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No one knows more about Mustang intakes, or has more 5.0 intake products available, than K&N

Here’s a trivia question for you Ford enthusiasts. What was the first model to carry the 5.0 label? It’s a car than makes many Mustang enthusiast cringe: the 1978-only Mustang King Cobra. The 5.0 name appeared alongside each side of the hood scoop.

Its history goes back to 1968. The Ford Windsor small block debuted in 1961, and was increased in steps from 221 CID, to 255 CID, to 289 CID, and in 1968, Ford introduced the 302 version of the Windsor V8, but without any sporting pretense. Most Mustangs delivered with a 302 V8 were fitted with a two-barrel carburetor, producing from 210 to 230 horsepower, depending on the carburetor. Right up until 1983 the base 302 came with a stock two-barrel carburetor.

The Ford 302 is technically called the 302 Windsor and was first manufactured in Ford's plant in Windsor, Ontario. It was a modern improvement from the older Y-block Ford V-8s. Not all 302s were manufactured in Windsor plant, but all carry the same name.

K&N offers a high-performance replacement filter element for early Shelby oval air cleaners

While the 1968 Tunnel Ram never made it to the street as an option on factory Mustangs, Carroll Shelby did create his own version of the 302 in 1968, using both aftermarket and Ford high-performance parts. It didn’t sell well, wasn’t continued in 1969, and are pretty rare today. If you should happen to own one, K&N offers a replacement air filter, part number E-3505.

So while the Tunnel Ram didn’t succeed, it did open the path for one of the greatest Muscle Car engines of all time – the Boss 302.

The original version of this legendary engine was installed in 1969 and 1970 Boss 302 Mustangs and Mercury Cougar Eliminators. The Boss 302 featured a special thin-wall high nickel content engine block casting with four-bolt mains, screw-in freeze plugs, and cylinder heads based on the canted valve design being developed for the 351 Cleveland. The cam and lifters were high lift, solid mechanical units, while the connecting rods came from the 289 HIPO design. Compression ratio was a premium-guzzling 10.5:1 compression ratio. Finally, in 1970, Ford won the Trans Am Championship with the Boss 302 Mustang.

The first K&N FIPK air intake system for the 5.0L was for the 1986 - 1988 model years

While the 1970s were spent mostly trying to meet emissions requirements, the Mustang had gotten bigger then shrunk significantly. Named the Mustang II it carried a 302 from 1975 to 1978. Oddly enough those model years were among the most successful in Mustang history. For the 302 V8 Mustang II, K&N makes the E-1550 replacement air filter for 1975-1976 and the K&N E-1180 for 1977-1978 302 V8s.

In 1979, Mustang moved back to its traditional size, based on the Fox platform originally developed for the Ford Fairmont, which would carry the beloved pony car until 2004, counting the redesign. Now clearly identified as the 5.0L engine, refinements continued to be made through the 1980s and its eventual replacement in 1995. For 1979 only, the 5.0 used the carry-over E-1180. While K&N doesn’t manufacturer a filter for the 1980 and 1981 5.0, an E-1290 is available for the 1982 5.0, and a E-1535 for 1983, 1984, and 1985 versions.

In 1985, the block was fitted with revised, taller lifter bosses to accept roller lifters, while a steel camshaft and electronic sequential fuel injection were introduced in 1986. The EFI system is characterized by a large, cast-aluminum manifold and was fitted on 5.0L engines through 1988. The filter for this system is 33-2015. This is also the first Mustang for which K&N makes a FIPK air intake system, part number 57-2501.

When Ford shifted to a cone air filter, K&N developed it's own high flow, high mileage version

While most enthusiasts thought they’d seen the last of the 5.0L V8, the name simply added too much marketing cache to the Mustang and other Ford vehicles to be ignored. And while the 302 lives on at Ford Motorsports as a crate engine, it just wasn’t the same as seeing those gleaming 5.0 numbers affixed to the flanks of a Mustang.

