1997 Mustang GT HP/TQ Potential Gains w these mods

Throwing mild off-shelf cams in an otherwise stock 4.6 should still see reasonable gains, but its hard to put a number on it. It may only gain 25hp peak to peak but the gains past peak would be much greater. Just note, when you go past the duration needed to make power with the long runner pi intake, you will start killing midrange power so dont go crazy with cam spec. Id avoid most all bolt ons for these cars minus longtubes, and maybe an electric water pump if you plan on tracking the car a lot. The stock fuel system is fine with this power level, even with a mild cam so no need to jump on fuel mods right away.

According to this guy, basic bolt-ons, long tubes and stage 2 cams with a tune will make 375 crank hp (this seems high).

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ovh2Mx1losg


This guy made 270 rwhp (310 crank hp) with stage 2 cams

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SiNoPjXi6lg


Brenspeed made 290 rwhp (333 crank hp) with this one

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjoBw09jUgI


Sean Hyland has a documented build that uses their cams, Ford SVO ported heads and all the bolt ons with 24lb/hr injectors that makes 345 crank hp.

Average of all these examples puts you at 340 crank hp. From the stock rating of 260 crank hp, this is a good gain. Without forced induction, an increase in displacement (sleeving) or crazy porting/4v head swapping with higher compression ratio you will be reaching max potential with the stock 4.6.

My first mustang experience was in a two year old 96 Cobra. My 15 year old brain thought that 305hp in 1998 was something major. Today, a stock mustang coyote is pushing 480 hp and a V6 is at 310 hp, it can be daunting trying to keep up, so don't! Enjoy the car for what it is and what you get out of it.