An O-ring on the intake manifold helps seal a Shelby GT 500's supercharger to its intake. To lubricate the O-ring and help ensure a good adhesion, Saul applies a light smear of engine oil along the base surface of the new blower. | 
FRPP's Shelby GT 500 upgrade blower bolts directly in place without any need for modifying the manifold, or supercharger, etc. Saul recommends tightening each bolt in an inside-out fashion using 30- to 35 lb-ft of torque. Once our new blower is secured, fuel rails and sensors are reinstalled, and injector wiring and vacuum lines are all plugged back in. | 
The EGR tube is loosely installed to allow for adjustments, and then the ESM is resecured, using the original gasket. The upgrade kit includes two new mounting bolts for the ESM (bottom), which are shorter than the stock fasteners by about two inches. |
The replacement bolts must be used to ensure a leak-free connection between the module and supercharger housing. ESM wiring and PCV connections are also made at this time. | 
A light coating of oil should be spread across the throttle-body housing's O-ring before securing it to the new supercharger. It's also important at this time, to make sure the O-ring is properly seated inside its channel. When the throttle-body assembly is in place, reconnect ETC and TPS wiring. | 
With the supercharger installed, we put our focus on the 113mm cold-air-intake system that replaces the test-Shelby's K&N Filtercharger kit. Notice the stock clean-air tube to the left of the new mass air housing (center), and the K&N inlet tube at the right. The stock inlet tube measures 4 5/8 inches and is wide enough to cover the monster-sized opening in the FRPP mass-air housing. There's no way the 4 1/4-inch K&N piece will work, so, find or acquire an OEM tube before starting the project. |
We've covered the installation bases for CAI systems plenty of times. The FRPP setup isn't any different. Once the stock mass-air sensor and PCV valve have been transferred, the air-intake system bolts in place using rubber grommets from the factory airbox and an ABS bracket bolt that are included. The coolant reservoir also can be repositioned in its original home now. | 
There's no doubt the Super Pack's 12-month/12,000-mile factory warranty (when proof that parts are purchased or installed by a Ford, Lincoln or Mercury dealer is provided) is a major "plus" for anyone considering this type of upgrade for their GT 500. But, the warranty isn't the only thing that makes this deal cool. The E.O. number on this sticker confirms the FRPP blower upgrade has been blessed by the California Air Resources Board. Endearingly called the "Smog Nazis" by 'Stangbangers in the Golden State, C.A.R.B. officials scrutinize every aspect of bolt-on, high-performance equipment and thoroughly assess the impact a part will have on the environment, before giving it this hard-to-come-by endorsement. | 
As our test Shelby had been treated to bolt-ons long before its owner had any idea its blower would be upgraded, the 'Stang's PCM had already been flashed with a DiabloSport tune to support the power created by the various enhancements. We used a DiabloSport Predator to restore the stock tune, and then plugged in the Super Pack's Pro-Cal calibration tool, which contains new fuel and timing programming for the engine's increased airflow. The reflash process is simple, and only take a few minutes to complete. |
If it weren't for the Ford Racing badge placed atop new supercharger and the larger mass-air tube, it would be hard to tell that this Shelby's bullet now packs a much-bigger punch than those which haven't yet been treated to a similar upgrade. | | |
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