the pavement, and covering the quarter-mile in record time-while it sounds fairly simple when you read it, getting all of the necessary stars to align for this type of perfection is an endeavor that takes a lot of time, money, and energy to accomplish. Time and time again since receiving its first '11 'Stang-fondly referred to as the Kona car-Evo's Pony has been outfitted with various aftermarket and shop-developed components that have made it quicker and faster. And with every change, Nelson and Fred take the GT to Atco Raceway for real-world results.
A custom water-to-air intercooler...
A custom water-to-air intercooler was installed in the Kona 'Stang to help lower inlet-air temps. At the time of our visit, Evo's Chuck Wrzesniewski was thrashing to install the 'cooler, this 5-gallon tank, a water pump, and the related plumbing for this type of system, all in preparation for the monumental 8-second run.
At the time of our visit, a fully built Coyote from L&M Race Engines and an intercooled Pro-Charger F-1C (yes, the same psychotic race blower that your tech editor installed on his wife's Two-Valve Pony) were the latest additions, and the team was fully focused on getting the car across the quarter-mile in 8 seconds.
While the milestone unfortunately was not reached before the deadline for this report, we're happy to report that Evolution's Kona Pony is right on the edge of getting there. As of this writing, the number stands at 9.11 at 142 mph, and we're confident that the GT will be in the 8s by the time you read this.
The intercooler's inlet and...
The intercooler's inlet and discharge tubing pass through the same driver-side opening in the core support. Short and standard-length 90-degree couplers make this possible without any trimming or modification of the support for tubing clearance.
This bypass valve is affixed...
This bypass valve is affixed to the intercooler's surge pipe and tucks closely alongside the bumper-support bracket on the driver side.
A vacuum tube is placed on...
A vacuum tube is placed on the bypass, and then routed up to a supplied vacuum manifold.
A curved discharge tube sends...
A curved discharge tube sends air from the intercooler to the throttle body. Despite cramped quarters, this perfectly radiused pipe allows air to travel smoothly and does not conflict with the blower pulley, tensioner, fan, or any other OEM components, or those parts that associated with the supercharger system. With this step complete, the front bumper cover and related trim is completely reinstalled.
The addition of boost brings...
The addition of boost brings a need for increased fuel volume. While the GT's factory fuel pump is sufficient for the supercharger's 7-psi boost output, replacing the stock injectors with a supplied set of 52-lb/hr squirters (at left in above photo) is a must. While not mandatory, ProCharger also recommends making a switch to colder-heat-range spark plugs.
Attaching the air-inlet tube...
Attaching the air-inlet tube and conical filter are the final steps for installing the pieces that make up ProCharger's '11 Mustang GT supercharger system. The blower fits under the stock hood, both with and without the strut-tower brace installed. (The brace is available on California Special models and Ponies with the optional 19-inch wheel upgrade). We dig the clean, factory-like look of this setup, and really appreciate the fact that the Coyote engine's signature "5.0" cover snaps right back in place-unmodified.