Need Help With Gt Improvement

[Chenaniah]

Just bought a 96 GT and would love to have it running as best as it can. Im not loaded with money so these modifications can't be ridiculous and I'm also learning. Just wanna know the best way to increase power and acceleration. (Shes an automatic, btw.)

Thanks

P.S. Use laymans terms if you can, I'm seriously just learning.

 

[RaggedGT]

First things first, I see that you are New here so- Welcome to Stangnet
As far as modding your car.. I would start with the basics:
Change the oil and filter
Change the spark plugs
Change the fuel filter
Change the transmission fluid and filter
Check and lube the ballpoints,bushings,sway bar links etc.
Go over everything and make sure the car is as healthy as it can be before adding aftermarket parts.
Simple beginner and some what budget friendly mods would be adding a drop in K&N filter or buying a complete cold air kit.
Changing the exhaust to a catted H or X pipe with which ever brand cat back exhaust you like.
You can bump the power up a little with a hand held tuner.

A new set of rear gears will wake that car up a lot too lol..

Again welcome to Stangnet

 

[Chenaniah]

First things first, I see that you are New here so- Welcome to Stangnet
As far as modding your car.. I would start with the basics:
Change the oil and filter
Change the spark plugs
Change the fuel filter
Change the transmission fluid and filter
Check and lube the ballpoints,bushings,sway bar links etc.
Go over everything and make sure the car is as healthy as it can be before adding aftermarket parts.
Simple beginner and some what budget friendly mods would be adding a drop in K&N filter or buying a complete cold air kit.
Changing the exhaust to a catted H or X pipe with which ever brand cat back exhaust you like.
You can bump the power up a little with a hand held tuner.

A new set of rear gears will wake that car up a lot too lol..

Again welcome to Stangnet

Thanks a lot man! I was on American Muscle and I was like "man, I honestly don't know where to start!"

My first mustang was an 03 V6, but this is my first GT and I want to have fun with it. What are some good rear gears?

 

[Dark04GT]

Agree with above basic maintenance..... additional basic maintenance:
-Flush and replace all fluids (if they haven't been replaced recently): brake, coolant, oil, transmission, and rear end.
-good tires (get a good set of performance street tires, nitto 555's are a popular cost effective summer tire for your power level)
-brake pads / rotors (if required, for pads go with ceramic / similar street friendly options unless you plan on doing some serious braking)
-check all under hood hoses and ignition wires (feeding spark plugs)
-cover all the maintenance for your miles.

First mod after all your basic maintenance is completed - I would do basic suspension mods to make your mustang drive better and plant power to the ground. I have done all sorts of boltons and still find suspension mods are the most worthwhile 'gift that keeps on giving'
1) chassis bracing- mustangs flex and groan all over the place- brace all the weak points and your car will feel excellent, if you can't afford all the components of this link then at least get full length subframe connectors and get them welded in by a reputable shop: http://www.maximummotorsports.com/Chassis-Brace-Package-1996-97-Mustang-HT-GT-P307.aspx
2) shocks / struts / quads (your ride quality will drastically improve because these are likely completely worn out). I recommend bilstein shocks/struts/quads.
3) then start adding things to your liking like exhaust, additional suspension components (springs, caster camber plates, bumpsteer kit, etc)

 

[Neuron]

Thanks a lot man! I was on American Muscle and I was like "man, I honestly don't know where to start!"

My first mustang was an 03 V6, but this is my first GT and I want to have fun with it. What are some good rear gears?

3.73 if you drive a lot of freeway, 4.10 if mostly street driven. Obviously mileage will suffer depending on how you drive it. Tranny cooler will make the tranny live longer and take some load off of the engine cooling system, deeper gears will work your tranny harder. Good time to go through the parts in there that are marginal especially the posi unit.

 

[XxApolloxX97]

The best bang for your buck right away would be a set of PI heads with the manifold to match. They shouldn't be too much they're fairly cheep since they were on so many Ford vehicles maybe $400. But I agree with everyone a tuneup should be your first priority.