No Restrictions

How to install a Granatelli Air Intake System on the 2005-06 Mustang GT

Most enthusiasts know that adding more air into the engine can produce extra horsepower gains. This is one of the reasons why aftermarket Air Intake Systems are very popular. When it comes to improving the airflow of the 2005 and up Mustang GT however, adding more air isn't as simple as it sounds. One of the biggest problems that aftermarket intake manufacturers have faced when designing an intake for this vehicle, is Ford's sensitive Mass Air Flow sensor.

In simple terms, the sensor has a range of airflow that it can measure to help the engine determine if it needs to add or take away fuel. According to JR Granatelli of Granatelli Motor Sports, many Air Intake Systems try to fool the factory sensor by funneling the air through an opening that is the same size as the factory air intake tube. This allows the sensor to read the same amount of air passing around it without throwing up the "Check Engine" light.



The problem is that with this restriction, the air intake isn't flowing to its full potential. "The only way around this," says JR Granatelli, is to also reconfigure the parameters of the sensor itself. The Granatelli Cold Air Induction System not only offers Mustang owners improved airflow from a polished aluminum intake tube and high-flow, non-oiled air filter. It also uses a Granatelli Mass AirFlow Sensor that allows it to read higher volumes of air.

According to Granatelli, this can dramatically improve the performance of the new Mustang. Furthermore, this kit can also be used with a single or dual stage, wet or dry nitrous oxide system that attaches to the intake tube, before the throttle body.

We asked Granatelli to install one of his induction systems onto his 2005 Mustang. The system easily bolts on in a matter of minutes. This intake system was dyno tested with Granatelli's 62mm throttle body and made an additional 40 horsepower and 37.5 lbs.-ft. of torque at the rear wheels.

The factory intake works fine but it can be improved to provide additonal airflow.	Granatelli first unplugged the factory harness from the Mass Air Flow Sensor	Next the intake clamp was removed from the throttle body.
The factory air inlet box is held onto the fender with a couple of bolts. These were easily removed.	Once all of the bolts are removed, the Mustang intake can be taken out of the engine compartment in one piece.	This is what the area on the inner fender looks like after the factory intake and the rubber grommets have been removed.
The Granatelli air intake uses a plastic heat shield that seals to the hood of the Mustang. It easily bolts to the fender using the hardware provided.	In most cases the factory Mass Air Flow sensor is removed from the factory intake and is replaced on the new intake tube. Granatelli however uses his own sensor which is sold separately from the Granatelli Intake	Here is what the intake comes with. A polished alunimum high-flow tube, air dam, and a high-flow filter that does not need to be oiled.
The new Granatelli Mass Air Flow sensor is attached to the Granatelli polished intake tube.	The intake tube with the high-temperature silicone sleeve is attached to the throttle body.	The provided clamps are tightened and the system is almost fully installed.
The remaining piece is the high-flow cone filter that is clamped into place on the intake tube. This filter does not need to be oiled and can be cleaned and reused.	The wiring harness is reattached to the Mass Air Flow Sensor. The vent hoses are also reattached to the new intake tube.	Here is the finished installaton. This intake was attached to Granatelli's 62mm throttle body which we demonstrate how to install in a sepratae article.
This prototype intake tube shows where Granatelli will include fittings to install a single or dual stage, dry or wet nitrous systems. By the time of publication, the intake tubes will have a bung for these nitrous nozzles.