pumping up a '01 GT

Hey,
I have an '01 GT virtually un-modded(just some rims, tires, and flowmasters) and am dying to beef it up so that it can beat an '03 cobra. There is like a 130hp difference between the two and I was just wondering what ways you guys would recommend I close that gap? I have been thinking of throwing in a turbo, some new gears, a better throttle body, etc. Any suggestions? Thanks!

You best bet would be to slap a blower on that baby! You gotta keep up with that eaton somehow on the 03.

If you want to keep up with that Cobra, you're going to HAVE to buy a supercharger on your Stang, either that, or you're going to be blowing so much Nitrous Oxide that you'll need a bottle the size of Texas to keep you going. :D

I don't think you'll need to step-up to the expense of an intercooled supercharger, a regular lower-pressure (7-8 psi) model should do the trick nicely, and put you right around 350-380 HP depending on the tune. If you go with an intercooled model, you can jack the boost up to 10-11 psi safely and be pushing 400-420 HP. That would get the attention of just about anybody.

Keep in mind, that for your supercharger system to really work well, you're also going to need some exhaust work. At least an H-pipe and cat-back muffler setup, and headers wouldn't hurt the situation. Total cost for your project should be in the $4000-$6000 range depending on how much you decide to go with .

Greg

I was thinking of within the next 6 months doing the following upgrades: march pullies, tri-ax shifter, steeda no.18 camshaft, 3.73 gears, SPEC clutch, edelbrock 70mm throttle body, billstein shocks and struts, steeda strut tower brace, and a K&N Generation II FIPK. Later on I am thinking of putting a turbo(less wear on the engine than a blower), headers, intercooler, exhaust system and all that good stuff. But how mcuh do you guys think I'll improve the power in my gt just off of those preliminary upgrades?

The listed parts, depending on size of turbo should put you well over 400hp. But, unlike the cobra motor your 4.6 would be highly stressed and most likely break. Would really recomend replacing the internal parts with heavier duty parts.

Replacing what kind of internal parts? I don't need my engine dying on me this is my daily driver, and when it comes down to it I need the car to work more than I need it to go extremely fast.

crank, pistons, shit like that.

If you're gonna go for the Cobra, you definately want some kind of head work along with the turbo. A guy on OK-Speed.com has 366 rwhp with a blower, though I'm not sure on what he has exactly. Bullitts with LT headers, and all the major bolt ons save a blower do nearly 300 hp if not more! But definately heads and cams, specifically ground for the turbo/supercharger would be great!

Good luck on the 400+ rwhp.

Take a look at the 03 cobra motor compared to the 01. They are now using a cast iron block with forged internals. Its what it takes to make it last with any significant amount of boost.

Yet to be mentioned is the fact that the cobra is DOHC, which is by itself a hell of an improvement to your 4.6, so you allot to catch up to, and then more to beat it.
Something I don't understand and maybe there are several people that can explain this to me, everyone with a cobra or new mustang is mad about the supercharger, and or wants to make their cobra or mustang faster. Just me thinking, but why not just trade in your car for the 03 model? Especially the people with 00-02 models. I am not trying to be a smart ass...Just curious.

I don't trade my '01 GT in for an '02/'03 model becuase I just bought the '01 a couple months ago for $18k drive out having only 3900 miles on it, if I were to trade it in I would be probably end up paying $10k to cover the difference between the two and that is money I do not really have. Not to mention the car is my baby.

awwww.

Well, don't get it near saltwater.

I live in Galveston texas and the bottom of the car is starting to rust. :mad:

slapping a blower and an intercooler on a Gt engine--won't guarantee much. The Gts modular comes with weak rods,pistons, and bearings just like the 99 & 01 Cobra engine. You are looking at a shitload of $$$$ going forged in that engine. Your only saving grace---would be if you know how to do the work yourself. I have to admit though---I'm a little stunned at how misleading the M112 is after seeing the article Muscle Mustangs & Fast Fords did on the stock blower. They put it up vs. a new Kenne Belle Blower made for the 03 and apparently, after about 4,800---the boost trails off tremendously. They put lighter pulleys on it-----and were able to get the M112 to about 14.6lbs of boostup to about 4,800rpm---after that---the blower quickly tailed off---to about 10.2 lbs of boost the rest of the way. Looks like that particular blower was built with a 'hold back' mechansim. After seeing that----I'm no longer confident that car can take an 03 Viper in a sprint----unless the gears are upped to 4:10s. Still a lot of power though----just not as much as it appeared. Maybe the next Cobras will use Lysholm blowers.

I'm not all to familiar with Eatons vs KB, but aren't the Kenne Bells true rotor blowers compared to the Eatons? Different designs and stuff?

thats true---but Eaton does make blowers that sustain the boost---as is typical with the Lysholm screw blower. In this particular application, on the 03, apparently, Ford wanted it held back. Which is bullshit, obviously---Ford doesn't want aftermarket tuners tuning them to put out more power than the Lysholm that will be on the GT40. Thats my best guess on why they probably had the M112 built specifically this way.

just one comment as a ford tech...dont waste your time on the 4.6 sohc..if your thinking of cam mods..dont bother..you will probably do more damage than you think...if i was you i would go for the dohc engine swap..fairly simple to do and slap a blower on that and youll be doing good:smoker2:

A SOHC won't produce nearly as much power potential as a DOHC.

Look at some Vortech V2Q advertisements on MM&FF. Also, talk to some Cobra owners with the DOHC. The potential on tap already is amazing!