Will the Tork Tech kit fit the '96-98 Mustang GT?
The answer to this question is "Yes, but with some changes required".
The TTI kit has been designed for the '99-04 GT engines that have the "PI" or "Product Improved"
cylinder heads. This will be the first change necessary for any Non-PI engine. Secondly, the TTI
kit utilizes a separate supercharger drive which is a very important design feature. The Cross Brace
which locates all the supercharger belt tensioners and idlers is designed to fit the '99-04
engines. There is a interference issue with the belt tensioner if the old front timing chain
cover is utilized, so the older cars will need to switch to the newer design. These are easy to find
salvage yards or on auction sites for around $50-75.
Another minor issue that the older GTs will need to deal with is the fact that they have the dual
coil pack type ignition while the newer cars have the individual coil on plug (COP) type. There are
actually two ways to solve this issue. You can simply relocate both coil packs and purchase a generic
set of plug wires that you cut to length to fit the new coil pack locations, or you can switch
the car over to the COP ignition. Switching to the COP is actually alot easier than you would guess
as there is a simple wiring modification that is shown numerous places around the Internet that
allows you to run the individual coils. We suggest you go this route as it will clean up your engine
bay compared to having ignition wires running all over the place. It is likely a bit more expensive
but if low mileage used coils are located the cost can be minimal.
The PI cylinder head change and the front timing chain cover are really the only physical changes
that are needed to allow the kit to bolt in place but there are a couple other differences between the
'96-98 models and the '99-04 models that affect the TTI supercharger kit. The first is the difference
in fuel pumps. The older models us a "Return" type system, while the newer models use the "Non-Return"
type. Also, the computers and therefore the computer tunes will be different.
One last thought is that it is VERY easy to simply swap in place a complete "PI" engine in place of
your "NPI" engine into the '96-98 models. With this swap your car will immediately fit the TTI kit and
perfect fitment is guaranteed. Excellent low mileage examples of PI engines are available in salvage
yards everywhere and if you can choose we recommend the '02-04 models as minor enhancements make these
the best engines out there. Typical costs range from $750-1500 for a nice engine. Overall, this
really is the easiest way to go to achieve a reliable power plant that allows for easy fitment with
the Tork Tech supercharger setup.