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If You Missed NMRA in Bradenton, You Done Screwed Up

Attending the NMRA Spring Break Shootout in sunny Bradenton, FL has become an SVTP tradition. For the past several years we’ve made the trek south in search of warm weather and great racing, and 2020 didn’t disappoint. While this was one of the cooler Bradenton races we’ve attended (D.A. was negative 800ft in the mornings), the cars were loving the prevailing atmospheric conditions.

The event seemed much busier on Saturday than any year in recent memory. The number of both spectators and racers was quite impressive. Whatever NMRA is doing to get the word out about their races is definitely working. I hope to see this kind of growth continue throughout the season. But for those of you who couldn’t make it out, we have some coverage for you:

2020 Ford Explorer ST | Finally, a Real Performance SUV from Ford

I know that title may be a bit harsh, but if you read our review of the somewhat lackluster 2019 Edge ST you’ll understand its meaning. That version of the Edge was marketed as the first SUV from Ford Performance. Other than the nice styling, that car was a let-down. Ford really needed to do something special to redeem their efforts to produce a true performance SUV. Enter the 2020 Ford Explorer ST.

Let me get this out of the way right up front. I was extremely excited to see that the newest version of the venerable Ford Explorer was returning to a Rear-Wheel-Drive based architecture. In my humble opinion, RWD is simply superior from a driving dynamics standpoint than a FWD design. For the ST model, the Ford Performance engineers took advantage of this...

Tested | Prototype JLT Intake for the 2020 Shelby GT500 Mustang

In case you guys missed it, let me catch you up. SVTP has been working with VMP Performance to test the performance increases we can squeeze out of the recently released 2020 Shelby GT500 Mustang with some typical bolt-on parts and tuning. After seeing some impressive stock boost level gains, both at the track and on the dyno, it was time to test out a classic Mustang mod; a JLT Cold Air Intake.

The SVTP community is well aware that a CAI is a member of the holy trinity of basic bolt-on mods for any car (intake, tune, and exhaust for the uninitiated). And for close to twenty years the folks at JLT have been churning out some of the Ford Performance Nation’s favorite kits. The styling and materials of the kits may have changed some over the years, but JLT’s share...

2020 Shelby GT500 | Modding and Testing VMP's Project Snowbird

I know you guys have been waiting for this. The 2020 GT500 has already proven to be a supremely impressive addition to Ford Performance family of vehicles. But this is SVTP, you know we never leave anything stock for long. So we teamed up with the supercharger experts at VMP Performance to cover some up the preliminary build up of their project Predator. When we arrived, the car was already equipped with a ported supercharger courtesy of Jokerz Performance. Other than the blower, the car was stock.

So the first order of business was to strap the Twister Orange Mustang to rollers and set a baseline. He above setup netted us 680 RWHP, but the interesting thing we noticed was the power starting to drop off once the engine reached 7,700 RPM. VMP’s Justin Starkey...

5 Star 93 Octane Tuned | 2020 F-250 7.3L Tremor | Road Test

The 2020 Super Duty Tremor has certainly piqued the interest of the SVTP Community. Not since the introduction of the original SVT F-150 Raptor have we seen this much interest in a new Ford truck, and there’s good reason for it. The Tremor (a badge that Ford has been known to dust off from time to time) delivers on the desire for a more muscular and off-road capable package than the Super Duty has ever been equipped with. We’ll have a complete review of the Tremor package in the coming weeks, but today we wanted to focus on a very special truck.

What we have here is the very first 2020 F-250 Tremor 7.3L V8 with a 5 Star 93-Octane tune. It’s tuned with HP Tuners software and loaded in with an nGuage. The driveability of this tune is very similar to the 87 Octane 5 Star...

2020 Ford GT Supercar Gets More Power and Gulf Racing Heritage Livery

Today, Ford Performance announces upgrades to the Ford GT supercar for 2020, including increased engine power to 660 horsepower and improved cooling. Much of the 2020 Ford GT’s advancements are a result of Ford’s continuous technological innovation, especially GT’s 3.5-liter EcoBoost® twin-turbo V6.

“Ford GT continues to be the pinnacle of Ford performance,” said Ed Krenz, Ford Performance chief program engineer. “GT is always the ultimate expression of Ford racing innovation, and as we know from the 1966 Le Mans through today, that means constantly raising our game for our customers as well as earning the checkered flag.”

MT-82 Manual Transmission Oil Change | Amsoil MTF

Love it or hate it, the MT-82 is the transmission that brought six gears to the masses in the Mustang market. Before it, buyers were required to step up to one of the halo performance model Pony cars in order to row through more than five speeds. The Getrag box has plenty of pluses, but it did get off to a bit of a rocky start. Thankfully, we like modding here on SVTP.

