At JLT Performance Inc. we are very excited to release our all new Shelby GT500 induction kit and power packages. This was no overnight project, as we started R&D on this kit well before the car was even released. We started by studying the stock inlet system in early June of 2006, well before the car was even released. We could see that Ford did a good job of using a large filter, but the entire inlet system was going to be restrictive for the potential power of the Shelby. Shortly after we got a hold of a local Tungsten Gray Shelby and got to work.

Together with Evolution Performance we started R&D on the system. All of our other kits are made from ¼” wall plastics and that was not possible with the Shelby. So after some research we decided on carbon fiber. Carbon fiber is very light weight, as strong as steel, looks great and does not heat soak like aluminum would. The complete JLT carbon fiber intake system is a full 2 lbs lighter then the stock system and is designed and formed to flow maximum air and fit under the stock strut tower brace.

The biggest hurdle in testing was the Mass Air Flow sensor. The stock sensor is incorporated into the stock air box and is very limited in its flow range. In testing the Shelby we saw the stock MAF sensor reach maximum voltage in unmodified form. What does this mean? The current flow is measured and a voltage signal is sent back to the ECU and the ECU uses this to measure the mass or weight of the incoming air. It's a little more complicated than that, but that's basically how it works. However, the ECU is set up to only acknowledge a maximum of about 5 volts. This is without a tune. After the MAF gets past the maximum limit that the ECU can use, bad things start happening.

So this means as soon as you start to modify your Shelby you can and will reach max volts and be in danger of engine damage. The stock oval shaped MAF housing is “about” 95mm. as this may sound large, we found its shape has a lot to do with its early “pegging”. After several different sizes we found that 110mm is the perfect size to work best if you are just doing an intake and a tune or a full supercharger pulley, headers, exhaust ported blower swap. There will be no need to get a larger MAF or different sensor. We have tested this up to 700RWHP without maxing out its flow.

We learned from the great success that came from being early in the 05 Mustang GT CAI market that getting the best kit out as soon as we could was crucial for JLT with the Shelby GT500.

We now see many companies marketing what they call a CAI for the Shelby that is nothing but a filter, MAF housing and heat shield. Folks, this is half a system and there trying to charge you near $400 for this. We have tested the stock upper inlets air flow and it’s very limited. We could have easily put together a half of an intake kit much sooner, but why cheat our customers?

The stock inlet is not only an eye soar, but for very little more we replace the entire intake system with the best materials possible. Also keep in mind we have seen lower inlet air temps with our Carbon Fiber tube over the stock rubber/plastic tube. Materials used in the making of a CAI are very important. You will also see companies who use cast aluminum to make their systems. Aluminum is a super conductor and will absorb the heat generated from your high HP Shelby. This heat WILL be transferred to the incoming air increasing inlet air temps. Increased air temps will decrease power gains throughout the day. Don’t think this is true? Drive your car and touch your aluminum supercharger case. (WARNING: IT’S HOT AND WILL BURN YOU!) So, any metal for a “cold” air intake is just wrong.

Our goal is to provide Shelby owners with the first and last intake system they will ever buy for their car. We have also teamed up with great tuners to provide you the best and safest tunes possible. Please feel free to call or email with any questions you may have and we look forward to answering them.

Thank you,

Jay Tucker

JLT Performance Inc.