07-21-06: There is a growing list of aftermarket parts for the V6 Mustang. And why shouldn't there be? There are nearly twice as many of them out there on the roads than the V8's. So with all sorts of parts coming online, BBK out of southern California was quick to offer up a version of their OEM quality throttle bodies to add a few extra ponies to the 3.8 liter SN-95 Mustangs.

Available for all 1994 -2004 3.8L V-6 Mustang models their "Power-Plus Series" performance throttle bodies start with a brand-new 356 aluminum body and precision machined brass throttle plate. The BBK flows 30-40% better than the stock units. This reduction in drag allows the engine to breathe more freely and thus crank out more power while offering increased throttle response. Because the modification is a simple one, a retune is not necessary on the 1994-2004 cars unless you have a supercharger or other high end setup in place already.

Installing the BBK throttle body is a snap. The kit includes new a gasket and all necessary hardware and the whole thing can be done inside an hour.

First you disconnect the negative battery terminal. This sounds lame, but it is always a good idea when handling metal tools under the hood. It sucks when you bump a wrench and it tries to weld itself between the hot terminal and the body.

Once this is out of the way you unplug the throttle position sensor (TPS) connector, remove the throttle cable and cruise control cable if equipped. Then you unclamp the air filter tube, setting it aside.

Removing the throttle body (TB) only takes the twisting off of four nuts and comes right off. Preparing to install the new TB is where you want to ensure clean surfaces. Make sure that the old gasket is gone and the surface of the manifold is perfectly clean. This one area of the install is where most people have issues with air leaks caused by rough or dirty surfaces. Once that's done, place the new gasket over the studs.

The trickiest part of the procedure is removing the TPS from the old TB and correctly installing it on the new one. You have to carefully line up the input shaft to asure proper fit or the car wont idle property. Then you also need to remove the old idle air control (IAC) from the old TB and reinstall on the new one if your car is equipped.

Now that the hardest part is over, install the BBK throttle body onto manifold and tighten using stock nuts. Tighten snug but be carefull not to overtighten. Reconnect the electrical connectors, return springs, cables and inlet tube. Most importantly make sure all your air hose connections are secure as air leaks will cause your car to run rough or stall.

Lastly, reconnect negative (-) battery terminal and start the vehicle. Listen for any air leaks and observe for any odd idle behavior. If everything is good, take it for a test drive. Keep in mind that the Ford engine computer may take several miles of driving before it readjusts to the new TB and offers up the best performance.

Part Numbers:

1548 3.8 Mustang 56mm throttle body assembly (1994-98)
1552 1990-00 3.8 Mustang/4.2 Truck 70mm throttle body
1652 70 mm throttle body 2001-04 3.8 V-6 Mustang

More Information: www.BBKPerformance.com