This new 5.0L had nothing to do with the original, but then again, a 2017 Mustang shares nothing but its name with the 1964.5 model. Based on Ford’s new Modular concept, which debuted in the 1991 model year, was so named because it allowed plants to change-over the engine they’re building in just a few hours.

For a brief period, a 5.0L Ford V8 was available again, but really just to meet the displacement limits of racing sanctioning bodies.

The K&N Blackhawk Intake System is a subtle and elegant addition to 1986-1988 5.0 Mustangs

In 2007, the Cammer R50 was upgraded to 550 horsepower for the Mustang FR500GT, intended for European racing and later renamed the FR500GT4. Ford claimed a top speed of 172 mph and a price tag of $225,000.

While a 4.6L modular V8 engine was fitted to the Mustang, it wasn’t until 2011 when the 5.0L returned to full production. While roughly based on the 4.6L to retain the production commonality, the new 5.0L started with a stronger engine block and went from there. It utilized a different firing order and all new four-valve-per-cylinder heads with roller-finger followers and high-flow intake ports. It was also the first application on a V8 of Ford’s Twin Independent Variable Cam Timing (Ti-VCT)system. Compression ratio was 11.0:1 and operated smoothly even on 87 octane fuel. Power was rated at 412 horsepower. The engine carried the internal code name “Coyote”.

Owners of 2011-2014 Mustang GT 5.0 models have a wide variety of K&N air intakes to choose from. The traditional-style K&N 63-2578 which adds over an estimated 20 horsepower, the stylish 71-3527 Blackhawk synthetic filter intake system, the flashy 69-3527TP Typhoon system and the 50 state legal 57-2578 FIPK intake.

The K&N Typhoon Air Intake adds an estimated 17 horsepower to 2012-2013 Mustang Boss 302 V8s

The Ford Mustang GT continues to be available with the 5.0L Coyote engine. From 2013–2014 the V8, now with an aluminum block, produced 420 horsepower. Further refinements for the sixth generation Mustang yielded additional power, the 5.0L now producing 435 horsepower. Interestingly enough that’s about the same horsepower as the 1970 Trans Am championship Boss 302 race cars produced.

Typhoon systems with polished intake tubes add an estimated 19 horsepower to 2015-2017 5.0 Mustangs

One last piece of trivia – the fastest production-bodied 5.0L ever. Modular Motorsports Racing developed a 2,000 horsepower 5.0L Coyote engine and installed it in a factory steel production Mustang body. With it, they set the world record with a quarter mile time of 7.02 seconds and 202 mph on November 13, 2012, at Famoso Raceway in Bakersfield, California.

And of course K&N manufactures oil filters, cabin air filters, and replacement air filters for many of the 5.0L Mustangs so equipped, like the race-proven HP-2011 premium wrench-off oil filter that fits 2011-2017 Mustangs.

Best of all, any K&N intake systems can be installed in less than a Saturday morning, typically with only a few simple hand tools. All tools required are listed in the clear, step-by-step photo-illustrated instructions specific to your Mustang 5.0 that come included in the package. The K&N intake systems come with all necessary hardware for an OE fit and finish. These kit utilize OEM mounting brackets and hardware for quick and easy installation, with no holes to drill.

The only maintenance required for a K&N replacement air filter or air intake kit is a service you can do yourself in no time at all. At intervals of 100,000 miles (depending on your driving conditions) use the K&N 99-5000 recharger kit to easily clean your air filter, preparing it for another 100,000 miles of driving. The K&N replacement air filter or air intake system filter you purchase is designed to last for the lifetime of your vehicle, which K&N guarantees will perform for up to 10 years or 1,000,000 miles without requiring replacement. For full details visit the K&N Million Mile Limited Warranty page.

