Ford 5.0L EFI GT40 1" Intake Manifold Phenolic Spacer
Ford 5.0L EFI GT40 1" Intake Manifold Phenolic Spacer
SKU: SKU: SP8438
Out of stock
Product Details
Features
- 1" phenolic spacer cuts heat soak between GT40 intake and cylinder heads.
- Kit includes gaskets and mounting hardware — install-ready, nothing extra to source.
- Fits 1986-1993 Ford 5.0L EFI Windsor V8 engines with GT40 intake manifold.
- Phenolic plastic insulates intake air from block heat for a cooler, denser charge.
Description
The TSP Ford 5.0L EFI GT40 Phenolic Spacer is a 1" heat-isolation spacer that installs between the GT40 intake manifold and the cylinder heads on 1986-1993 Ford 5.0L EFI small block Windsor V8 engines. Phenolic plastic construction forms a thermal barrier that limits heat transfer from the heads and block into the intake tract, helping keep incoming air cooler for more consistent throttle response and reduced heat soak.
The kit ships with two gaskets and mounting hardware, so the spacer, seals, and fasteners arrive as a complete set. Before installing, confirm the throttle-body or upper-intake bolt pattern, bolt length, and port alignment match your GT40 intake. Because the spacer raises intake height by 1", check hood clearance, throttle linkage travel, vacuum routing, and sensor connector reach once it's installed.
This spacer is built for the Ford small block Windsor V8 — 4.9L / 302 CID, commonly referred to as 5.0L — specifically on engines equipped with a GT40 intake manifold. It's found in Ford Mustang, F-100, Bronco, Mercury Cougar, and Ford Fairlane applications running this engine and intake combination.
Heat Isolation
Phenolic plastic transfers far less heat than aluminum, so this spacer keeps intake air temperature closer to ambient instead of picking up heat from the heads and block — useful on EFI setups prone to heat soak after a hot shutdown.
Installation
Two gaskets and mounting hardware are included. Confirm bolt length and port alignment against your GT40 intake before final torque, and re-check hood clearance, throttle linkage, vacuum routing, and sensor connectors after the 1" height is added.
Specs
| Spacer Material | Phenolic Plastic |
| Spacer Finish | Black |
| Thickness | 1" |
| Gaskets | Included |
| Mounting Hardware | Included |
| Included | Spacer (2) Gaskets Mounting Hardware |
Engine Fitment
COMPATIBLE WITH
FORD SMALL BLOCK WINDSOR V8
• 4.9 L / 302 in3 generally referred to as 5.0 L
NOTES
• Fits 1986–1993 Ford 5.0L EFI engines equipped with a GT40 upper/lower intake manifold only — not compatible with standard EFI upper intake manifolds or carbureted applications.
• The GT40 intake manifold was factory-installed on 1993–1995 Mustang GT and Cobra, and 1993–1994 Ford Explorer / Mercury Mountaineer with the 5.0L — verify your specific intake manifold before ordering.
• Phenolic plastic construction insulates the upper intake from engine heat, helping reduce intake charge temperatures.
• Adds 1 inch of height — verify hood clearance before installation.
• Includes spacer, two gaskets, and mounting hardware.
Longer intake manifold bolts may be required after installation — verify bolt length before final assembly.
COMMON VEHICLE APPLICATIONS
Ford Mustang GT / Cobra (5.0L GT40, 1993–1995)
Ford Explorer (5.0L GT40, 1993–1994)
Mercury Mountaineer (5.0L GT40, 1993–1994)
Q&A
What does this phenolic spacer actually do?
This 1-inch phenolic spacer creates a thermal barrier between the GT40 intake manifold and the cylinder heads, reducing heat transfer into the intake manifold. By helping minimize heat soak, it can lower incoming air temperatures and improve performance consistency.
Does this fit a stock (non-GT40) 5.0L intake?
No. This spacer is designed specifically for GT40-style intake manifolds used on 1986–1993 Ford 5.0L EFI Windsor V8 engines. It is not intended for stock non-GT40 intake manifolds or other intake castings.
