Shelby GT 500 Blower Upgrade - Factory-Backed Boost
Horse Sense: In this day of our government, environmentalists and others trying to limit the performance of our "performance vehicles," Ford offering a 50-states-approved, bolt-on that can take a Shelby's horses above the 600 mark, and a factory limited warranty that protects a GT 500 against damage it sustains as a result of the part failing, is huge. But, don't for a moment think warranty coverage is limited to just the 'Stang hierarchy. Ford Racing Performance Parts also offers twin-screw supercharger systems for '05-'08 S197s (PN M-6066-M463V and M-6066-M463V7) that bump their Three-Valve flywheel power level to four hundie, and also fall under a protection program that assures enthusiasts it's really OK to put the hammer down!
Here's a challenge to the older members of the 'Stang Nation-those who have been around since the days when making (at a minimum) 275 horsepower put your 5.0-powered GT or LX in the upper echelon of Mustangs that hit the local cruise spot. Tell us the last time Ford Racing Performance Parts (it was called Ford Motorsport back then) offered any engine-specific, horsepower-improving part that could be bolted on a 5.0 or 4.6, that would cover the part or a Mustang with a limited warranty if the part is installed by a Ford, Lincoln or Mercury dealer?
If you're having a difficult time with your answer, you shouldn't. The simple fact of the matter is, while Ford Motorsport/Ford Racing Performance Parts has offered a host of hi-perf goodies for 'Stangs and other Blue Oval vehicles over the years, there has never been any real "coverage" associated with any of its bolt-ons that unleash the beast in stock engines. Enthusiasts who wished to make serious performance upgrades using Ford parts were basically "on their own," at the mercy of sympathetic dealers (or those they might have a hookup with), or willing to go through a logjam of red tape and bureaucracy if they wanted any kind of retribution if those bolt-on parts failed in any way. Well, times finally have changed when it comes to Ford "showing love," in the form of a factory warranty, to those who upgrade their S197 'Stangs with a few specific parts and performance packages in the FRPP catalog.
We've already shined the spotlight on Ford's performance division's Power (FR1: CAI, mufflers and PCM calibration), Drag (FR2: CAI, short-tube headers, 3.73 gears, short-throw shifter and PCM calibration) and Handling (FR3: lowering springs, shocks and struts, anti-roll bar and strut-tower brace) "Packs" in previous reports. Components in each of these upgrade kits are covered by a three-year, 36,000-mile warranty when installed by the dealer on new GT or Shelby GT 500 'Stangs at the time they're sold, or 12 months/12,000 miles if installed after the date of sale, but before the vehicle's Basic warranty period (3/36) ends (for more info on the Ford Racing Limited Warranty Program, go to www.fordracingparts.com).
The latest FRPP package to be blessed with a warranty is the new, Supercharger Upgrade Kit for '07-'08 Shelby GT 500s (PN M-6066-SGT; $5,600), which also is referred to as the Super Pack. While protection period in this kit's (and blowers for Mustang GTs) warranty is limited to only 12 months or 12,000 miles (whichever comes first), it's monumental nonetheless, and we knew we had to check it out and tell you about it, as it's probably the most-powerful, single bolt-on accessory that Ford has ever offered for any Mustang.
A 2.3- Twin Vortices Series supercharger serves as at the heart of this simple new upgrade. The blower system, engineered by Roush Performance exclusively for Ford Racing Performance Parts, is Eaton's newest Roots-style unit, which uses a pair of four-lobe, 160-degree twist rotors as its motivational force, and is capable of blasting enough air into a Shelby's stock 5.4 to help generate more than 100 horsepower at its crankshaft.
The Shelby Super Pack also includes an open-element cold-air-intake system (with K&N filter) and a voucher form which owners must fill out and return to Ford Racing (online registration also is available), in order to receive a Pro-Cal tool loaded with a calibration program that allows a GT 500's PCM to understand there is a lot more air being pumped into the super car's engine than there was when it sported the factory-installed, 2.0, Eaton M122 supercharger. Although the kit is designed as an upgrade for bone-stock Shelbys, they don't all dance to the same tune. So, since there multiple calibrations available, FRPP restricts registration to individual vehicle ID numbers for the GT 500s that receive the upgrade.
We've been diligent about keeping Shelby owners informed on the latest in go-faster products for their cars. A story in our Nov '07 issue ("Top to Bottom," p.124) highlights the impact that the combination of a cold-air system, smaller blower pulley, exhaust upgrade and custom tune has on a stock Shelby GT 500. With just those upgrades, we saw an increase of 129.68 rear-wheel horsepower and 117.90 lb-ft of torque on Jeff Reason's stocker.
While we'd like to be able to say that our inability to find a bone-stock Shelby for this supercharger project was caused by owners' quick reaction to our reports on upgrades (in all honesty, the project came together in a hurry, so we had to go with a readily available GT 500 that already had been modified with the basic bolt-on goodies), we think it's cool that so many of you are going out and improving your high-dollar Mustangs, with parts that make them run harder or look better than they already do in factory trim.
The FRPP Supercharger Upgrade Kit for '07-'08 Shelby GT 500s definitely is the real deal. As "easy bolt-on projects" go, this one fits the profile by all definitions of the phrase, as we were able to get the stock and new superchargers swapped, and our subject Shelby loaded on Extreme Automotive's chassis dyno in about two hours, using a basic assortment of Snap-on mechanic's tools.
Photos, captions and impressive dyno results await you, so read on and learn more about FRPP's breakthrough blower for Shelby GT 500s.
Our supercharger swap was accomplished in no time and we re-attached the test ride to Extreme's Dynapack Evolution 4000 chassis dyno, to see how much power FRPP's Supercharger Upgrade Kit for '07-'08 Shelby GT 500s brings to the rear wheels.
The gains on both the horsepower, torque and boost sides are impressive, considering the system (especially the PCM calibration) is designed for stock Shelby GT 500s and the car we used is equipped with a larger, aftermarket exhaust system.
With tuning, we're quite confident the upgrade TVS 2.3-liter blower on our test Shelby is capable of supporting huge power. For bone stockers, the upgrade is simple and safe, and sure to bring 600 horses to tires and a broad smile to your face, whenever you give those horses a chance to run.
Click here for the GT 500 blower dyno sheet
The factory recommends at least 91-octane fuel for supercharged 5.4s found under the hood of Shelbys and Ford GT super cars. Although the same minimum-octane level is required for the new blower, we added five gallons of VP MS 103 racing fuel for a little added protection against harmful detonation. Remember, our lab rat has been modified with Bassani's huge long-tube headers and exhaust piping, which FRPP's calibration programming does not compensate for, so be prepared to see a fairly lean air/fuel reading (under high-rpm/high-boost loads) from your similarly modified Shelby, until the mixture can be straightened out with 91-octane and more-detailed dyno tuning.

Photo Gallery: Shelby GT 500 Supercharger - FRPP Blower Upgrade - 5.0 Mustang & Super Fords Magazine



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