Carl Renezeder navigating his K&N Filters-sponsored Pro 4 over the technical obstacles

Throwing some roost which is why using K&N Filters is so important in off road racing

Carl Renezeder out front with a gap between himself and rest of the drivers

K&N Filters driver Carl Renezeder standing on his Pro 4 after winning the inaugural Wheatland race

Four wide going across the checkered flag in Pro 4 battling for second place

The racing was fierce and the crowds got what they came to see in Wheatland. Even though this is the last time Carl will be racing here before he retires at the end of the season, the fans will always remember the great battles he put on and being the winner of the first Pro 4 race in Wheatland. Carl still has the remainder of the season to put on a show for all of the crowds. With two wins so far this season, he is looking forward to even more in the final few races which also moves him that much closer to the championship spot, where he will hopefully retire being in the winner circle with the championship wreath hanging around his neck.

Michael Self is fifth in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West standings after nine races.

He was prepared to race in the ARCA Series, moving his way up in stock car racing, perhaps setting up deals to race in the NASCAR Truck or Xfinity Series.

But Bob Bruncati, a long-time owner in the K&N Pro Series West with a two-car team, needed a driver. The series was at Tucson Speedway in Arizona for the first race of the K&N Pro Series West. Self was at the track coaching another driver. One of Bruncati’s drivers wasn’t able to race. Bruncati asked Self if he was interested in driving his car.

“I need someone to drive the 9 car full time this year. Are you interested?,” Self said Bruncati asked him. At first, Self refused the offer. “I don’t have any money, I don’t have any sponsorship to bring to this.”

But Bruncati, one of the few owners in all of NASCAR who prefers talented drivers over well-funded drivers in his cars, wasn’t looking for money.

“It’s all expenses paid. It’s a free ride,” Self said Bruncati told him. “I just need someone to come in and do a good job for me and go compete.”

Self said, “Obviously I am interested in it.”

That started a productive union. Self has finished in the top 10 in all eight races for Bruncati and his Sunrise Ford team. Self is in fifth place in the K&N Pro Series West standings after nine races. He missed one race, the race in Tucson because he didn’t take a NASCAR drug test. He passed the drug test to race in the ARCA Series, but Self had to wait a week before he could race in the K&N Pro Series West.

While Self and Sunrise Ford team have plenty of top 10 finishes to celebrate, the K&N Pro Series West has been dominated by Bill McAnally Racing and its three-car team. Todd Gilliland leads the K&N Pro Series West standings. Chris Eggleston and Derek Kraus round out the top three. The McAnally cars have been tough to beat.

Michael Self prepares for the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West race at Sonoma Raceway in June.

Gilliland won the most recent K&N Pro Series race at Iowa Speedway. It was his fifth win in the K&N Pro Series West and his sixth overall this year in the K&N Pro Series. He also won an East Series race.

Self was sixth at Iowa Speedway. It was a respectable result, but one that he wasn’t particularly pleased with.

“Sixth is a fine result, but I’ve won that race before,” Self said. “Run competitively there in the Arca race a week before. I don’t want to go finish sixth and say. ‘Man that was awesome, that was a great night.’ To me winning is a great night. I think it was a really hard-fought night.”

There have been races that Self has finished ahead of the McAnally cars. He was third in one of the twin races at Irwindale Speedway in California and fourth, finishing ahead of all three McAnally drivers, at Sonoma Raceway in California.

“I was proud of that,” Self said about his third-place finish at Irwindale. “I thought we could build on that. Had some momentum there. That’s been kind of one of our better runs this season.”

Self said he wants to win a race or two before the season is over. He likes some of the tracks the K&N Pro Series West will visit in the next few weeks and likes his team’s chances. The next race is at Evergreen Speedway in Monroe, Wash., on Aug. 12.

“Looking ahead on the schedule, going to Monroe, going to some of these half miles, we’re going to have to be on our game, figure something out to compete with the McAnally cars,” Self said. “We still got time. I’m not satisfied sitting fifth in points. I think all thing considered right now that’s pretty good.”

