Mustang GT Intake and TB

[Dwayne Thompson]

I am currently in Iraq making a few dollars. When I go home for some vacation, I plan on getting a 09 STA V8. I would like to make some upgrades to the intake and so forth but I have a question or two.



A salesman at the dealer told me that the 4.6L 3V V8 is the same engine that they put in the Mustang GT's. Knowing that...could I swap out the intake and throttle body from a Mustang GT onto a Sport Trac? I have been looking at K&N filter chargers and I think I can cut apart and fit something to feed the oval TB. But is the intake and TB a direct bolt on replacement? Will the throttle linkage hook up to it? Does it use the same TB position sensor connector? Are there any different vaccum source connections on the intake manifold I need to worry about?



Thanks for you help.



Dwayne

 

[EddieS'04]

The intake and throttle body are different configurations. You will have to get those specific to the '09 Trac 4.6L The only thing the same is the base engine.

 

[TrainTrac]

Looking to spend that tax-free $$$ you're earning, huh?



Dingo is the resident expert on 2007-up ST performance around here, so hopefully he'll chime in soon with some advice. Here's what I know, and if it's wrong, he'll correct it.



As Eddie said, the intake and TB are different. I believe that the Mustang intake is taller than the ST's so it won't fit under the ST hood. There are two K&N Cold Air Intakes that will fit the ST, you just have to look them up under "Explorer". To save some time, here are the part numbers:



63-2573,

or



77-2573KP

As for throttle bodies, get one from our site sponsor Zabteck. Link below. Also, get an XCal 3 from our site sponsor Torrie at www.fastpartsnetwork.com.



If you're interested in any other go-fast/performance stuff, give Dingo a shout, and I'm sure he'll be more than happy to show you many ways to part with that hard-earned tax free combat pay!:banana:



Stay safe over there, and keep us posted!

 

[Dingo]

Actually, OtherAndy, you have it backwards.

The Mustang plenum is shorter. Shorter runners=more hp and less torque. I have a Mustang manifold and it's attached parts at the shop to do this very conversion...



The problem is the fan. Because of the size of the Mustang plenum, it puts the intake elbow directly IN the fan. The fan has an electric clutch that reports back to the PCM, and cannot yet be removed and replaced with an electric fan.



I'm not saying it can't be done, but it's damn sure a great challenge that I haven't figured out yet.

 

[D Potts]

Anybody see this yet:





[Broken External Image]:







Wonder if that would work or if it creates teh same challenges?

 

[Dingo]

The C&L is the same height as the stock Mustang one from what I can tell. I'll try to take some pictures today.

 

[Todd Z]

I still think by making a custom intake bend, shave the fan blades, modify the front of the Tbody, it should fit.....



Todd Z

 

[Dingo]

Here's the stock Mustang manifold:



<img src="http://www.mysporttrac.com/~library/22354/Mustang%20Intake/100_0241%20(Small).JPG">



When looking at the height, keep in mind that it's supposed to be used with the CMC plates, which add to the height, but it's still not enough:



<img src="http://www.mysporttrac.com/~library/22354/Mustang%20Intake/100_0242%20(Small).JPG">



And yes, I have a parts washer. No, I haven't used it on those yet.

 

[Carey Frennier]

Dingo is a slacker. That's why he hasn't figured this out yet!



Dingo,

Do you do any import tuning or modding at all? Like the Subaru WRX?

 

[Todd Z]

I agree, Dingo is just slacking on this.......



Todd Z

 

[Dingo]

Dingo has a lot of actual work to do, and can't spend 12 hours a day on his truck.



Carey, I try to avoid it, but sometimes, I have to.

 

[Todd Z]

How about just moving the Tbody ?? Make a 90 degree adapter and move the TB to the side for the clearance ??



That looks like it will work... Lets go andy, lets do it..





Todd Z

 

[Dingo]

No worky. No room.

 

[TrainTrac]

I figured that I might have it wrong, but at least I knew that fit was the issue!



But, hey, I'm just a Gen 2 Padawan right now... Learning all I can from Master Dingo so that I can apply that knowledge when I eventually get a Gen 2 V8 ST or STA.:banana:

 

[Dwayne Thompson]

Thanks for the input...I think I will stick with the stock intake and TB and just throw the K&N on it.

 

[D Potts]

Idea....Just throwing this out there!?



What about STACKING the Charge motion plates......would that make it tall enough!?



Honestly I think that teh extra TQ teh ST gives is better than switching to the Mustang manifold! In fact I think the ST needs MORE tq in the lower RPM's!

 

[Jeff Jolley]

What is the benefit in changing? Aren't the HP ratings the same on the Mustang as on the Gen2 V8? I like torque over top end HP for daily driving.



Also are the CMCD plates noticably functional on the Gen2?