Dressing up the Mustang’s engine these days isn’t as easy as it used to be. Back in the pushrod days, it was a simple matter of a pair of chrome valve covers and matching air cleaner and maybe a braided hose covering kit (wow, that was an ’80s flashback I’m trying to get out of my head). However, with the modern modular engine under the hood of late-model Mustangs, things aren’t quite that simple. Some of the most difficult engine bays of recent memory to make look good include the ’96-’04 4.6L Two-Valve, especially the first-gen setup with coil packs and plug wires criss-crossing everywhere. Sure, there’s some billet doo-dads here and there you can install, and we’ve seen some really creative people reroute the myriad of vacuum hoses and wiring harnesses, but generally you’re in for some hair pulling with these modulars.
All that changed when the ’05 Mustang launched. Whether it was the retro styling or the new Three-Valve modular and its increased output to 300 horsepower, the S-197 Mustang became a sales success. Due to those big sales numbers, the S-197 Mustang has become an “accessory darling” that hundreds of companies have made dress up, performance, and styling parts for. Now it’s easy to dress up the ’05-’10 S-197 Mustang engine bay with easy-to-install beauty covers that enhance the engine’s looks. Even Ford got into the act by adding its own intake cover starting with the ’07 Mustang GT.
The folks at California Pony Cars, who have been providing classic restoration parts for decades, have been stylizing the S-197 Mustang since the ’05 hit the showroom floor. Their intake plenum cover was just released and we couldn’t wait to install one. We also added CPC’s fuel rail covers and throttle body extension for the total package. Check out the install, which took us less than 30 minutes, in the photos.
1 Except for the K&N cold...
1 Except for the K&N cold air induction kit, this ’05 Mustang’s engine bay is stone stock and in need of some serious beautification.
2 Starting with the fuel...
2 Starting with the fuel rail covers (PN ENG-058-547, $239), the stainless steel mounting brackets are placed on the engine first. The brackets use the threaded studs on the cam covers for positioning. Pull the wiring harness off of the studs, slip the bracket on, and then reinstall the wiring harness retainers over the studs. The passenger-side engine wiring harness will need to be repositioned over the bracket, as shown.
3 The driver-side fuel rail...
3 The driver-side fuel rail cover bracket is installed in the same manner; however, you will have the fuel and vapor line to deal with on this side. Temporarily removing the PCV valve hose from the front of the cam cover might help provide the room you need to slide the bracket into place. If you’re still rocking the stock airbox, you’ll be better off removing it for improved access.
4 Back on the passenger side,...
4 Back on the passenger side, the wiring harness attached to the fuel rail bolts and the alternator support bracket needs to be pulled free and relocated down closer to the fuel injectors for clearance of the fuel rail cover you’re about to install.
5 The fuel rail covers come...
5 The fuel rail covers come with longer fuel rail mounting stud bolts, so the stock bolts need to be extricated first.
6 To secure the fuel rail...
6 To secure the fuel rail covers to the engine, they’re mounted using the new longer stud bolts at the fuel rails and the included Allen head bolts into the previously installed stainless brackets.
7 With the fuel rail covers...
7 With the fuel rail covers finished, it’s time to move on to the intake plenum cover (PN ENG-050-447, $199.99). The plenum is retained at the throttle body by two stud bolts, which are included in the kit. Simply remove the two stock upper throttle body bolts and replace them with the stud bolts, as seen here.
8 To finish off the plenum...
8 To finish off the plenum cover, we’re adding CPC’s throttle body cover extension (PN ENG-058-599, $24.95). The two nuts that secure the front of the intake plenum cover are left loose, which will allow the extension to slip over the two throttle body stud bolts. Once the extension is in place, the two retaining nuts are tightened through the two openings at the front of the extension, securing the extension and the plenum cover.
9 The clamps for the K&N...
9 The clamps for the K&N cold air inlet were interfering with the installation of the throttle body extension, so we simply relocated the clamp’s heads to the bottom side of the inlet hose to solve the issue, so be aware of that if you’re S-197 has an aftermarket cold air induction setup.