Lethal Performance GT500 Blog

JLT GT500 Carbon Fiber High Flow Intake- Installation with pictures!

Moving on with the LethalGT500 project car it was time to start removing the restrictive stock intake system. We had already run a 11.90@117 on the stock intake so now it was time to see what the highly regarded and dyno proven JLT Carbon Fiber intake system would do.

http://www.lethalperformance.com/pages-productinfo/product-13214/jlt-cai-gt500-07-jlt-2007-plus-shelby-gt500-carbon-fiber-cold-air-intake-kit.html

So our good friends at JLT were kind enough to donate one of their Carbon Fiber GT500 intakes to us. From all of the kits we’ve sold and all of the amazing feedback we’ve gotten about them we really looked forward to the install. What’s not to be excited about when the JLT intake as when it’s accompanied with a tune has shown gains of up to 80rwhp on the 5.4L beast. That’s an amazing amount of power from just an intake and tune. For those that aren’t familiar with the newer mustangs (2005+) most cold air intakes require a tune as the stock computer is so sensitive to the amount of air the mass air system detects. The JLT GT500 Carbon Fiber Intake in this case will not function properly on the car without a tune. The car simply will not run right and will put itself into failsafe mode.

Onto the install we were prompted by JLT’s instructions that we would need: 5/16″ nut driver, 8mm, 10mm & 13mm sockets and ratchet, #20 Torx driver, and a Phillips head screw driver.

The first thing we did was remove the stock intake system from the car. This was done by using the 8mm socket to loosen the clamp that holds the intake to the throttle body. Then using the 10mm socket we removed the bolt that holds the airbox to the frame. Make sure to disconnect both pcv hoses on each side of the stock intake located close to the throttle body as well as disconnecting the connector at the MAF.

After the stock system was removed from the car we started to assemble the JLT intake per their instrutions making sure to leave all of the hose clamps loose as that will allow you to adjust the intake properly once it’s on the car. Using the #20 Torx bit we loosened the stock MAF meter from the stock MAF housing. Using the supplied screws we then installed the stock MAF sensor onto JLT 110mm MAF housing making sure that the arrow on the meter indicating the path of airflow is aimed at the throttle body. Tighten the screws to a snug fit. Do not tighten the screws to where the ears of the MAF start to bend. That’s overdoing it.

When we finished assembling the JLT Intake we wanted to make a good comparison of it against the stock intake system. With them side by side it was easy to see how the stock system is choked from breathing air due to it’s enclosed box design. The JLT not only looked a lot better with it’s carbon fiber construction but the open filter element was the sure sign of it being able to breath a lot better than what was on the car before.

INSTALLING THE JLT INTAKE:

Remove the strut tower brace by using the 13mm socket.

Take the entire JLT intake assembly and place it into the engine bay where the stock intake used to be .

Then remove the 10mm bolt on the radiator support which holds down the ABS brake bracket. This is where you install the JLT intake support. The support bracket will sit just under the filter holding the intake system in place.

With the hose clamps still loose slide the upper silicone hose connection over the throttle body. Gently squeezing the hose connector made it easy to fit over the oval shape of the throttle body.

We then gently put the strut tower brace back on the vehicle and bolted it down making sure it did not push hard on the intake tube as we didn’t want to damage the carbon fiber.

This next step is very important. Make sure to adjust the intake and upper hose connector at the throttle body so that the bottom of the connector is snug against the throttle body but the top of the connector is angled down off of the stops on the throttle body. This allows the intake to properly clear the strut tower brace. You want to leave anywhere from 1/4″ to 1/2″ clearance between the intake tube and strut tower brace. Due to some variances in how the vehicles were built you may need to use the supplied spacers which will space the strut tower a little higher for better clearance.

Once you’ve gotten the intake in good position clear of the strut tower brace you can start tightening the hose clamps using the 8mm socket. Make sure not to tighten the clamps too tight on the carbon fiber pipe. Snug is good.

Then reconnect the PCV connections on both sides of the intake and the connector on the MAF.

Verify that the intake stayed in place and you still have the appropriate clearance from the strut tower brace.

Remember do not start the vehicle unless it has a custom tune on it. The vehicle will not run properly!

All in all the install was very easy and we have always been impressed with the fit and finish of JLT’s products. The Carbon Fiber looks amazing in the engine bay as well. Once we threw a tune on the car and took it for a ride the difference was noticeable right away. The car had way more pep than before. It reminded me of the first time I put a smaller pulley on my 03 Cobra but in this case the power came simply from replacing the intake with the JLT system. Not only was I able to notice the power increase right away I also noticed the sound of the supercharger become a lot clearer and aggressive sounding. It was like Frankenstein had come alive!! For our project car we really aren’t too concerned about dyno numbers so seeing the actual rear wheel horsepower increase isn’t important to us. We will indeed be dialing the car in with more custom tuning but the real results we get from mods like this will be backed up with track numbers. We’re just another step into building the ultimate Shelby GT500 street car!!

Thanks to Jay and Lisa Tucker of JLT True Cold Air for providing us with such awesome products and amazing service over the last few years! We appreciate all of your support!!