One of the biggest complaints the MT-82 received early on was sketchy gear engagement that differed based on temperature. It seemed that the factory synchros were particularly sensitive to oil viscosity, and Ford filled the MT-82 with a fairly lightweight oil from the factory. That was fine for cold weather and average daily driving. However; during hot summer months, and especially on the road track, the oil would get so...

Explorer ST Bringing in New Buyers | 2021 Explorer XLT Sport Appearance Package Debuts

The 400-horsepower Ford Explorer ST -- proving there is a growing market for performance SUVs – is surpassing sales expectations and attracting new customers trading-in luxury brand vehicles.

Explorer ST is accounting for 21 percent of overall Explorer sales, with nearly 28 percent of non-Ford trade-ins coming from luxury brands. In addition, Explorer ST is helping Explorer retain its title as America’s all-time best-selling SUV, according to Ford analysis of new light vehicle registration data from IHS Markit.

“Ford ST stands for performance for enthusiasts, and Explorer ST is no exception,” said Craig Patterson, Ford SUV marketing manager. “We believe once drivers feel the power and refinement of our first-ever Explorer...

2019+ Ford Ranger FX4 Review | Way Better Than Expected

If I had to distill my impressions of the new Ford Ranger pickup truck into a concise phrase it would have to be, it defies expectations. The latest iteration of Ford’s Iconic Ranger has been available for about a year now, and in that time I have seen review after review pan it. Most complain about the ride and styling. My only guess for reasoning behind those reviewer’s claims is they aren’t really truck guys.

In my humble opinion, as someone who has not been without at least one Ford Truck in his fleet for the last twenty years, our 2019 Ranger test truck is the best riding and handling non-specialty truck Ford currently builds. Ride quality is certainly subjective so your mileage may vary, but I came away very impressed. I like a truck to ride like a truck; firm but not...

WTF??? | Ford EcoBoost Engines Now Have EGR Coolers

Well this is a new one. We recently had a 2019 Ford Ranger FX4 in for testing. For those unfamiliar with the specs of Ford's reborn small'ish truck, it is currently only available with a 2.3L EcoBoost 4-Cylinder engine and the 10R80 10-Speed Auto. That mill has proven to be pretty stout in tuned Mustang application dating back to 2015, and there are a few guys turning them up in Rangers too.

However, as I was poking around under the hood of our test truck I noticed something odd. Ford is equipping the Ranger's 2.3L with an Exhaust Gas Recirculation ("EGR") system that also includes a tiny EGR Cooler. By now you probably know that clogged EGR Coolers have led to the early death of countless diesels over the years, and I've never seen one fitted to a Ford gas motor. Nonetheless, there it...

SVTP Drives a Tuned 7.3L 2020 F-250 | HP-Tuners & 5 Star Tuning

The wait is finally over. The engine no one ever expected to see Ford building in the 2020s, the Brand-New 7.3L ‘Godzilla’ Pushrod V8, is finally making its way into the hands of the Super Duty buying public. And even better than that, the aftermarket is already hard at work making improvements. The usually suspects are already starting to crank out cold air intakes and exhaust system, but we were lucky enough to get our hands on something really special.

That fine folks at 5 Star Tuning in Florence, SC invited us out to take a look at and drive one of their 2020 Super Duty test trucks. This particular model was an STX F-250 4x4 equipped with the new 7.3L gas engine and 3.55 gears. More importantly, it had an early version of 5 Star’s yet-to-be-released 87-Octane...

Restored Shelby Prototypes 'Green Hornet' and 'Little Red' are Headed to Barrett-Jackson

Once lost, now found and restored to their original glory, a pair of historic experimental Shelby Mustangs – “Green Hornet” and “Little Red” – are being revealed together for the first time, joined by two new Shelby GT500 Mustangs at 9 a.m. MST tomorrow at the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale auction.

The restored 1968 Shelby GT500 prototype known as the Green Hornet and the newly restored 1967 Shelby GT500 prototype known as Little Red will be unveiled by Craig Jackson, chairman and CEO, Barrett-Jackson. Jackson restored both cars, which are the only notchback coupes ever produced wearing the Shelby nameplate.

Add a Warn Winch to Your 2020 Super Duty with Ford Performance Parts

When the trail is blocked and there is nowhere else to go, for the first time ever on an F-Series Super Duty, the new 2020 model with Tremor Off-Road Package can help clear the way with an available integrated electric winch.