Self wants to move up in the K&N Pro Series West standings. The championship is probably out of reach, but breaking up the McAnally’s hold on the top three is not.

Michael Self leads a pack of drivers in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West race at Sonoma Raceway.

More importantly, Self doesn’t want to waste a chance to prove he can win races at this level of NASCAR. He has plenty of confidence in the Sunrise Ford team and resources that are available to him.

“To have this opportunity that I have is amazing,” Self said. “I am racing probably 17 or 18 times this year between K&N and ARCA and that’s great compared to what I’ve been doing the past few years, that’s awesome.I want to bring that over to the West side. I want to do it for Bob and for that team as well for myself.”

Kyle Busch celebrating his first win of the season at Pocono Raceway.

“It's pretty cool, finally being able to get the monkey off our back, get to Victory Lane this year,” Busch said. “It's been a long time coming. It's well documented, it's been over a year, but it's finally very rewarding to achieve victory, especially here at Pocono.”

This was Busch’s first career win at Pocono, in which he snapped a career worst, 36 race winless streak in the process. He led 5 times for a total of 75 laps in the win, gaining 50 points and 6 playoff points. Busch won the first stage of the race, giving him the extra playoff point.

With this win, Toyota now has 100 NASCAR Cup Series wins, stemming back to the 2007 season when the company made their debut in NASCAR. Kyle Busch had Toyota’s first win in 2008 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. This was his 176th career NASCAR Race, going across all 3 platforms of NASCAR.

For Busch, Charlotte Motor Speedway is now the only track where he has not won a Cup Series points race. Busch has now never gone a full season without winning a race, with seven top-5 finishes and a second place finish at the Coca Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Kevin Harvick finished in second place and did not lead during the race. Harvick has also never won at Pocono, in 34 career races.

“Yeah, there was no battle,” Harvick said. “He was way faster than we were. There was no battle. I mean, he was in a league of his own there at the end. Just got through traffic good. Got to us, got around us, gone.”

Martin Truex Jr. finished in third place, who led twice for 31 laps.

Kyle Busch burning his tires off after his first win of the season at Pocono Raceway

Martin Truex Jr. continues to lead the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Standings with 823 points and 29 playoff points. Kyle Larson is in second place with 738 points and 13 playoff points. Kevin Harvick is in third place with 726 points and 8 playoff points.

The next race in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series will be the I Love New York 355 at Watkins Glenn International.

Drew Skillman won the Pro Stock final over Erica Enders at Pacific Raceways in Washington

When asked after winning the Pro Stock portion of the races at Pacific Raceways in Washington why he continues to race, even when the results are not the best, he said, “mental illness.” “Anyone that does this has something wrong with them,” Skillman said.

Little has gone wrong for Skillman’s Pro Stock team for more than a month. For the first half of the season, the teams in the Pro Stock division were very close. About 10 teams and drivers were challenging for wins at every event. Nine different drivers won events in the first half of the season. Skillman emerged as the top driver in recent events, winning three of the past four and nearly sweeping the Western Swing in Colorado, California, and Washington. “We really thought we were going to sweep the swing,” Skillman said. “We really thought we had the car to do it. We missed it by two rounds. But we made up for it here.”

Skillman won the events at Bandimere Speedway in Colorado and Route 66 Raceway in Illinois. He added his third win of the season at Pacific Raceways in Washington where he beat two-time Pro Stock champion Erika Enders in the final. “I got lucky on that one,” Skillman said, humble as always. “I’m pretty calm in the car. Nothing really fazes me in the car. I was trying to kill the tree and apparently, I did not.”

Pro Stock driver Drew Skillman has won three out of the last four events

The next NHRA race is at Brainerd International Raceway in Minnesota. Skillman won the Pro Stock event at Brainerd last year. “We have some stuff in the pipeline that should be very, very good for the Countdown,” Skillman said. “Definitely be at the top of the page every time.”