2001 Ford Mustang GT Icebox Project Part 3

Project Icebox Makes 635 RWHP And 618 Lb-Ft Of Torque With A Blown All-Aluminum Two-Valve.

From the August, 2010 issue of Muscle Mustangs & Fast Fords

By Marc Christ

Photography by Marc Christ, Pete Epple, Vision Haus Photography & Design

Two-Valve technology has come a long way since Ford introduced the modular engine to the Mustang in the '96 GT. Though the aftermarket didn't explode with Two-Valve options at first, many new parts have become available in recent years. Three- and Four-Valve projects tend to be more expensive, steering a whole pack of enthusiasts and a slew of manufacturers to the Two-Valve.

In the June issue, we reintroduced Project Icebox, our resident '01 GT. Veteran readers got a refresher, while newer readers received a crash course on the 8-year-old Two-Valve project car. We also followed along with Blow-By Racing as it assembled an all-aluminum short-block using a Ford Racing Three-Valve block and forged internal components.

Last month, we selected our top-end components, which include a pair of TFS heads, cams, and timing chains; a Ford Racing Performance Parts (FRPP) head changing kit; and Tork Tech's 1900 TVS supercharger kit. With the core components introduced, we headed to Blow-By Racing in Boca Raton, Florida to assemble and install the new powerplant.

Since this combination has never been done before, we knew that we were in for some surprises. We just weren't sure how many, so we tried to be prepared for the worst. Since the underside was quite rusty, we gathered some chassis and suspension components from UPR Products. UPR sent us its chromoly K-member kit (PN 2005-96K-100), which includes the K-member, A-arms, and a coilover kit with Eibach springs, and retails for $699.99. UPR also sent us a pair of its Billet Shark caster/camber plates (PN 2014-94), which retail for $149.99, and its Extreme bumpsteer kit (2009-94-EXT), which sells for $129.99.

We also decided to upgrade the fuel system to handle the targeted 700 rwhp. Since the twin Cobra pumps had trouble keeping up last time around, we called on Fore Precision Works for one of its triple-pump fuel hats (PN 0037-500). It accepts any standard Walbro fuel pump as well as the stock sending unit, and retails for $455. Since we were still using the stock fuel rails, Fore also sent us its billet fuel rails (PN 0053-101; $195) and its new fuel pressure regulator(PN 0085-100; $210). Also required to use the triple-pump hat on an SN-95 or New Edge is the SN-95 upgrade kit (PN 0037-102), which retails for $69.

To supply the new Fore components with fuel, we called Summit Racing Equipment for a set of new FRPP 60-lb/hr injectors and three Walbro GSS342 255-lph fuel pumps. The injectors (PN FMS-M9593LU60) come as a set of eight and retail for $482.39, and the pumps (PN VPN-GSS342) are sold individually and retail for $89.95 each.

With everything needed on hand, we began assembling the engine. Everything went together pretty smoothly until we realized that we were missing a few key components. For starters, it wouldn't be smart to put an old oil pump on a fresh engine, especially when we don't even know what's wrong with the old engine yet. Thankfully for us, the number one Ford parts department in the nation, Delray Motors, is a short 10-minute drive from Blow-By Racing's shop. The staff hooked us up with a new stock oil pump (PN 5L3Z6600AA), which retails for $74.89, and threw in a new stock water pump (PN 5W7Z8501AA), which retails for $132.28. We were also short spark plugs, a rear main seal, oil, an oil filter, and coolant; Chris Jones of Blow-By Racing stepped up and provided the said parts.

Jones and Matt Frith, also of Blow-By Racing, assembled the long-block without any more setbacks. Our next move was to remove the old engine and begin installing the new assembly.