About to drop $2-$3k in mods...need confirmation its the right mods

[lil OH]

Been saving for mods for a while and finally have enough to buy everything I want at once. It's kind of crazy to sink this much money into a 03 GT with 87k but I plan on keeping the car for a while. I want to do everything right, once.

So here's the list. I have a few questions I'm going to call the suppliers about tonight and noted them next to the mods. Thanks guys!

Drivetrain:

1. Ford Racing 3.73 Gears and SF3 Tuner - $545
2. Rear End Installation and Bearing Kit - 8.8in - $75
3. Ford Racing Traction - LOK Rebuild Kit w/ Carbon Discs - 8.8in - $110: DO I NEED THIS??? OR IS IT JUST NICE TO HAVE???
4. RAM HDX Clutch - $250
5. Ford Racing Roller Pilot Bearing - $12
6. Ford Racing Performance Throwout Bearing - $50: SHOULD I GET THIS EVEN THOUGH THE CLUTCH COMES WITH ONE???

Wheels/Tires:

1. Staggered Chrome Saleen Style Wheel & Tire Kit - 18x9/10 - $1355
2. Locking Lug Nutes - $40

Exhaust:

1. SLP Catted X-Pipe - $420

Future summer mods:
MGW Shifter
Throttle Body


This is about $3k in mods so I hope to run a decent 1/4 mile and the car is reliable...

 

[N8Dogg98]

$3K is a lot of money... I'd keep saving and do it right the first time by buying a PD blower as your first mod... then you can add all the little things later

Why are you buying a clutch? Is the stock clutch bad?

FWIW mine lasted until 130K and I beat the piss out of my car. If you don't want to go the blower route, I'd instead look at buying a pair of cams rather than a new clutch. Oh and since you have a PI car I'd get 4.10's instead of 3.73's

 

[lil OH]

The clutch isn't bad but it's not shifting as smooth as it used to. I also have a whining noise when in neutral so i need to replace the T/O bearing...while the transmission is out i might as well do the clutch and gears.

What do you mean by PI car? Not familiar with that. I chose 3.73's because i drive a decent amount on the highway and wanted lower RPM's (better mpg)

 

[lil OH]

$3k is alot but almost half of it going into new wheels/tire that I need so its really $1500 into the engine.

 

[N8Dogg98]

PI = performance improved heads, intake, and cams (99-04 Mustang)
96-98 cars had the NPI heads, intake, and cams and were rated between 215-225 compared to 265 for the 99 up cars.

you said you want to run a decent 1/4 mile and in that case I'd skip on the wheels/tires and spend that money on cams and tires for your stock wheels, or if the tires aren't bad spend the money on headers. Speaking from experience my 18x9/10" FR500's slowed my car down tremendously... it feels like I'm towing a boat

 

[RedDaemon]

i dont have first hand experience with gears but if i had to guess, your gears wont be much fun with the chitty stock shifter

 

[lil OH]

but the wheels look so damn good!!!...i would rather a nice set of rims than a half sec off my 1/4 mile. I thought about cams but its probably an expensive install.

 

[Deleted member 38176]

I think you'd be happier with 4.10's, but if you're set on 3.73's then thats ok

You don't need a TLOK rebuild, especially with that mileage.

 

[lil OH]

thanks nightfire...going to read up more on the 4.10's...its a daily driver but my commute is only 15min with 5 on the highway.

 

[Sharad]

but the wheels look so damn good!!!...i would rather a nice set of rims than a half sec off my 1/4 mile. I thought about cams but its probably an expensive install.

It's not crazy to spend money on an 03 GT. On the contrary... for some people (myself included), it's crazy to take out a $700/month loan on a new Mustang.

It sounds like you have a pretty good plan. Just make sure you don't cheap out on the tires. All the horsepower in the world is useless if you can't hook. That's why all of my Mustangs get UPR suspension & sticky tires.

Maybe you should pass on the catted X and use that money to upgrade the tires. Maybe some NT555Rs for street/strip duty? Then later on add these control arms and you'll be good to go for some good launches. 99-04 Mustang Elite Chrome Moly Urethane Control Arm Suspension Kit

 

[N8Dogg98]

but the wheels look so damn good!!!...i would rather a nice set of rims than a half sec off my 1/4 mile. I thought about cams but its probably an expensive install.

Sure, I bought mine for the same reason, but you're initial statement was that you'd like to run a decent 1/4 mile and adding good tires to your stock 17's would be much better than 18's.

Are you having all of this work done by someone else or do you plan on doing it yourself? If you're comfortable doing these upgrades yourself, I'd consider getting some cams... they sound great (depending on what you get) and can really wake up the car.

 

[johnnyt03gt]

i say 410's and new shifter for now. save up for a KB later

 

[Maxpowers]

4.10's are not bad on the highway. I lost 3 mpg putting mine in. Just slow yourself down to the speed limit and you will be happy with them.

 

[BannonJr]

You look ok with that list, but I'd find the money to cat back that also

 

[Dark04GT]

If you're comfortable doing these upgrades yourself, I'd consider getting some cams... they sound great (depending on what you get) and can really wake up the car.

+1. With 3k that is full exhaust (for you full length headers and midpipe) + cams. That would put you at your goal of 300hp and would be much more fun. The clutch and rear end can wait. After these power mods you can concentrate on wheels/tires and other fun stuff.

Or as others have said.... 3k is the majority of the way towards a brand new vortech kit on AM.

 

[mransr]

I'd move the shifter to the top of the list, especially if you're going to be removing the trans to swap the c/pp/to...it'd be a good time to change the fluid and put on a new shifter...

and a IMHO changing the x-pipe would make more sense after a new cat-back than before it.

 

[screamin gt]

I say forget the gears and piece together a used vortech kit, everything can be found easilly in the classifieds here. and for the wheels check discounttire.com Ratings, reviews and specifications for Nitto NT 555 Extreme Performance tires for a great price on tires, then ebay for the best price on a rim set. probly just saved you $400 right there. more research equals spending less money

 

[screamin gt]

wow with the rebates and the wheels you wanted for a set of these Wheel Details - Discount Tire Direct with nittos your looking at $1080 for tires/rims mounted balanced and ready to be bolted on. your welcome.

 

[Rusty67]

I'd move the shifter to the top of the list, especially if you're going to be removing the trans to swap the c/pp/to...it'd be a good time to change the fluid and put on a new shifter...

and a IMHO changing the x-pipe would make more sense after a new cat-back than before it.

I agree, move the shifter to the top of the list. I think the best mod for any stick shift car is far and away a good short throw shifter. I really miss my MGW... ever since I put this stupid T56 Magnum in I cry tears of pain every time I shift....... stupid throw is SUPER long.

The clutch kit should come with a new pilot bearing and a throw out bearing, just use the ones in the kit.

 

[Winters98GT]

Put together a used FI kit, and be 100hp ahead of your goals for the same price.