First Mods on Monday? Advice???

[reeber]

My completely stock 1996 GT (with '99 Cobra Wheels) will undergo surgery next week.

1. 3:73 Gears
2. MAC H Pipe w/cats and MAC Cat back system
3. MAC fender well cold air kit
4. Pro 5.0 shifter
5. Custom chip to be programmed by mechanic
6. Eibach Pro-Kit Springs

Is this a good start? How much horsepower should I get???? I am new to this. Any advice would be a huge help!! I am strictly going by what my mechanic tells me. He is a very well Mustang specialist in my area. So, I am really relying on his expertise. Anyone???

 

[CottonBurnerz]

Did you already bought all of the parts mentioned above?

The only items that I see that will give you more hp are the H pipe/cat back and the chip. CAI might give you +.1 if you're lucky

Anyhow,

1. ditch the mac CAI
2. do the chip after you've done all the power mod you wanted
3. get exhaust setup that you like best... (there's many combination out there)

and lastly... what are your goals? I would recommend the PI swap

 

[reeber]

I am looking to eventually show the car. If I race it at all, I am looking to Roadrace, not 1/4 mile. I have done plenty of that in my past and am looking for a new rush. I want the car to be streetable. My horsepower goal is 400 and I want it to look perfect to the eye as well. This is stage one..

 

[Dark Knight GT]

As far as hp/tq numbers go, you will see probably between the area of 12-18rwhp gain and similar numbers in torque IF the mechanic programs the custom chip correctly. Maybe a bit more. When he programs the car, be sure to increase the ignition timing by about 4 or 5 degrees. This will give some nice power gains as well. If he does this, expect to see closer to the 18rwhp mark than the 12. Most of the gains will be from the Mac exhuast parts. They give good power. I know. If you see my signature below, you'll know I'm very experienced with Mac parts lol.

The gears however, will probably give you the biggest benefit. They will make you feel like you've gained another 20hp. Although they dont give any power, they allow the motor to rev more freely and get you into your power band faster. The short throw shifter will come in handy as this will give you quicker shifts with the new gears. You should like the combo.

The springs are mainly going to give the car a bit of a drop. You may notice the ride condition will change as you will "feel" the road more than you did before.

The only problem I see is the Mac cold air intake. I dont think you're going to see great benefits from it as any metal intake absorbs more heat than a plastic intake. The K&N would have been better. Trust me, Ive had both a BBK cold air intake(which is very similar to the MAC) on my car as well as the K&N setup. So far, I like the K&N FIPK system better.

 

[Dark Knight GT]

I am looking to eventually show the car. If I race it at all, I am looking to Roadrace, not 1/4 mile. I have done plenty of that in my past and am looking for a new rush. I want the car to be streetable. My horsepower goal is 400 and I want it to look perfect to the eye as well. This is stage one..

If youre looking for 400hp, you'll need to go boosted and possibly do a Port injected head swap for the 99+ cylinder head setup. Although I think it would be possible to generate 400 flywheel hp just off boost, bolt-ons, and a good dyno tune.

 

[reeber]

I haven't bought any of these yet, but it was only recommended as a start by my mechanic. He said the CAI would look nice for shows.

 

[reeber]

My mechanic actually guaranteed me 400 HP if I put a blower on it.. He loves the Vortec... I am planning to have that done at the end of April.

 

[Dark Knight GT]

I haven't bought any of these yet, but it was only recommended as a start by my mechanic. He said the CAI would look nice for shows.

Well, it might look good for shows, but will be poor in terms of power gains. I guess its your call there. Personally, I think youre better off investing the money twords a supercharger. Not only will it look nice under the hood, but will give great gains in power.

 

[CottonBurnerz]

BBK CAI looks nice also... but if you're going for 400 fly wheel hp.. then you have to go with power adder route..

 

[SANZ]

Please do not waste your money on a POS CAI. Instead send me the $169 and you will probably see about the same hp gain . Seriously, I would go with the Mac Prochamber rather than the h-pipe.

 

[reeber]

That is interesting you said that.. I was looking at the prochamber, and it is more expensive, but tests have shown no additional horsepower compared to the H pipe. You guys are talking me out of the CAI. That's why I ask!! I appreciate all of your help guys!! I should post a before picture of what my car looks like now... Then post the finished product when it's finished in 2 months.. I just don't know how..

 

[reeber]

So after I complete this next week, what would be next? How would you guys increase HP before the blower. Head swap? Pully's? Throttle Body? Plenum? Remember.. I am new!! I can't see how pullies could make that much of a difference though..

 

[Dark Knight GT]

Pullies work by slowing the rate at which the accessory belt runs. Thus, freeing up hp and tq.

If youre going the supercharger route, then dont invest in u/d pullies for they cant work with the supercharger. A larger throttle body will be good with a supercharger, but not recommended for n/a applications. The Plenum would be a good investment. If you can afford to go deep enough, Ide go for the Bullit intake instead of the plenum. Of course, I think you'll need the PI heads for the Bullit intake.

Here is what I recommend if you decide to supercharger.

Supercharger
PI headswap(not neccessary but will help greatly in power gains)
Exhuast work
K&N air filter
NGK Iridium plugs
3.73 gears
Dyno tune
Sticky tires

 

[BlackArtemis]

don't forget suspension, how many 400hp mustangs are running 13's becuase they leave the stock suspension :/

I plan on putting like 2k into suspension before i even get close to getting boost.

 

[RonnieDiaz99GT]

Hey buddy I can help ya and i live in NJ...I also have connections with all the top shops and can save you some loot. Ask or look around andyou'll find out I wont steer you wrong and in long run save some nice moolah for ya