Ford Ponies up Mustang Performance Packages for EcoBoost and V8 Models

Matt Posky
by Matt Posky

Mustang GT and EcoBoost owners can now revel in the pleasures of warranty-compliant performance upgrades from Ford Performance Parts.

The 2.3-liter Ecoboost four-cylinder can now be paired with a cold air intake and engine recalibration that Ford says raises peak horsepower by 25 and bumps torque up by a notably large 70 lb-ft.

The company claims the recalibration drastically improves the EcoBoost’s power curve. Ford says that output beyond 5,500 rpm increases by an average of 75 hp and 64 lb-ft and continues to the 6,600 rpm redline.

Obviously, the 5.0-liter V8 in the Mustang GT gets numerous upgrade options, too, including a 500 rpm engine redline bump and a no-lift-shift capability on manual V8s, allowing shifting without lifting off the throttle. Similar to the EcoBoost upgrade, the first V8 package includes a performance calibration and high-flow air filter, promising peak gains of 13 horsepower and 16 lb-ft of torque.

The second pack throws in a cold air intake with an intake adapter from the GT350, along with a sized-up throttle body. Other goodies include a 87-millimeter throttle body and intake adapter from the Shelby GT350, offering peak gains of 21 horsepower and 24 lb-ft over the stock engine. That brings peak output to 456 hp and 424 lb-ft.

The third performance boost increases the V8’s redline to 7,500 rpm, for an increase of 37 horses and 5 lb-ft.

While Ford didn’t specify if you can stack the V8’s upgrades in their press release, one could make that assumption until Ford says otherwise. All power packages are available for both manual and automatic transmission-equipped Mustangs. Automatic applications include optimized performance shift schedules.

[Image: Ford]

Matt Posky
Matt Posky

A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.

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  • Mikey Mikey on Oct 11, 2016

    Speaking as a very satisfied Eco Boost Mustang owner , the performance is more than adequate for my purposes. Speaking as guy that's bought quite a few used cars. If I see any mod ,factory or otherwise ...I walk away.

  • Detroit-Iron Detroit-Iron on Oct 11, 2016

    I would be interested to know, in a TTAC kind of way, if Bark M did or did not know this was forthcoming. Not saying anything good, bad, or indifferent. I like Fords and he didn't get either Mustang anyway. Maybe since I am jealous of the RS, in a mild case of schadenfreude: if he did not know in advance, was there a pang of regret when the Mustang Performance Package was announced?

  • Lou_BC Lou_BC on Oct 11, 2016

    How does the "no-lift-shift" tune work? Clutch engagement cause a brief cut to engine power to "speed shift"? That sounds like a fun one to explain to the service department..... yes, full power shifts are covered under warranty ;)

  • Cyclesalot Cyclesalot on Oct 13, 2016

    2 days after they announce the EcoBoost PP being available it is still not shown on their website...

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