Performance mods for 4.6??

[GTMustangGirl]

Ok...I just recently bought my 2001 GT and I love it!!! However, I want to make it faster. My fiance has a '90 5.0 LX coupe that is heavily modified but really doesn't know what to do with the 4.6 as far as performance modifications.(He still only loves 5.0's) If anyone out there has some good suggestions please let me know!!!! Thanks!

[blue00gt]

Best mods to start out with would be gears (at least 3.73, preferably 4.10), Steeda underdrive pulleys and timing adjuster, and an h- or x-pipe. These mods should put you in the high-13s without any trouble.

[91LX2Bfast]

Also, if you have a manual, a shifter is a great mod.
Leave in the air silencer too. Removing it always gave a few HP in the 5.0's, but the silencer is a venturi/horn shape in the 4.6 and it actually seems to help airflow (demonstrated by many cases of less Hp and slower times when removed.)

[GTMustangGirl]

In response to not removing the air silencer, we removed mine last week and I haven't had a chance to see if it does have more HP or better times, but I have talked to people who have said that it does help times. Just wondering if anyone else knows the answer whether to kep it on or take it off?

[blue00gt]

The dyno test I saw in MM&FF netted a 2-3 hp loss by removing the intake silencer on a 99+ GT. They were very surprised as this always helped on 5.0s.

[GCMustang]

Originally posted by blue00gt
The dyno test I saw in MM&FF netted a 2-3 hp loss by removing the intake silencer on a 99+ GT. They were very surprised as this always helped on 5.0s.

Just goes to show that Ford actually did their homework on the latest Mustang design. It is the culmination of over twodecades of chassis refinement and a pretty good engine program.

The best ways to gain performance with these cars have already been mentioned.

Gears help move you through the powerband as quickly as possible since the small displacement 4.6L takes a little while to get moving as opposed to the 5.0L cars.

H-Pipe. The stock H-Pipe has 4 catalytic converters and an additional set of resonators to reduce noise. Replace this restriction with your choice of h-pipe/x-pipe with or without cats and you'll see a 10-20rwhp gain.

Pulleys are documented 8-10hp gains. Every hp counts!

Other than those three simple hitters, the big power will only come with a power adder. Even a small, conservative 6psi blower will put you at 350+hp. Enough to really liven up your car and push it to exciting performance levels.

[FrankenStang]

I agree that gears and pulleys should be some of your first mod ... but I also like the k&n air filter and 70mm throttle body.. even though it's not a feel it in your pants upgrade ... it did help mine with throttle response to get to those high rpms..

[GTMustangGirl]

In response to a k&n air filter...we looked at changing it however the factory filter looked to be almost as good as a k&n.....also thanks for all of your help....I am hoping to be able to hop it up so i can beat the 90 lx........however i am worried about the 4.6 holding up......i have heard many horror stories about them and wonder if yall think they can withstand the upgrades in the future.....i love my car and it has the power but if i hear that its not a 5.0 one more time i will scream.......