The new Ford Performance Parts winch by Warn comes with 12,000 pounds of winching power and will be available as a factory-orderable option or dealer-installed after-sale accessory for both gas and diesel-powered Super Duty Tremor pickups.

2020 Super Duty is the Ultimate Snow Removing Machine

The 2020 Ford F-Series Super Duty will tackle winter’s worst weather with the heaviest snow plow rating in the segment. With the available Snow Plow Prep Package, Super Duty features a maximum 1,400-pound snow plow rating accounting for mounting hardware, which is best-in-class for gasoline-powered trucks in the segment, and maximum 1,290 pounds which is also best-in-class for the diesel segment.

“Super Duty is a real workhorse in the snow removal industry,” said Mike Pruitt, Ford F-Series Super Duty chief engineer. “With our new Snow Plow Prep Package, we’re really delivering for folks who clear the way after a big storm. Being able to safely hook up bigger plows means roads, driveways and parking lots are cleared quickly and drivers can move on to the next job.”

Is it Time for Ford to Build a New F-650 Super CrewZer?

The American love affair with ever larger and more powerful trucks seems to be unending. While Sub-$3.00/Gallon gasoline hasn't led to Ford releasing a new Excursion (likely due to fear from the PR fallout), but there's another Mega-Sized Ford from the past that could easily see a reemergence. That would be the Ford F-650 Super Crewzer from circa-2002.

For those of you who may not remember, the turn of the century was a time of 250HP diesels and 4-Speed auto transmissions. If you wanted to tow something that tipped the scales beyond the capabilities of a 1-Ton Dually your options were fairly limited. Ford saw that gap in the market and seized the opportunity by building a 7-Ton monster.

Limited Edition 55th Anniversary Heritage GT350/R Mustang Coming Soon

A year before Ken Miles set lap records at Le Mans in Ford’s famed GT40, the noted race car driver and engineer made waves on the track in the first 1965 Mustang Shelby GT350 fastback coupe. Ford is celebrating this legacy 55 years later with a new limited-edition 2020 Mustang Shelby GT350 Heritage Edition Package.

Miles made Shelby GT350 an instant legend when he drove it to victory at Green Valley Raceway in Texas on Feb. 14, 1965. Since then, the Shelby GT350 has been a Mustang icon.

More Photos From PRI 2019 Than You Probably Want to See

If you've been on SVTP very long at all you know we love the annual Performance Racing Industry Show, but hate going to Indy in the winter. This year was no different. The show was awesome as always, and I still hate the cold. Some highlights of the show are always seeing industry friends and checking out some new go-fast parts. It was great catching up with the guys from HP Tuners and @Livernois Motorsports.

For 2019, there were some truly special parts on display for the Modern Ford Enthusiat. First up, Ford Performance introduced their new 'Werewolf' Iron Engine Block for the Coyote V8 platform. This is...

Justin Starkey Fills Us in About VMP's Odin 2.65L TVS Supercharger

We just got back from PRI 2019 and we have a lot of information to share with you. On top of Ford Performance releasing thier new 'Werewolf' Iron Coyote Block, this year's show was the first chance for many to lay eyes on @VMP Performance's 2.65L TVS Supercharger. We were on hand to get some pics of the blower from a few angles you may not have seen. Plus; the man behind the product, Justin Starkey, took the time to share some design details with us. If you like massive intercooler cores and serious power potential I think you'll be pleased. Check it out:

2020 Ford Expedition Adds FX4 Off-Road Package|Exclusive First Look

Ford is adding its FX4 off-road package to the upscale 2020 Ford Expedition Limited for customers who want to travel further off the beaten path. “There’s a growing trend in people looking to enjoy rugged terrain without having to give up the refinement, comfort or convenience of getting there,” said Devin McParlane, Ford Expedition consumer marketing manager.

The Expedition Limited FX4 off-road package brings off-road ruggedness and capability to the company’s seven-passenger SUV. Nearly 20 percent of Expedition owners use their vehicle for off-road adventures, with 45 percent taking their SUV hunting, camping or fishing, according to MaritzCX market research. And with an available heavy-duty trailer package, the standard-wheelbase Expedition Limited FX4 can tow up to 9,200...

The Iron Coyote Engine Block from Ford Performance Is Here!!! |Exclusive First Look

Tucked away with no labels or info in the Ford Performance Racing Parts Booth at PRI 2019 is this little gem. The worlds first Cast Iron Ford Coyote Engine block. For those making 1,000+HP and having issues with bore distortion or the like, this may be your answer. We don't have any real info at this time but will update as it becomes available.

This appears to be a partially machined version (notice the pan rails and mains)...