Justin Starkey of VMP Performance has recently unveiled a superb-looking supercharger package for the 2024 model year Ford Mustang. Rather than deleting a throttle body, the Florida-based tuner preferred to retain the dual inlets of the stock car.
As you're well aware, both the GT and more powerful Dark Horse rock 80-millimeter throttle bodies. The previous generation of the Mustang uses a single 80-millimeter throttle body in the GT, 87 in the Mach 1 and Shelby GT350, and 92 in the Shelby GT500.
Located between the filter and intake manifold, the throttle body regulates how much air enters the engine based on throttle pedal input from the driver. More air combined with more fuel results in more power, hence the Dark Horse's 500-horsepower estimate at the crankshaft. By comparison, the Mach 1 before it belts out either 480 or 470 horsepower.
Why did the GT and Mach 1 lose 10 ponies for the 2022 model year? As it happens, the Dearborn-based automaker was forced to decrease both power and torque (by 10 pound-feet over the 2021 model year) due to LEV III regulatory emission requirements.
The switch from single to dual throttle bodies also means that Ford refers to the 5.0-liter Coyote in the 2024 model year Mustang as the fourth generation of said engine. Unleashed in September 2023, the gen four also sweetens the deal with redesigned cam towers, caps, and rear block cover. The F-150 pickup truck hasn't received the updated Coyote thus far.
Photo: VMPPerformance on YouTube
Turning our attention back to the supercharging kit, Justin says that plenty more things need to be addressed before any proper numbers are published on their website. Pictured under the hood of a GT rather than a Dark Horse, said blower features Magnuson branding, which means that we're dealing with a Roots-type blower from Eaton's TVS line.
VMP Performance is much obliged to sell you a supercharging kit for the gen three at $6,999.99 including a 3.5-inch pulley. The supercharger in question is a 2650, meaning 2.65 liters. Given the dual setup of this latest version, there's no denying the new kit will crack seven grand (sans shipping).
Although the hardware concept is coming together nicely, tuning remains a challenge. HP Tuners and SCT Flash will eventually make it happen. Similar to GM's engine control unit for the C8, the 2024 model year Ford Mustang features heavy encryption. As if that wasn't bad enough for the aftermarket, the FNV electrical architecture of the S650 Mustang also blocks the vehicle from being tuned. Put simply, FNV will shut down a component or the vehicle as a whole in case of software tampering.
On the bright side, Ford's closest aftermarket partners have access. Think Shelby American, Roush, and Saleen. Hennessey unbridled the Dark Horse H850 on July 18 with 850 horsepower to its name, yet didn't say whether it received Dearborn's blessing or not.
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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