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Tech: Metco Billet Coyote Fuel Rails

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By EditorTurner

Tech: Metco Billet Coyote Fuel Rails

Go With The Flow

Adding volume and reducing restriction with Metco Motorsports’  billet fuel rails for the Coyote 5.0

By Steve Turner

Photos by SID297 and StacyStangz

It has become acceptable—maybe even sporting—to see how far you can push the stock components of a Mustang. Certainly it is fun to see how far Ford’s creations will go. Most of us take these cars far beyond the intent of the engineers that created them with just bolt-ons.

These billet fuel rails (PN MFR2011A; $299) from Metco Motorsports are designed to eliminate restrictions and provide ample fuel volume for the injectors feeding your Coyote. Of course, they look pretty great too, which is another reason to add them to your modern 5.0.
These billet fuel rails (PN MFR2011A; $299) from Metco Motorsports are designed to eliminate restrictions and provide ample fuel volume for the injectors feeding your Coyote. Of course, they look pretty great too, which is another reason to add them to your modern 5.0.

However, as you push, you do start to find limitations in the stock components. Of these components, one of the most resilient is the fuel system. With the simple addition of higher-flowing fuel injectors and, maybe, a fuel pump voltage booster the factory returnless fuel system has shown it will support a lot of power.

With an internal diameter of 11/16-inch, the Metco rails offer ample fuel flow and minimal restriction. Before installing the rails be sure to thoroughly rinse them out and let them dry before installing them. Doing so ensures no contaminants are introduced into the engine. “Our rails also incorporate provision for the OEM pressure sensor (where applicable), and multiple 1/8-inch ports in the rails for pressure gauges or for use as fuel taps for nitrous kits…” Metco’s Rick Bejarano said. “For the Coyote application, we offer our fuel rails in two configurations: the rails only for the applications using custom feed and return lines, and as a kit, with fittings, a custom-made crossover line, and even a factory feed line adapter. The kit is intended to be fully compatible with the stock fuel system and no changes are necessary for installation.”
With an internal diameter of 11/16-inch, the Metco rails offer ample fuel flow and minimal restriction. Before installing the rails be sure to thoroughly rinse them out and let them dry before installing them. Doing so ensures no contaminants are introduced into the engine. “Our rails also incorporate provision for the OEM pressure sensor (where applicable), and multiple 1/8-inch ports in the rails for pressure gauges or for use as fuel taps for nitrous kits…” Metco’s Rick Bejarano said. “For the Coyote application, we offer our fuel rails in two configurations: the rails only for the applications using custom feed and return lines, and as a kit, with fittings, a custom-made crossover line, and even a factory feed line adapter. The kit is intended to be fully compatible with the stock fuel system and no changes are necessary for installation.”

That said, there are always areas where you can augment the “stock” system to expand its scope. In the case of the SVTP GT we had pushed the performance to 576 horsepower and 475 lb-ft of torque at the rear wheels with nothing more than a set of 47 lb/hr injectors and tuning. With the rear-wheel power approaching 600, it seemed like a good time to ensure those injectors were getting all the fuel they deserved.

The more power you add to your engine, the more you stress the fuel system. In the case of the SVTP GT, its Magnuson-supercharged, 576-rear-wheel-horsepower 5.0 engine is a prime candidate for improved fuel flow.
The more power you add to your engine, the more you stress the fuel system. In the case of the SVTP GT, its Magnuson-supercharged, 576-rear-wheel-horsepower 5.0 engine is a prime candidate for improved fuel flow.

As such, we picked out a set of billet fuel rails from Metco Motorsports for the SVTP GT. If you aren’t familiar with Metco, the company got its start making billet lower control arms and robust driveshaft safety loops for Mustangs and it expanded and grew from there.

Step one is to safely disconnect the fuel line from the factory fuel rail. It would be best to let the car sit over night so the pressure subsides, but be sure to use a rag to soak up any fuel that seeps out as you disconnect the line.
Step one is to safely disconnect the fuel line from the factory fuel rail. It would be best to let the car sit overnight so the pressure subsides, but be sure to use a rag to soak up any fuel that seeps out as you disconnect the line.

“Metco Motorsports is a company that largely arose out of our own projects and experience in motorsports. Collectively, we have many years of experience in building cars, designing products, developing products, fabricating products, and racing. Our own need for upgrades and reconfigured parts led to many of our products, Metco co-owner, Rick Bejarnao explained. “And now here we are—15 years after we officially started the business—with five capable CNC machines in house running at full capacity.”

“While we manufacture a few proprietary products for other retailers, every Metco Motorsports product is our own original design. We never set out to be the cheapest on the market, but we do make every effort to make the highest quality parts that install with little or no modifications,” he added. “Our parts are designed to fit well— with no drilling, grinding, or welding necessary for installation—and they must look good, too…”

Looks certainly played a role in selecting the Metco rails for the SVTP GT, but performance was a primary concern for us.

