What items do I need to purchase on my own to complete a Terminator GT Kit?
This question is likely our most commonly asked question we receive from our customers as the Intercooled Terminator GT kit is our most popular kits by far. One concern we also wish to discuss is the availability of these items. Customers often ask us where to I find these items, how much will they cost and how do I know I'm buying the correct item that will work on my car. These are all excellent questions and we have developed this detailed page in order to make you feel comfortable purchasing a Tork Tech Terminator GT kit.
As the name of this product implies, you are going to be using numerous components from the '03/04 Mustang Cobra, which was affectionately named "The Terminator". Our partial supercharger kit solves the two most difficult tasks of using components from the upgraded Cobra model, which is our high flow cast aluminum lower intake allows you to mount a '03/04 Cobra/Eaton supercharger on to your 2-valve 4.6L engine with the PI cylinder heads and it also sets up a separate drive belt system in order to be able to drive the supercharger.
Let's briefly look at the items that the kit includes prior to itemizing the components that need to be purchased. The Intercooled Terminator GT Kit includes:
As the name of this product implies, you are going to be using numerous components from the '03/04 Mustang Cobra, which was affectionately named "The Terminator". Our partial supercharger kit solves the two most difficult tasks of using components from the upgraded Cobra model, which is our high flow cast aluminum lower intake allows you to mount a '03/04 Cobra/Eaton supercharger on to your 2-valve 4.6L engine with the PI cylinder heads and it also sets up a separate drive belt system in order to be able to drive the supercharger.
Let's briefly look at the items that the kit includes prior to itemizing the components that need to be purchased. The Intercooled Terminator GT Kit includes:
- A cast aluminum lower intake designed to fit the PI type cylinder heads.
- On top of this lower intake there is a gasket and then a water jetted 6061 T6 aluminum top plate that a customer provided '03/04 Cobra/Eaton supercharger is attached to.
- Our drive system includes an aluminum cross brace that includes a new belt tensioner with an 8-rib pulley for the new supercharger belt and several other idler pulleys. Your alternator gets moved to the drivers side and is also attached to this new cross brace. Your power steering fluid tank also gets attached to this cross brace.
- A 7 inch diameter piggyback style crank pulley that will attach to your Romeo engine style pulley dampener.
- A new thermostat housing that replaces your existing one.
- A set of three new polyurethane engine coolant hoses that go from the new Tstat housing to the front of the new lower intake.
- A highly efficient intercooler that will reside inside of the lower intake. This includes another water jetted 6061 T6 aluminum plate that mates the intercooler to the bottom of the customer provided '03/04 Cobra/Eaton supercharger. New inlet and outlet tubes for the intercooler are also provided.
- A complete bolt and hardware kit is provided. The exterior hardware is primarily stainless steel for durability and to look visually pleasing.
Here is a picture of contents of the Intercooled Terminator GT kit. Note: A belt is NOT included as the belt length will vary depending upon what size pulleys you choose.
Now that we have reviewed what is included in with your kit let's start with the items you will need to purchase in order to complete an Intercooled Terminator GT Kit.
- Most customer view the purchase of the supercharger as the "major" item they need to buy, and we agree. You will need a M112 supercharger assembly that originally was installed on a 2003 or 2004 Mustang Cobra. We recommend a stock factory Cobra/Eaton supercharger for those customers with stock rods and pistons wanting to make approx. 400 RWHP safely. For those customers with "built" engines wanting more power we suggest a ported Cobra blower, which is capable up to the 500 RWHP range, or any aftermarket superchargers that were originally intended for use on a '03/04 Cobra. This can include offerings from Whipple, Kenny Bell, or the excellent VMP 2300 TVS supercharger. We have customers making far in excess of 600 RWHP with these more efficient aftermarket superchargers. A factory Cobra/Eaton is pictured below and shows there are several items that need to be included in the SC assembly you purchase. We recommend you purchase an assembly just as shown here. It will include the case and nose assembly with a pulley, a side inlet plenum and throttle body (Note: Drive-By-Wire applications can use the '07-12 GT500 throttle body with a minor modification), and must include the supercharger bypass valve. A target price for this assembly is $400-750. Buy one with as low of mileage as you can find but these blowers can be rebuilt with a new bearing/seal kit inexpensively. For customers who have their original pistons and rods we do recommend going with the stock Cobra upper pulley to keep boost levels lower. NOTE: DO NOT buy a M112 from a Lightning. This does not work with our kit.
- A new gasket below the supercharger is needed. Buy the factory Cobra gasket #2R3Z-9H486-AA at any Ford dealer for $20-25.
- When going with a new oval throttle body you will no longer be able to use your inlet tube between the throttle body and mass air meter. We recommend a new 90 mm Lightning mass air meter. A new inlet tube between your new MAFS and oval Tbody is also needed. There are many Cobra intake kits out there that will work with this combination and thankfully there are many used ones too at low prices. You will likely need a 90mm Flange adapter, several band clamps and a new conical air filter. Target pricing for the inlet tube is $50-125. The 90mm MAFS can be found new for $75-100 and the flange adapters are approx. $25-35. A new quality filter with a 4" clamping diameter is $50-60. I never recommend the cheap chinese filters you find on Ebay. If you do some careful shopping you can find a good used complete inlet setup or used components for $100-150. As you can see from the several examples shown below there is no "one way" that you can complete your own intake setup.
