We admit the number of stories on these pages highlighting cold-air-induction systems, larger throttle bodies, exhaust pieces, and PCM calibrations may number somewhere close to the thousands at this point. However, the basic bolt-on report you're about to read is a first.
We take a bone-stock V-8 Mustang from each of the popular late-model platforms and pit them against one another in a test to see which is the most receptive to entry-level upgrades. You might wonder why? That question is best answered by Editor Turner.
"While reading one of KJ's Coyote bolt-on stories, I began to wonder how the average gains of the latest Mustangs stacked up to the gains on earlier Ponies," Steve says. "By testing the same bolt-on parts on each generation that we cover--on the same dyno--not only do we see how far power has come in the last 33 years, but it also reveals that Mustangs of all eras still respond to the basic, affordable bolt-ons."
To pull this deal off, we turned to our friends at GTR High Performance in Rancho Cucamonga, California, for assistance locating suitable participants, and their time, expertise, and Dynojet chassis dyno.
While you'll find a complete...
While you'll find a complete breakdown of the parts we tested elsewhere in this article, we have to give props and sincere thanks to all of the aftermarket companies that participated. Improving induction and exhaust is the essence of most entry-level bolt-ons. For our study of the products' collective worth, selection was based on availability of parts. This means a piece that can be purchased for a Fox has to be available (from the same company) for an S197, and so on.
You'll note that underdrive...
You'll note that underdrive pulleys are not included. No, we didn't forget--they certainly do qualify as basic-- they're just not available on '11-'13 Ponies. And, for those of you wondering why BBK Performance's pieces weren't exclusively used? We acknowledge that BBK Performance makes 99.99 percent of the products (CAI, throttle body, exhaust systems) for each Pony in our study, but we felt mixing things up would present more real-world packages.
GTR's Eddie Zapata (left)...
GTR's Eddie Zapata (left) and co-owner Ricardo Topete handled all of the loading, testing, and unloading of Mustangs on the chassis dyno during this marathon. We made more than 100 total pulls on GTR's Dynojet over the course of three days. Whew!
Using similar stock Mustangs--all with manual transmissions--is just as crucial. In referring to our test Mustangs as bone-stock, we're saying their engines are not modified in any way (an exception was made for the '91 LX's distributor cap and wires). As you'll see, some of the cars do have upgraded suspensions or cosmetic changes. Concessions also were made for such mods, as they don't in any way affect the performance-increase percentages that are our focus.
Yes, our research is headlined as a bolt-on battle on the cover of this issue. However, it's important that you understand we are not comparing similar products that are produced by different aftermarket companies. We also aren't providing you with detailed installation insights or emphasizing the effects of the tested parts on an individual basis. To the contrary, the results of this unique venture will show you the differences in their collective impact on power and torque for each engine platform.
Everyone we told about this project thinks it's a cool concept, and quite frankly, we find it hard to argue with them. Read on and see what our tests revealed. While Coyote is as hot as fish grease now, Mustang engines that precede the newest 5.0 are still solid bang-for-the-buck players in their own rights.
Horse Sense: If we had a buck for every time we've heard "What's the best Mustang engine to modify?" and "Which engine makes the most power with basic bolt-ons?" It's a pretty good bet that we would be able to front a Mega Millons winner a sizable loan.
Oil levels were checked on...
Oil levels were checked on each Mustang before it was run on the dyno (baseline and after parts were installed).
Maintaining consistent air...
Maintaining consistent air pressure (manufacturer's recommended) in the rear tires is critical for accurate performance data. After each Mustang is loaded on the Dynojet, Ricardo verifies air pressure is 32-33 psi and adjusts it accordingly.
Although all of the parts...
Although all of the parts we're using are technically no-tune-required bolt-ons, such groups are typically optimized by making timing, fuel, and other changes in a Mustang's PCM. SCT's hand-held programmer is used for the OBD-II processors that are standard in '96-up Ponies. EEC-IV (OBD I) computers in Fox Mustangs are similarly manipulated with SCT multi-program switch chips, which connect directly into the PCM. For all of our dyno work--non-tuning and tuning--the Mustangs were filled with 91-octane pump fuel. (That's the best pump gas Cali has to offer.--Ed.)
Although all of the parts...
Although all of the parts we're using are technically no-tune-required bolt-ons, such groups are typically optimized by making timing, fuel, and other changes in a Mustang's PCM. SCT's hand-held programmer is used for the OBD-II processors that are standard in '96-up Ponies. EEC-IV (OBD I) computers in Fox Mustangs are similarly manipulated with SCT multi-program switch chips, which connect directly into the PCM. For all of our dyno work--non-tuning and tuning--the Mustangs were filled with 91-octane pump fuel. (That's the best pump gas Cali has to offer.--Ed.)
With an intent to keep all...
With an intent to keep all controllable variables--such as engine temperature--consistent for each test, Ricardo uses a fan to dissipate heat between dyno runs. It was interesting to see the differences in how all of the engines performed with the same base coolant temp of 190 degrees.
SCT tuning for the New Edge,...
SCT tuning for the New Edge, S197, and Coyote Mustangs was done by way of email between Ricardo and our friend Chris Jones of Blow-By Racing in Margate, Florida. Chris has a large database of calibrations that optimize the performance of each engine when equipped with the same upgrades we're testing. Ricardo's initial email typically includes the strategy code and serial number of the SCT handheld flash tuner, as well as the mods that have been made on the Mustang being tuned.