Ford Drops V6 Mustang for 2018; K&N Covers 6-Cylinder Mustangs Back To 1965

Jan 26, 2017

For customers on a budget or those not concerned with horsepower, a six cylinder was a good option

A six cylinder option has been available in the Mustang for 83% of all model years

Ford announced on January 17, 2017, that it will be ending the long, though not entirely unbroken, line of available, normally-aspirated six cylinder engines in its brand icon with the 2018 Mustang. While atmospheric six cylinder engines have been available in 44 of 53 years that the Mustang (and Mustang II) have been on the market, Ford says that only 15% of their buyers are selecting the unboosted 3.7L 300 horsepower V6 over the 3.5L twin turbo EcoBoost six cylinder or the 5.0L normally-aspirated V8.

The original Mustang was a small, mid-engine prototype with its emphasis more on handling than drag racing. Good thing given it was powered by a small V4 engine. Since it represented only one running prototype we're going to ignore this Mustang for the purposes of our article. The first true Mustangs that everyone knows and loves are the models from 1965 - 1973. While the Mustang first went on sale in the spring of 1964, all cars were designated by Ford as 1965 models. The original straight six engine was increased from 170 CID to 200 CID at around the time of a traditional model year launch. The 200 CID six remained in the line through the 1970 when Ford went to the larger 250 CID engine as base for the larger Mustang of the 1971 – 1973 model years.

When the big Mustangs were replaced by the Mustang II in 1974, the six returned. Instead of the straight six of earlier Mustangs, it was a V6 from Ford's German operations in Cologne. Come 1979 and the introduction of the first Fox chassis and the Cologne V6 was carried forward. Shortly after the start of production, a 3.3L straight six, based on the original Mustang engine was introduced, and soon replaced the German motor. However the option for a six cylinder was dropped in 1987 and wouldn’t return until the 1994 model year.

K&N continues to manufacture air filters for 170, 200, and 250 Ford straight six engines

The K&N E-1080 air filter fits the original 170 CID engine from the early six-cylinder Mustang

For the fourth generation of Mustang (1994-2004) was based on what Ford called the Fox-4 platform. A six was again available, this time the V6 from the Essex Engine Plant in Windsor, Canada. The displacement was 3.8L until 2004 when it was enlarged to 3.9L. Strangely enough, the 3.9L Essex engine was dropped in favor of a 4.0L overhead cam version of the German Cologne V6 for the D2C platform Mustang for the model years of 2005 - 2010. For 2011 an all-new 3.7L aluminum block V6 with DOHC and 24 valves became the base engine. This sophisticated engine continued to be available in the sixth generation Mustang through the 2017 model year. Is this the end of the six-cylinder Mustang? We wouldn't count on it. So in the meantime, here's what K&N offers for six-cylinder Mustang owners.

The first performance upgrade many turn to is a K&N OE replacement air filter. Constructed of a washable cotton gauze material, K&N OE replacement air filters have been designed to increase horsepower by delivering up to a 50% increase in airflow into your Mustang. In fact, test results of a similar filter showed an increase of 122 cubic feet per minute (CFM) of airflow versus a typical disposable filter. All replacement filter designs are subjected to airflow test measurements as well as filtration efficiency to international ISO 5011 test protocols. In addition, the K&N OE replacement air filters are covered by a 10-year/Million Mile Limited Warranty and are engineered to be used for 50,000 between cleanings, depending on driving conditions.

The K&N E-0940 fits 3.8 and 3.9 versions of the V6 fitted to Mustang between 1994 and 2004

K&N E-0940 tapered conical air filter replaces the standard filter in 1994 - 2004 V6 Mustangs

K&N OE Replacement Air Filters for Six Cylinder Ford Mustangs

1965-1965 170 CID K&N E-1080

1965-1967 200 CID K&N E-1080

1968-1969 200 CID K&N E-1030

1970-1970 200 CID K&N E-1200

1971-1973 250 CID K&N E-1350

1974-1975 2.8 L K&N E-1350

1980-1982 3.3 L K&N E-1350

1983-1986 3.8 L K&N E-1325

1994-2004 3.8 L K&N E-0940

2005-2010 4.0 L K&N 33-2298

2011-2014 3.7 L K&N 33-2431

2014-2017 3.7 L K&N 33-5029

K&N Performance Air Intake Systems Intake

K&N Air Intake systems are available back to the 1999 model year for six-cylinder Mustangs

For 2015-2017 V6 Mustang owners looking for power, the 69-3536TTK intake adds an estimated 12.4 HP

The intake system of new cars and trucks is often compromised and as a result doesn’t deliver as much fresh air as the engine can draw. K&N performance air intake systems replace the entire restrictive factory air intake system with an aerodynamically-engineered intake tube and oversized conical filter. Most systems include a heatshield to isolate the intake from hot engine air. K&N performance air intake systems are dynamometer tested to estimate the horsepower gain you can expect with a K&N system installed. Applications for the 2009 – 2017 Ford six cylinder Ford Mustangs include:

