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2005 Ford Mustang GT C&L Performane Three Valve Intake Manifold EngineC&L Performance's New Three-Valve Intake Manifold Looks To From the June, 2010 issue of Muscle Mustangs & Fast Fords By Steve Baur
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Rumors of its existence have been going around the Internet since the first prototype went out the door for testing. Over the course of the last three years or so, C&L proprietor Lee Bender has been constantly refining his latest product to make sure it was the absolute best it could be. Finally, the Internet buzz turned into reality, and C&L Performance's first production intake manifold for the Three-Valve Mustang was ready to be flogged on the dyno. "In 2003, we were the first company to develop an upgraded upper intake plenum for the '96-and-up Two-Valve 4.6L Mustang, and that product was a huge success at the time," says C&L Performance's Lee Bender. "Our '05-and-newer products quickly accounted for the highest percentage of our overall sales. This led us to evaluate the factory Three-Valve intake manifold to determine what improvements could be made. Although the factory intake does have a higher flow capacity than the stock cylinder-head intake-flow capacity, it still fell short of the CNC-ported heads that serious enthusiasts were using." While the factory plastic intake manifold saves weight, Bender believed its plastic construction wasn't ideal for high levels of nitrous oxide. Though it looks like a mildly... Though it looks like a mildly modified 4.6L engine, our test subject is quite a bit more. The 302-cube bullet packs a mean 409 rwhp thanks to the added displacement, ported and polished cylinder heads, a pair of hot AFM camshafts, and custom computer programming. "By implementing individual port bosses for a direct-port system, our manifold allows enthusiasts to safely run as much nitrous as they are comfortable with, without fear of backfires, fuel accumulation, or fuel puddling issues," notes Bender. "In our dyno testing, the manifold has shown that clear gains are afforded by the intake manifold on everything from a totally stock engine (11-14 hp) to a fully built engine. The better the heads flow and the higher the engine operating rpm, the greater the potential gains are with the new manifold design. It's a natural for high-boost applications as well." Designing, testing and producing your own intake manifold is no easy feat-in fact it's a major undertaking. "The first flow testing for our original production runner designs (for comparison with the original manifold capacity) took place in May 2007," says Bender. "The manifold has gone through two completely different sets of tooling and two different runner configurations since the original design. The first test we performed... The first test we performed utilized the stock intake manifold and throttle body, and the factory charge motion control valves (CMCV). We then installed the CMCV-delete plates for comparison. Despite the relatively high-horsepower nature of the engine, peak horsepower only increased from 409.08 to 410.96, and for the most part, power was left unchanged throughout the pull. In a couple of areas, gains of 2 to 3 hp were shown. For the average street car, they would not seem to be a cost-efficient horsepower upgrade, but on a max-effort naturally aspirated setup, every single horsepower counts. "The last seven months of the product development cycle was spent optimizing various characteristics of the manifold with valuable help from independent third-party testing. We had to ensure that the manifold's final configuration was flexible enough to support the needs of those with high-rpm engines, while doing all that we could to maintain good overall performance for those who have cars that operate below 6,500 rpm. The first cast samples were created over a year ago, and the first true production samples (with a revised intake port runner) were cast in July 2009. Getting down to specifics, we asked Bender what the main differences are between the C&L intake and the factory plastic piece. "Aside from its aluminum construction, which is a substantially more durable material, it features an individual intake port flow capacity that is roughly 28 to 30 percent greater (on average) than the original intake," notes Bender. "This was accomplished by eliminating the crossover runner design of the factory manifold. By keeping the port entry location for each respective bank of runners away from the other, we were able to maintain the same port shape throughout the entire runner. The stock crossover manifold (due to front-to-rear-port length and spacing) has to convert the runner from a round opening to the oblong shape of the factory port at the cylinder head. The runners are length-tuned to develop a horsepower peak that starts at around 5,000 rpm and extends to at least 7,000 rpm, and even higher if the engine is built to operate above that range. Prior to testing the new C&L... Prior to testing the new C&L intake manifold, we opted to do perform some comparisons using the factory throttle body and charge motion control valve plates, as well as this GT500 throttle body, spacer, and CMCV-delete plates. "The total manifold volume has been increased by 1.1 liters, which gave us the best overall performance at all rpm points during testing. The factory charge-motion-control valve plates are completely eliminated when installing this manifold, and this saves the customer the trouble of having to purchase aftermarket delete plates. "Every major characteristic of the manifold was adjusted and thoroughly tested to ensure we had the best possible configuration. This testing, along with that of third parties using various configurations, added substantial time to the finalization of the product, but it also ensured we had done everything that we could to optimize the product."  