Once the feed line is separated from the rail, you can loosen and remove the bolts holding the fuel rails in place.
Once the feed line is separated from the rail, you can loosen and remove the bolts holding the fuel rails in place.

“We developed fuel rails for the Coyote application (and other applications) because we were unsatisfied with the other aftermarket offerings. Most aftermarket fuel rails are made from inexpensive, commonly-available extruded stock, which is the familiar aluminum sticks with the fins in the top,” Rick said. “These extruded rails have a limited internal diameter (often ½- or 9/16-inch), and in many applications the simple, universal design doesn’t fit well around surrounding components in the engine bay.”

Going above and beyond to create its rails, Metco’s design not only provides better fitment, but also allows for a higher volume inside the rails.

It is also time to divorce all eight injector from the wiring harness.
It is also time to divorce all eight injector from the wiring harness.

“We designed our fuel rails based on blocks of certified 6061 billet, and this starting point allows us to manufacture rails with the largest ID of any rails available:  11/16-inch.  This large internal diameter provides a huge reservoir of fuel at the top of each injector, which reduces the likelihood of pressure fluctuations or momentary lean conditions when the throttle is snapped from cruise to WOT,” Rick elaborated. “Each fuel rail set is custom-designed for the intended application, and provides maximum clearance for things such as coil packs, air inlets, cooling system components, etc.”

As you can see in our photos, the rails offer a straightforward install. They fit like a glove, even on our Magnuson supercharged Coyote, and they really dress up the engine too. Performance is important, but it sure doesn’t hurt when a performance mod adds a little style to your engine compartment.

With everything disconnected, you can remove the rails and injectors as a single assembly.
With everything disconnected, you can remove the rails and injectors as a single assembly.
After removing the retaining clips and fuel injectors, we compared the stock fuel rails (left) to the Metco billet rails. If you thought we were kidding about these beauties being larger and freer flowing, this should clear up any confusion. The massive 11/16-inch ID is said to minimize pump pulsations and pressure variations that might deprive the injectors of the fuel they are demanding.
After removing the retaining clips and fuel injectors, we compared the stock fuel rails (left) to the Metco billet rails. If you thought we were kidding about these beauties being larger and freer flowing, this should clear up any confusion. The massive 11/16-inch ID is said to minimize pump pulsations and pressure variations that might deprive the injectors of the fuel they are demanding.
Before swapping the injectors over to the Metco rails, be sure to apply a touch of lube to the O-rings to ensure they don’t tear as you seat them in the rail. The Metco rails do not need or allow for the use of the factory injector retention clips, so you can put those aside with the stock rails.
Before swapping the injectors over to the Metco rails, be sure to apply a touch of lube to the O-rings to ensure they don’t tear as you seat them in the rail. The Metco rails do not need or allow for the use of the factory injector retention clips, so you can put those aside with the stock rails.
First we installed and tightened the crossover fittings and caps at each end of the rail and pushed in the injectors before seating the injectors in the manifold and bolting down the rails. With this process complete, you can plumb and tighten the braided crossover hose included in the kit.
First we installed and tightened the crossover fittings and caps at each end of the rail and pushed in the injectors before seating the injectors in the manifold and bolting down the rails. With this process complete, you can plumb and tighten the braided crossover hose included in the kit.
Not included, but highly recommended, is this optional fuel line adapter (PN MFRS2000; $49.99) that allows a plug-and-play connection between the Metco rails and the factory fuel system.
Not included, but highly recommended, is this optional fuel line adapter (PN MFRS2000; $49.99) that allows a plug-and-play connection between the Metco rails and the factory fuel system.
A nice feature of the Metco rails is the addition of two 1/8-inch-NPT ports, which allow for easily adding an aftermarket fuel-pressure gauge or fuel-supply feed for a nitrous kit. If you aren’t utilizing the ports, you’ll need to install the supplied plugs using liquid Teflon sealant.
A nice feature of the Metco rails is the addition of two 1/8-inch-NPT ports, which allow for easily adding an aftermarket fuel-pressure gauge or fuel-supply feed for a nitrous kit. If you aren’t utilizing the ports, you’ll need to install the supplied plugs using liquid Teflon sealant.
With the plugs installed—be sure to use liquid Teflon sealant, not tape—and the fuel line adapter plumbed, the SVTP GT is ready to run again.
With the plugs installed—be sure to use liquid Teflon sealant, not tape—and the fuel line adapter plumbed, the SVTP GT is ready to run again.
With the Metco rails in place, any potential restriction above the injectors is now gone. Not only do these free-flowing pieces improve the performance of the fuel system, but they look great too. For some that’s enough reason to make this upgrade.
Thanks to the Metco rails, any potential restriction above the injectors is now gone. Not only do these free-flowing pieces improve the performance of the fuel system, but they look great too. For some that’s enough reason to make this upgrade.

 

 

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