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2011 Mustang GT - The Assistant ManagerStock '11 GT upgrade From the July, 2012 issue of Muscle Mustangs & Fast Fords By Pete Epple Photography by The Author
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As if the '11-'12 Mustang GTs aren't good enough, FoMoCo released an enhanced version dubbed Boss 302. By now, the specs and capabilities of the Boss are well known in the automotive world, but what separates it from the GT has quickly trickled down, and some of what makes the Boss special is readily available for the Coyote crowd. If you've been on our website (www.musclemustangfastfords.com), you've more than likely seen some of the video productions of our testing and events. The man behind the camera and production is Brad Adler, who is also the owner of this Kona Blue '11 GT. We've already swapped some the stock suspension components for replacements from Steeda, and most recently, tested the SCT Performance iTSX tuning system. This month, Adler's GT is getting some parts from the Boss in an effort to climb the performance ladder. Ford Racing Performance Parts supplied us with the centerpiece of the Boss' engine bay--the intake manifold. In addition, we were also supplied with FRPP's new 90mm throttle body, Boss mid-pipe with side-exit pipes, and FRPP mufflers to enhance the exhaust note. To complete the package, Steeda Autosport sent us one of its cold-air intakes designed for the Boss intake, and its short-throw shifter for the MT-82 six-speed manual transmission. The combination of speed parts was tied together with SCT's iTSX tuner from last month. The installation was handled at HPX Motorsports in Sarasota, Florida, where Chris Holmes made quick work of swapping the intake and exhaust parts. We began by returning the ECU to stock, and making some baseline dyno pulls. In stock trim, Adler's GT laid down 378 rwhp and 370 lb-ft of torque. Once the new parts were installed, it was back to the rollers to see how power and torque would be affected. After some trial and error in the tuning department (the larger throttle body was new to the crew at HPX), the Kona Blue Pony pumped out 430 rwhp and 370 lb-ft of torque for a gain of 60 rwhp at the peak. As impressive as this is, the graph shows the significance of the gains. The Boss intake's short-runner design would lead you to believe that bottom-end torque would suffer, but Adler's GT is up as much as 45 lb-ft of torque below 3,000 rpm. The rpm band is also significantly extended. Where the stock intake manifold began to fall off, the Boss intake carries power to 7,500 rpm. Follow along as we highlight the finer points of the installation.  When Brad Adler pulled into...  When Brad Adler pulled into HPX Motorsports in Sarasota, Florida, his Kona Blue '11 GT was all stock, with the exception of a few suspension components. But we intend to change that!  1 Ford Racing Performance...  1 Ford Racing Performance Parts supplied us with a Boss 302 intake manifold (PN M-9242- M50BR, $795), which is OE on the Boss 302. The Boss intake offers significantly shorter runners than the stock manifold, which generally gives you more power at higher rpm. The stock manifold sports 16-inch runners, while the Boss unit has 9-inch runners.  2 FRPP also supplied us with...  2 FRPP also supplied us with one of its new 90mm billet throttle bodies (PN M-9926-M5090, $689.95), which is a direct bolt-on with a Boss intake. FRPP's new throttle body is 10mm larger than the factory 80mm unit.  3 To complete the intake...  3 To complete the intake system, Steeda Autosport sent us one of its ProFlow cold-air intake systems (PN 555-3162, $389.95), designed for the Boss intake manifold.  4 Chris Holmes, owner of...  4 Chris Holmes, owner of HPX Motorsports, went to work removing the parts that would no longer be used on Adler's GT. The stock cold-air induction, airbox, and sound tube all needed to be removed before the stock intake manifold could come off.  5 After disconnecting the...  5 After disconnecting the fuel lines, injector harness, and vacuum lines, the intake manifold is ready to come off.  6 Holmes swaps the stock...  6 Holmes swaps the stock fuel rails onto the Boss intake before installing the new intake.  7 Next, the FRPP 90mm throttle...  7 Next, the FRPP 90mm throttle body and adapter bolt onto the Boss intake.  8 After bolting the assembly...  8 After bolting the assembly together, Holmes drops the Steeda airbox and MAF housing into place.  9 The ABS plastic tube that...  9 The ABS plastic tube that connects the MAF housing to the throttle body was installed next. Steeda gives you the option of running the factory sound tube or blocking it off. We blocked it off.  10 The finished product is...  10 The finished product is very clean. The taller Boss intake manifold is very aggressive looking in comparison to the stock intake, and it all fits under the stock hood.  11 On the underside, the...  11 On the underside, the exhaust system was as stock as they come.  12 We ditched the stock mid-pipe...  12 We ditched the stock mid-pipe for the factory piece from the Boss 302 (PN M-5220-MB, $895). The mid-pipe is no different other than the side pipes, which add an aggressive exhaust note.  13 FRPP also supplied us...  13 FRPP also supplied us with a set of mufflers (PN M-5230-MGTCA1, $374.95) to replace the stockers.  14a Removing the stock mid-pipe...  14a Removing the stock mid-pipe and installing the Boss version couldn’t be much simpler. They are both factory pieces, so fitment is perfect.  14b They are both factory...  14b They are both factory pieces, so fitment is perfect.  15 After removing the block-off...  15 After removing the block-off plates, Holmes installed the sidepipes.  16a The removal and installation...  16a The removal and installation of the mufflers was just as easy.  16b The hangers on the new...  16b The hangers on the new mufflers may need to be bent slightly to achieve the proper exhaust tip alignment.  17 The large chrome tips...  17 The large chrome tips on the FRPP mufflers fill the exhaust openings nicely, and add a sporty look to the back of the Mustang.  18 Next was the Steeda Tri-Ax...  18 Next was the Steeda Tri-Ax shifter (PN 555-7312, $249.95).  19 With the stock shifter...  19 With the stock shifter next to the Steeda unit, it's easy to see how different the mechanisms are. Much of the stock unit is constructed from stamped steel, while the Steeda shifter is primarily billet aluminum.  20 Steeda also sent us one...  20 Steeda also sent us one of its billet shifter base bushing (PN 555-7090, $79.95). The kit comes with a billet aluminum mount, which replaces the stamped steel stock unit, and two bushings (hard and soft), which allow you to fine-tune the shifter’s feel.  21 With all of the mechanical...  21 With all of the mechanical work complete, Holmes grabbed his computer and went to work changing the calibration for the added components. When we started, Adler's GT laid down 378 rwhp and 370 lb-ft of torque. Once the tuning was complete, power output increased to 430 rwhp and 370 lb-ft of torque. Shortening the intake runners by 7 inches, we expected to see a loss of low-end torque, but after a number of timing, fuel, and cam timing changes, Adler's GT was up by as much as 45 lb-ft of torque below 3,000 rpm. In the higher rpm level is where the Boss intake really shines. The stock intake began to fall off around 6,700 rpm, the Boss intake made 56 rwhp more than stock, and carried it all the way to 7,500 rpm.
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