- Upgrading your fuel system is absolutely necessary with any supercharger kit. Many people use the 39# Cobra injectors but we don't recommend them as they have a unique spray pattern for use on a 4-valve engine. A preferred minimum size would be a 42# injector but you should size your injectors based upon the amount of power you are planning. At the 400 RWHP or less level the 42# injectors are fine. Target pricing for a set of used 42s is $200 or less. Tork Tech can provide new injectors at very competitive prices.
- A larger volume in tank fuel pump is also absolutely necessary. A minimum size pump at the 400 RWHP level should be a 255 lph. In this size be sure to purchase a Walbro GSS340 pump, not a chinese knock off from Ebay. We do recommend new pumps vs. a used one unless you know the history of the used one you are considering. Target pricing for a new 255 is approx. $100-135. Tork Tech can provide new pumps at very competitive prices. Again, at higher power levels you will need to up size the flow rating as needed per your power goals.
- A Romeo style pulley dampener must be used with this kit. If you have a Windsor style engine then you will need to purchase a Romeo style Ford or original equipment style aftermarket pulley dampener. Tork Tech can provide this for you or we can also provide you one with a machined surface where your new piggy-back style crank pulley will mount so it is GUARANTEED to not have any runout (wobble).
- Our kit comes with an intercooler, which resides directly under the supercharger, but you will need several other items to complete your intercooler system. The main item is the heat exchanger which will reside behind your grill. The factory Cobra H.E. will work fine at the 400-450 RWHP level. Target pricing on these is $50-100 for a used one. There are numerous aftermarket ones that claim better efficiency for $300+ but unless you are making over 500 HP you do not need them. Depending upon which heat exchanger you purchase you may have to purchase or fabricate its mounting points. You will need an IC Fluid Pump and we recommend the Bosch #0392022002 and a wiring connector for the pump. Target pricing for these is $100-150 brand new. Tork Tech can provide new pumps at very competitive prices. You will also need a intercooler fluid tank and cap in order to add fluid to the system. An original used Cobra unit works fine and target pricing is $50-100. Lastly, you will need several feet of 3/4" coolant hose along with some band clamps. Overall length should be calculated by the installer as length can vary depending upon where individual components are located. Purchase this from your local auto parts store.
- An 8-rib supercharger drive belt will need to be purchased. Length will vary depending upon what pulley sizes you go with. Most customers with stock engines should use a factory Cobra pulley to keep boost levels appropriate for power below 400 RWHP and customers have shared they use a Gates K080550 belt and it works well with the stock pulley. For those running more boost with a 3.1" or 2.9" upper pulley customers have shared that a K080545 belt works with these sizes. What ever size you use we recommend a quality Gates brand belt. Target pricing is $30-40
- Our kit design includes a separate belt drive for the supercharger so we move the blower forward to clear the accessory belt. This gives numerous benefits but one drawback...the stock hood does not clear the nose of the supercharger. Large oversize hood scoops are available in the aftermarket or virtually any aftermarket hood with a 1" or more raise will clear our kit. This includes the factory '03/04 Cobra hood, Cobra R type hoods, or equivalent design will also provide proper clearance. Pricing will vary but scoops are out there for around $100. Used hoods can be had for less than $300 and new hoods can go upwards of $500. There are many economical options to solve this clearance issue.
- A new throttle cable is needed to mate with the new throttle body. Use a FoMoCo #2R3Z-9A758-AA cable and target pricing is approx. $60-70. (NOTE: Crown Vic/GMQ applications can use their stock throttle cable)
- A new Inlet Air Temperature Sensor (or IAT) is needed in order to sense the temperature within the lower intake. Use Motorcraft #DY-1159 for approx. $20-30
- Lastly, you will need some method to download a new performance computer tune to your vehicle. You can go with a piggyback style chip or a hand held tuner. We recommend using SCT software/hardware and visit a local chassis dyno where you can safely have a expert tuner create a custom performance tune for your vehicle that is safe to use under wide open throttle. Air/Fuel rations at WOT should be less than 11.8:1 to be safe on the street. Used chips or hand held units are widely available but you need to be sure they are not electronically locked out as you will need to have a new tune installed on them. Pricing for these vary as does dyno time so consult with your local tuning shop for pricing.
One last subject we need to discuss is where does one find these items. The answer is likely in a variety of places and everyones experience may likely differ. Obvious sources such as websites like Craigslist.org or Ebay.com offer worldwide market place shopping and should definitely be on your list. There are websites that allow nationwide searching of all the local Craigslist locations. Try SearchTempest.com to search C.L. nationwide.
Local swap meets are not as popular as they once were due to the Internet but these are always a fun option for parts shopping. If you are a member of a local Mustang or Ford enthusiast club you should email everyone and tell them about your project you have ongoing. You may be surprised that a member who owns a Terminator Cobra has many of the items you will need. Another obvious place to shop for these items are the numerous Mustang enthusiast buy/sell forums on the Internet. All of these items pop up for sale routinely.
Well, that is a very detailed look at what you will need to purchase in order to complete a Tork Tech Terminator GT Kit. We assure you that finding these items should not be difficult and can be a fun part of your performance project. If you have any questions about any of these items or are having a hard time finding any of these items we welcome you to call our Sales telephone line at 513-697-0060. Our Sales staff will be glad to review any Internet search with you to verify you are about to purchase the correct item and that you are getting a good deal on it too. We welcome you to LIKE our Facebook page "Tork Tech Superchargers" and you should also join "Tork Tech 2V Mustangs" as this is a very active site where not only Mustang owners share project details and installation advise. Our Crown Vic/GMQ/Town Car/Truck business has exploded and this is also the place where these owners help each other out and also it is becoming an excellent source for parts too.