After baseline testing with...  After baseline testing with the stock manifold, it was time to begin the removal and replacement procedure, which starts with disconnecting the TPS sensor.  The throttle control harness...  The throttle control harness is next.  The fuel rails are then removed...  The fuel rails are then removed and will be reinstalled on the new intake.  The fuel pressure sensor is...  The fuel pressure sensor is now disconnected.  The factory intake-manifold...  The factory intake-manifold rubber gaskets are reused with the C&L intake.  Now you can unbolt the factory...  Now you can unbolt the factory manifold.  The modular engine family...  The modular engine family certainly benefits from the reusable rubber gaskets, and it makes changing parts quite easy for the enthusiast.  At first glance the intake...  At first glance the intake manifolds look similar, but there is quite a difference in runner design between the two. For your benefit, we weighed the two intake manifolds. The factory composite manifold with the stock CMCV plates and throttle body weighed in at 20 pounds, 11 ounces, and the same manifold/throttle body with the CMCV-delete plates dropped a bit to 19 pounds, 8 ounces. The C&L intake alone weighs in at 32 pounds, 4 ounces; it weighs 35 pounds, 8 ounces with the single-blade throttle body.  As you can see, the C&L manifold...  As you can see, the C&L manifold was designed to eliminate the factory charge motion control plates. In this comparison, the GT500... In this comparison, the GT500 throttle body and adapter plate when installed on the factory intake manifold equipped with CMCV delete plates increased peak power from 410.96 to 414.65, for a gain of 3.7 horsepower-though we saw as much as 6 horsepower at just under 6,600 rpm. Out of curiosity, and because we had the parts, we reinstalled the stock CMCV plates with the GT500 throttle body throttle body, and the engine produced 409.08 and 411.28 hp on back to back pulls, thus showing that they are a restriction once the throttle body has been opened up. In noting the aluminum construction of the C&L intake manifold, we asked Bender why he opted for this material versus the factory plastic composite. "Composite manifolds are ideal for OEM automotive manufacturers, as they offer a very low-cost product when you're creating very high volumes of manifolds," says Bender. "The up-front tooling costs are several times higher than what it costs to develop a mold for an aluminum product, but if the volume is there, the cost savings per unit can more than make up for it over time. "Composite tooling is created from 3D CAD models in software. Once the tooling has been cut, it may be necessary to completely redo it if you need to make a substantial revision or change to the product. This can become very costly, which is why most parts made in this manner are tested as 'rapid prototypes' first, to evaluate and make adjustments until the product is right. Although these prototypes can be made rather quickly, they are quite expensive to create. "We take a very hands-on approach to product design and development. Although 3D modeling is becoming more commonplace within our business, I still prefer to do most things by hand. In the performance aftermarket, the sales volume in most cases simply does not lend itself well to using composites for creating intake manifolds. The up-front tooling costs for aluminum castings may be less, but the time required to make revisions and adjustments is longer than with rapid prototyped parts." Finally, we bolted the C&L... Finally, we bolted the C&L intake manifold on with the GT500 throttle body. Peak power improved to 429 horsepower, and adding a single-blade throttle body improved performance further to 435.90. The C&L piece really flows some air, so the better throttle body is going to be needed to make sure it lives up to its potential. In other areas under the curve, the single-blade was good for as much as 8 to 9 rear-wheel horsepower. For a suitable test subject, we turned to Hurricane Performance in Orange Park, Florida, which offered up the company's '05 Mustang GT shop vehicle. The Mustang in question is currently at the pinnacle of 4.6L Three-Valve performance with its naturally aspirated 400-plus-rwhp status, and we thought the C&L intake manifold would give it a sizeable kick in the pants over the factory intake manifold. The Mustang features an Al Papitto-built (Boss 330 Racing) 302ci bullet based on a Ford Racing Performance Parts Boss 302 block. Kris Starnes ported and polished the stock heads, and a pair of Anderson Ford Motorsport prototype camshafts moves the air and fuel through the engine. Installation of the C&L intake is fairly simple. The only real change between it and the stocker is the length of the bolts that are used. Because