1999–2004 3.8L K&N 57 series air intake 57-2532 +6.9 estimated HP gain

2005-2009 4.0L K&N 57 series air intake 57-2566 +7.5 estimated HP gain

2005-2009 4.0L K&N 69 series air intake 69-3522TP 7.1 estimated HP gain

2010-2010 4.0L K&N 57 series air intake 57-2577 7.4 HP estimated gain

2010-2010 4.0L K&N 69 series air intake 69-3525TS 5.2 HP estimated gain

2011-2014 3.7L K&N 69 series air intake 69-3529TP 11.8 HP estimated gain

2015-2015 3.7L K&N 63 series air intake 63-2594 7.5 HP estimated gain

2015-2017 3.7L K&N 69 series air intake 69-3536TTK 12.4 HP estimated gain

K&N air intake systems are relatively easy to install, typically in 90 minutes or less using the existing factory mounting points and a handful of commonly available tools.

With a one-inch nut welded to the the heavy-duty shell, removal of even the tightest filter is easy

K&N's premium Wrench-Off filter features a one-inch nut to make filter removal a snap

K&N Oil Filters

As an expert in filtration K&N produces oil filters that block 99% of foreign material while maintaining a high oil flow rate. Further, K&N oil filters are compatible with both synthetic oils, conventional oils, and blends. K&N Wrench-Off oil filters are great for street, muscle car, or race applications. The Wrench-Off oil filters are a canister oil filter with a twist. Beyond being well-known for their durability and strength, they feature an easy wrench-off removal design with a one-inch nut welded to the end. K&N Performance Silver oil filters are designed to provide better engine performance by reducing oil filter restriction. They are engineered to handle all grades of synthetic and conventional motor oils, including blends, and use a pleated filtration media that provides increased capacity and outstanding filtration.

At the top of the range is the K&N washable and reusable billet automotive oil filter. The filter housings are machined from 6061 T6 billet aluminum for strength and durability. The filter is finished in a stainless steel micro-sheen and Neodymium magnets are embedded in the canister to remove harmful metallic debris. The internal filter cartridge is washable and can be reused. Applications for six cylinder Mustangs include:

1965-1965 170 CID K&N premium Wrench-Off filter - HP-3001

1965-1965 170 CID K&N Performance Silver filter - PS-3001

1965-1965 170 CID K&N billet aluminum filter - SS-3001

1965-1970 200 CID K&N premium Wrench-Off filter - HP-3001

1965-1970 200 CID K&N Performance Silver filter - PS-3001

1965-1970 200 CID K&N billet aluminum filter - SS-3001

1971-1973 250 CID K&N premium Wrench-Off filter - HP-3001

1971-1973 250 CID K&N Performance Silver filter - PS-3001

1971-1973 250 CID K&N billet aluminum filter - SS-3001

1974-1978 2.8L K&N premium Wrench-Off filter - HP-2004

1974-1978 2.8L K&N Performance Silver filter - PS-2004

1974-1978 2.8L K&N billet aluminum filter - SS-2004

1979-1979 2.8L K&N premium Wrench-Off filter - HP-3001

1979-1979 2.8L K&N Performance Silver filter - PS-3001

1979-1979 2.8L K&N billet aluminum filter - SS-3001

1980-1982 3.3L K&N premium Wrench-Off filter - HP-3001

1979-1982 3.3L K&N Performance Silver filter - PS-3001

1979-1982 3.3L K&N billet aluminum filter - SS-3001

1983-1986 3.8L K&N premium Wrench-Off filter - HP-3001

1983-1986 3.8L K&N Performance Silver filter - PS-3001

1983-1986 3.8L K&N billet aluminum filter - SS-3001

1994-2004 3.8L K&N premium Wrench-Off filter - HP-2009

1994-2004 3.8L K&N Performance Silver filter - PS-2009

1994-2004 3.8L K&N billet aluminum filter - SS-2009

2005-2010 4.0L K&N premium Wrench-Off filter - HP-2010

2005-2010 4.0L K&N Performance Silver filter - PS-2010

2005-2010 4.0L K&N billet aluminum filter - SS-2010

2011-2017 3.7L K&N premium Wrench-Off filter - HP-2011

2011-2017 3.7L K&N Performance Silver filter - PS-2011

2011-2017 3.7L K&N billet aluminum filter - SS-2011

In addition to the filters described above, K&N automotive performance parts include air filter wraps, clamp-on air filters, crankcase vent filters, plenums, carb adapters, K&N Stubstacks®, carbon fiber composites, filter accessories, air/fuel monitors, inline fuel filters and pumps, diesel fuel filters and air restriction gauges. K&N also offers a wide variety of performance parts for motorcycles, personal watercraft, and boats, as well as mobile and auxiliary power equipment. And the K&N website makes it easy to find the right performance parts for your vehicle.

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