2013 Mustang GT500 Drag and Dyno - To The 9s

Fortunately, the 5.8 uses the same throttle body as the outgoing 5.4, so a throttle body swap is as simple as adding Ford Racing's twin 65mm unit (PN M-9926-CJ65; $649). Taken right from the Cobra Jet program, this billet beauty opens up each throttle bore by 5mm over the stock twin-60mm unit. That extra 10mm of flow delivered impressive gains at the back tires.

Evolution worked closely with ATI Performance Products to develop a 15-percent-overdriven Super Damper for the Trinity 5.8. Not only does this unit provide SFI certification for the racetrack, but it increases boost by 15 percent without reducing belt wrap on the supercharger pulley.

After removing the fan and popping off the belts, Chuck and Steve remove the stock crank damper with a three-jaw puller.

Of course, things get a bit cozy when you increase the size of the crank damper. As is typical practice on modern modular engines, it is necessary to clearance the crank-sensor mount. With the sensor removed, Chuck and Steve remove about half of the mount to make room for the Super Damper.

Here's the Super Damper installed. Don't be fooled by the belt, which isn't tightened in this photo. There is plenty of clearance between the damper and the trimmed mount.

When you increase lower pulley size and start powershifting at the track, the cast factory belt tensioner can take a beating and fail. To head that off at the pass, Chuck and Steve installed a Thump Racing (www.thumpracing.com) billet-aluminum belt tensioner (PN PM-1005-GT500; $395) while reinstalling the belts.