C&L has eliminated the charge motion control valves (CMCV) from the intake tract, it uses slightly shorter bolts, which are provided. Total installation time was easily under an hour, and rather than just offering you a simple before and after test, we took the opportunity to run a few tests with different throttle bodies on both the stock and the C&L intake manifold. C&L also opted to remove the... C&L also opted to remove the center divider that the factory manifold incorporates. It also requires it's own unique gasket for the throttle body. With a stock intake manifold, stock throttle body, and the factory charge motion control valves in place, the 5.0L laid down 409.08 rwhp, followed by 410.96 with the CMCV-delete plates. Next we installed a production GT500 throttle body and adapter plate, leaving the CMCV-delete plates on. Peak power increased from 410.96 to 414.65 for a gain of 3.7 hp-though we saw as much as 6 hp at just under 6,600 rpm. Out of curiosity, we reinstalled the stock CMCV plates, and power output decreased to 409.08 and 411.28 on back-to-back pulls. Once the throttle body has been opened up, they do become a restriction. Next it was the C&L intake manifold's turn, and equipped with the GT500 throttle body, peak power improved to 429 hp. Bender told us that a single-blade throttle body wouldn't disappoint, and it didn't as it increased power output to 435.90. The C&L piece really flows some air, so the better throttle body is needed to make sure it lives up to its potential. While the single was worth some 7 hp at peak power, in other areas under the curve, it was good for as much as 8-9 rwhp. In case you're addicted to... In case you're addicted to nitrous oxide, C&L incorporated these bosses so you can plumb a direct-port nitrous oxide system. Old drag racing habits die hard, so for the next dyno pull, we gave the engine a 45-minute cool down and iced the intake manifold for about 30 minutes. Horsepower increased from 435.90 to 442.58 at peak, and was up everywhere along the curve as well. In the end, peak power went from 409.08 to 435.90 hp. The biggest improvement, however, was achieved at 6,875 rpm, where power went from 399.13 to 440.73, a gain of 41.6 hp. Since this test, C&L, Hurricane Performance, and TunersInc have swapped out the single-blade throttle body for the Ford Racing Performance Parts twin-bore Cobra Jet throttle body, and horsepower was within one single horse. What's more important is that driveability is much improved, and little to no tuning is required for it. C&L is now recommending the CJ throttle body for all of its manifold buyers. Since the C&L intake does... Since the C&L intake does away with the factory CMCV plates, it requires a different length intake manifold bolt, which comes with the intake when you buy it. Further cementing the C&L intake manifold's impressive gains is the fact that NMRA Real Street competitor Tim Matherly will be running the intake manifold this year on his new Three-Valve combination, and S.D. Wheeler will be using one as well on his NMRA Super Stang entry as well. We expect to see even more out there now, considering C&L says it has sold its entire first run of manifolds already.  To fit the new intake on the...  To fit the new intake on the car, you'll need to slightly bend the alternator bracket for clearance.  Clearance between the bottom...  Clearance between the bottom of the intake and the alternator case was too tight for our liking, so we milled the case just a bit. C&L tells us this has already been resolved on future production pieces.  From left to right, you have...  From left to right, you have the Whipple single blade throttle body, the Shelby GT500 throttle body, and the factory throttle body. The GT500 and single-blade both improved power output.  With the intake bolted down,...  With the intake bolted down, you can replace the fuel rails and injectors. C&L took great care in making sure that the injector holes were just the right size, as they tell us that Ford uses a slightly different O-ring than on previous engines.  Despite the weight increase,...  Despite the weight increase, the aluminum does offer the benefit of heat reduction through the use of ice. This old trick worked just like it always has.  Going for broke, we gave the...  Going for broke, we gave the engine a 45-minute cool down and iced the intake manifold for about 30 minutes as well. In a drag situation, there's definitely power to be had using these methods. Power was up everywhere across the powerband.  Here we compare the factory...  Here we compare the factory intake manifold with stock throttle body versus the final C&L intake manifold with the single-blade throttle body, which had the benefit of a cool-down period with ice on the intake manifold for 30 minutes. Peak numbers went from 409.08 all the way up to 442.58 hp. The biggest gain, however, was achieved at 6,875 rpm, where power went from 399.13 to 440.73, a gain of 41.6 hp. The best "full hot" pull (without the aid of a cool down) delivered a still-impressive 435.9 peak horsepower reading. On this heavily modified Three-Valve engine, the C&L intake manifold proved to be a potent performer, without giving up much at the bottom end. With the car built for drag racing, it's optimized to benefit from the improvements made here as well.
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