I have an 08' GT, looking for some input on low cost mods such as airbox, exhaust, etc. I am saying low cost since supercharger would be nice but costly. Thanks!
stick with the usual suspects, cold air intake, and tuner, I have an 07 and exhaust really is only for changing the sound, the factory exhaust is very efficient. if you do get exhaust then get the axle back mufflers only. if you do a cold air kit look here http://www.brothersperformance.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/730/products_id/4943 i bought one of these "blemished" parts and saved about $100. the blemish on mine is that there are some imperfections in the casting that are visible.... still works fine and i dont plan on showing the car so its perfect for me.
The tuners reprogram the car's computer. Its a rather common modification for the S197's. Ford's stock airbox uses a flat square filter. The combo of the cold air and tuner (between $500 and 700) will net between 20 and 30 horsepower on an otherwise stock vehicle, depending on who you talk to. Like JC said, axleback exhaust is another common mod, but you won't see much in the way of a horsepower increase on these cars. I purchased the SLP Loudmouths (which is basically a muffler delete kit - the tips are "resonators" supposedly) for just over $300, but if you want to keep the full mufflers, I don't think it will cost you a whole lot more than that to purchase a kit.
You can do a muffler delete with an o/r H, it sounds good on the S197's. It will be less than $400 for the combo. Here's a clip http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18zFLY5EnS4
So the Ford Racing cold air box comes with the tuner? It states 40HP increase, maybe generous but that is not bad for $800 bucks. Anyone have done this mod yet? I was thinking nitrous also, since the superchargers are like $5K.
Hmm I think I misunderstood you before with the Ford cold air box. The Ford cold air kit is similar to the one shown, but won't get you 40 hp. Most I've heard anyone claim (on an otherwise stock vehicle) is 30. Do you have a link for the product to which you are referring?
the ford kit that comes with the tuner is ok i guess, it is the same thing that shelby puts on the Shelby GT cars (but charges you ALOT more for it). the ford tuner is a self contained tune from ford and allows 0 user input, I would go with an aftermarket one that allows for more changes. if you have an automatic you can adjust shift points and firmness . you can make changes for tire size and rear gears personally i would go with an aftermarket tuner and cold air intake.
^:Word: Like said you can do so much more with a aftermarket tuner. The JLT Intake kit is great and comes with a SCT tuner. I heard the kit works well on the S197's.
I'd go with a JLT II Intake + Tuner kit from either Bamachips (my choice) or Brenspeed for little over 500 dollars and you get 30 HP or so and an improvement in driveability (read less throttle lag). That's the best bang for the buck if you ask me. Personally I think the car has great power / sound from the factory so I'd look into suspension modifications which refine the car's handling AND power delivery. Some mods in this department can be had for less then 300 and will do wonders for the driving feel.
Thats my combo! Car is 100% Stock (including 17" Pirellis) otherwise. Check my Sig for results. The air was 600' Worse when I ran the CAI/Tune and Im comparing an all time best vs one day at the track. In otherwords I think the difference is actually understated! A CAI/Tune is the best bang for the buck on these cars! If you live where you dont have emissions testing I would consider a Pypes Off-Road H for $174 Shipped from Brenspeed. This will net around 8rwhp and is the most restrictive part of the factory exhaust An X-pipe will get you about 2rwhp more but makes it sound like a foreign car. The factory mufflers flow very well and are actually pretty aggressive without Cats. To me the ORH + Factory Mufflers has the best "tone" of any system you can get. The other real bang for the buck is gears. 4.10s are worth 3/10 on a 5spd. 4.30 is even better for a manual but pretty much requires Drag Radials. I dont think I would want to exceed 4.10 on an Auto due to their slightly shorter 5th Gear. Most of the other stuff like pulleys (2rwhp) or CMCV Deletes (6rwhp) are jsut finw tuning. I really think the CMCV Deletes work best on cars with gears anyway. Aluminuim Driveshaft is nice but expensive ($500). It does drop 20+ lb of driveline weight and get rid of the two-piece clunk. Usaully good for around 0.10-0.15 in the 1/4. There is also the aluminum flywheel is you ever change the clutch. Stocker weighs nearly 40 lb!
Nope, only you control the desired settings you want. It only has a negative effect if you add to much or little of timing, fuel, etc. If you don't know how to tune your car, have someone else who can do it for you. Or you can just use the custom tune that the tuner has in it already.
+1,,,, plus you will often an improvement in gas mileage simply from the engine running more efficiently.
So my question is... If you can make your car faster and more fuel efficient... Why doesnt Ford just do that right out of the factory initially?