Are gaskets and hardware included?
Yes. The kit includes two intake gaskets and the required mounting hardware, so no additional hardware is needed for installation.
Will a 1-inch spacer cause hood or linkage clearance issues?
Possibly. Raising the intake manifold by 1 inch can affect hood clearance, throttle linkage operation, vacuum hose routing, and sensor connector reach. Verify clearance and fitment before final installation.
Why is the spacer made from phenolic instead of aluminum?
Phenolic material is an excellent thermal insulator and transfers significantly less heat than aluminum. This helps reduce heat transfer from the engine into the intake manifold, minimizing heat soak and maintaining cooler intake air temperatures.
Can this be used in a 5.0L swap into an older vehicle?
Yes. This spacer can be used on any Ford 5.0L EFI Windsor engine equipped with a GT40-style intake manifold, making it suitable for many engine swap applications as long as the correct intake manifold is being used.
Emissions Notice
This product does not affect vehicle emissions and is not subject to emissions compliance regulations.
Ford 5.0L EFI GT40 1" Intake Manifold Phenolic Spacer
The TSP Ford 5.0L EFI GT40 Phenolic Spacer is a 1" heat-isolation spacer that installs between the GT40 intake manifold and the cylinder heads on 1986-1993 Ford 5.0L EFI small block Windsor V8 engines. Phenolic plastic construction forms a thermal barrier that limits heat transfer from the heads and block into the intake tract, helping keep incoming air cooler for more consistent throttle response and reduced heat soak.
The kit ships with two gaskets and mounting hardware, so the spacer, seals, and fasteners arrive as a complete set. Before installing, confirm the throttle-body or upper-intake bolt pattern, bolt length, and port alignment match your GT40 intake. Because the spacer raises intake height by 1", check hood clearance, throttle linkage travel, vacuum routing, and sensor connector reach once it's installed.
This spacer is built for the Ford small block Windsor V8 — 4.9L / 302 CID, commonly referred to as 5.0L — specifically on engines equipped with a GT40 intake manifold. It's found in Ford Mustang, F-100, Bronco, Mercury Cougar, and Ford Fairlane applications running this engine and intake combination.
Heat Isolation
Phenolic plastic transfers far less heat than aluminum, so this spacer keeps intake air temperature closer to ambient instead of picking up heat from the heads and block — useful on EFI setups prone to heat soak after a hot shutdown.
Installation
Two gaskets and mounting hardware are included. Confirm bolt length and port alignment against your GT40 intake before final torque, and re-check hood clearance, throttle linkage, vacuum routing, and sensor connectors after the 1" height is added.
COMPATIBLE WITH
FORD SMALL BLOCK WINDSOR V8
• 4.9 L / 302 in3 generally referred to as 5.0 L
NOTES
• Fits 1986–1993 Ford 5.0L EFI engines equipped with a GT40 upper/lower intake manifold only — not compatible with standard EFI upper intake manifolds or carbureted applications.
• The GT40 intake manifold was factory-installed on 1993–1995 Mustang GT and Cobra, and 1993–1994 Ford Explorer / Mercury Mountaineer with the 5.0L — verify your specific intake manifold before ordering.
• Phenolic plastic construction insulates the upper intake from engine heat, helping reduce intake charge temperatures.
• Adds 1 inch of height — verify hood clearance before installation.
• Includes spacer, two gaskets, and mounting hardware.
Longer intake manifold bolts may be required after installation — verify bolt length before final assembly.
COMMON VEHICLE APPLICATIONS
Ford Mustang GT / Cobra (5.0L GT40, 1993–1995)
Ford Explorer (5.0L GT40, 1993–1994)
Mercury Mountaineer (5.0L GT40, 1993–1994)
SPECIFICATIONS
Spacer Material: Phenolic Plastic
Spacer Finish: Black
Thickness: 1"
Gaskets: Included
Mounting Hardware: Included
Included: Spacer/(2) Gaskets/Mounting Hardware
