• Mustang Forums
  • 2005 - 2014 S-197 Mustang -General/Talk-

Best Mods For The Money

  • Thread starter Thread starter blucobra03
  • Start date Start date Mar 27, 2015
B

blucobra03

Member
Jun 23, 2002
41
1
6
Titusville, FL
Mar 27, 2015
#1
  • Mar 27, 2015
  • #1
I have a 2012 Mustang GT with 402 miles on it. I bought it new, but it has been in my garage since day one. I had a 1996 Mustang GT that I had modded when we bought it new and was using it as my daily driver. I sold it last week purposely to force me to drive the 2012. Well, it's gone so I need some help determining what mods to install on the 2012. I would like to get some feedback on the best combination of exhaust, CAI and tune for these Coyote motor cars. I have the 6 speed with 3:73 gears. I'm not planning to install headers, but good to go on cat back. I also want it to have a good sound, but not to the point where all I hear is the exhaust while driving down the road. My 96 Mustang GT had Flowmaster exhaust (American Thunder) and it was perfect. When I hit the throttle, it lets you know, but when cruising you couldn't really hear much in the cabin. I had a full Bassani on an 03 Cobra I had a few years ago and it sounded good too. Especially when that supercharger was wound up. But that was a different motor like the coyote is. So, I need something that sounds good on the 5.0. Anyway, with all the experience here, I'm hoping to get some good ideas and maybe horsepower/torque numbers from the various mods you recommend. Thanks guys !!
 

Paul G

Active Member
Jun 10, 2013
106
11
29
Mar 27, 2015
#2
  • Mar 27, 2015
  • #2
Ok, no one has bit yet so I'll take a stab...

After doing a lot of research on what I like and didn't like, I went with the Borla ATAK cat-backs. I was pretty much sold after watching the product video. At idle she has a nice "wub-wub-wub-wub" , no hollow drone and is not offensive. The ATAK was designed for the 5.0 but they fine tuned it for the 4.6's as well. When you put the foot down, it's pretty darn sweet. The exhaust note even seems to get better over time as it's breaking in.

For CAI, I went with the Air Raid... Again, I reviewed all the products on AM and went with the one that got the best reviews.
I went with the one that didn't require a tune... which comes with a venturi that can be removed if you decide to throw down a tune. I didn't tune the car, yet... but if I did, I'd probably go with Bama, again from AM.

Check out the video..
 

Paul G

Active Member
Jun 10, 2013
106
11
29
Mar 27, 2015
#3
  • Mar 27, 2015
  • #3
p.s. I did the in the tunnel thing like he did... and OMG...
 

Sharad

ALWAYS choose the V over the P!!! Wait... what?
Jan 5, 2011
1,562
480
94
Fort Myers, Florida
Mar 27, 2015
#4
  • Mar 27, 2015
  • #4
You didn't mention suspension, but that's a great mod for the coyote cars!
 
B

blucobra03

Member
Jun 23, 2002
41
1
6
Titusville, FL
Mar 29, 2015
#5
  • Mar 29, 2015
  • #5
Thanks for the recommendation Paul G. I have to admit that car did sound bad to the bone going through the tunnel. As I'm here in Florida, there are no tunnels I'm aware of, but a trip northbound during the summer wouldn't be out of the question. And thank you UPR for the suspension aspect. As a long time drag racer, I couldn't agree more with the suspension being a key element to the cars capabilities. You can have all the power you want, but if you can't hook up or hang in the turn, it's a lost cause. I have purchased from UPR in the past, and you guys always took good care of me so expect more to come. Anyone else have other exhaust, CAI recommendations ? Also, what about the Boss manifold as opposed to the Cobra Jet ? I do plan to get a tune with these mods, so if a different manifold will help, let me know. Thanks again guys !
 
Reactions: Sharad

Sharad

ALWAYS choose the V over the P!!! Wait... what?
Jan 5, 2011
1,562
480
94
Fort Myers, Florida
Mar 29, 2015
#6
  • Mar 29, 2015
  • #6
Airaid is the most popular CAI. If you're keeping the stock headers and h-pipe, I'd go with roush mufflers. (they have good sound) But if you're adding an offroad x-pipe, you might consider mufflers which are more tame, like GT500 or Magnaflow Street.
 
S

speed_demon2015

Member
Mar 30, 2015
8
1
13
Mar 30, 2015
#7
  • Mar 30, 2015
  • #7
Best initial modifications for a coyote car are mufflers and tires - I ran a 275/40/19 Hankook Ventus V12 tires on track pack wheels on my 11 GT. The difference between those and stock tires was night and day. I could actually hook in 2nd. After that, start on the suspension - I recommend stiffening up the rear first to eliminate/reduce wheel hop.

Just my 2 cents.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

M
12 mustang gt check charging battery light
  • millerj7950$
  • Jan 24, 2026
  • 2005 - 2014 S-197 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
1
Views
182
2005 - 2014 S-197 Mustang -General/Talk- May 14, 2026
BossHorseGirl
B
B
97 GT with 03 explorer Eddie Bauer edition 4.6l
  • basbill73
  • May 10, 2026
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
2
Views
66
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- May 11, 2026
squeak93
D
What's it Worth? 2006 Mustang GT Convertable
  • doc0075579
  • Mar 2, 2026
  • What is it Worth?!?!?
Replies
0
Views
222
What is it Worth?!?!? Mar 2, 2026
doc0075579
D
S
Just Bought a 2012 GT stick shift with Roush Supercharger.
  • SuperCharged_Coyote
  • Jun 24, 2025
  • The Welcome Wagon
Replies
1
Views
225
The Welcome Wagon Jun 24, 2025
SuperCharged_Coyote
S
L
Help with 1986 GT 5 Speed Please
  • Lcasada1999
  • Mar 20, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
7
Views
262
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Jun 21, 2026
CAMTWO1070
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 2005 - 2014 S-197 Mustang -General/Talk-
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?