Looking for the best way to improve HP and overall performance. I know that adding a cold air intake is one way. What other ideas are out there?
Best performce mods for the buck: 1. Cold air intake 2. Xcal 3 custom 93 oct tune 3. 3.73 or 4.10 gears 4. aluminum drive shaft. 5. Under drive pullies You do the above mods and you will have one fun car that puts out close to 350hp at the crank (around 300 at the wheels) .
i think some of the vortech and paxton kits are even cheaper... there always that nifty wonder box from zex
Gears, pulleys, CAI, and a good dyno tune. Supercharger installed gonna be about 8-10K once all is said and done, then... you have to have extra $$ to get it to hookup, then trans upgrade, axel upgrade, bottom end when you turn up the boost one time too many (supercharger pulley's are cheap and tempting!!) and then... $$$ Its a rather expensive novelty Gears, pulleys, CAI, good tune, and drag radials will get you in the 12's
You might want to write down a "path" you want to follow for your mods. I made mistake of not doing that. Now, if i want headers I'd have to replace my new x-pipe or pay a lot to have it modified. You've got a 5spd so I'd say go with 4.10 gears. I went with the 3.73s because I've got the 4 speed auto. If you do no other mod, do the gear swap! Don't fear the gear. I could not notice any real drop in mpg. While you are getting the gear in have them install an aluminum driveshaft. My shop didn't even charge for it because they have to pull it anyway to do the gear. It's a mod that can help down the road. I'm ordering a new custom torque converter from Edge Racing next week, and it being factored into the converter build. Exhaust! Make it sound like it should have from the factory. I have the Bassani x-pipe with high-flow cats. Bassani is good but pricey. I'd also recommend MAC if you're on budget. I sorta wish I had saved the cash myself and gone MAC, but my shop is Bassani sponsored and highly recommenced it. Bassani is one of the best for sure. 93 octane tune. I went with Diablo because that's what my shop uses. Go with the one your tuner knows best. If you get under drive pullies, ONLY buy Steeda! The cheap ones can really f*** things up. The cold air intake isn't going to give you big gains; I'd save that mod for later. After all that you can decide if you want to go forced induction or stay N/A. FI will give you the biggest gains far beyond what n/a mods will. N/A is cheaper to do and that is the path I'm on. I'll be ordering cams in the next day or so; and would recommend that for you if you want to stay N/A.
pretty much the recipe for 280-300~rwhp is as follows (on a budget): intake/high octane tune, or/x, violators/flows (w/e too each his own), pulley's. add to that 4.10's and lightdriveshaft and sticky tires with lca/upa... simple no frills fast car. i would add lt's for even more... and better gains on the bottle. wouldnt even both with shorties. worthless IMHO. i'm probably gonna get flamed for saying that but oh well, i know from a few situations they are just gay.
How does your exhaust sound with the Bassani X pipe with cats? I have the Bassani axle back currently and I am thinking about going with the x pipe too. Is it too loud or just right?
Since I'm not going to put on a supercharger, I did add the Steeda CAI and X3 tune -- and I love it! Power doesn't level off anymore after 4,000 rpm, it stays consistent all the way to redline. So now, the car is a whole lot quicker and lots more fun to drive in all gears. The CAI and tune were, for me, great bang for the buck ... so long as I'm not supercharging.
A CAI not giving you big gains? Your idea of HP per buck differs from mine. A CAI and tune will give you 20 to 25 HP at the wheels. That's huge and very noticable. Check out some other threads and boards. A CAI is #1 unless you are going for a supercharger soon.
If you have an auto, get 4:10's..If you have a stick, and you dont plan on any suspension mods for a while, get 3:73's...You should be able to get a Vortech full kit installed and dyno tuned for under $5,000..If the right guy is tuning it you should net 420-440 rwhp(on a mustang dyno too, not a dyno jet which show about a 10% higher rwhp figure)..With 420-440 rwhp, you are safe with your tranny and bottom end of ur motor, again with the right tuner tuning it..
Thanks all for the great advice. I will report back with where I choose to go with some Dyno info. TX
here is a very informative article on how to get your stang in the mid 12's. . with just bolt ons http://www.musclemustangfastfords.com/tech/mmfp_0610_bolt_on_performance_parts/index.html
Meh... I don't like those mag. articles anymore. I'd take the advice of the guys on the forum before I would believe what I read in those things (MM&FF, 5.0 & FF, Modified Mustangs, etc.) My favorites for best bang for the $: 1. CAI + Tuner $600 (ish) = 15-25hp 2. Catless Mid-pipe $150-400 (Aka H-Pipe, X-Pipe, pro chamber) = 5-10Hp 3. 4.10 gears is good for almost a half a second in the 1/4 4. Lower Control Arms + Relocation Brackets $220-320 = No wheel hop and better bite (Prolly a few tenths in the 1/4 and a big improvment in your short times) 5. A pair of New Take Off rims and a set of Drag Radials or cheater slicks $550-600 (Depending on brand/vendor) = Way better short times.
