Bought another Stang, but.....

[02Vert]

I got an 02 Vert, 4.6 and I guess it is the fact that I have been driving around in my 93 with a 393, but this thing just feels sluggish and a little weak. A F150 tried me today at a light, and had me all the way through 3rd gear. With me not being very familliar with the mod motors, what would be the best way to squeeze another 20-30 hp out of this thing while trying to stay as stock as I can. I have a fast one already, I just dont like this nice vert being all show and no go. Any of those lil mod motor tweaks would be great.

I guess I should tell you it is absolutely bone stock, EVERYTHING! 02 Convertible, 5spd.


Thanks in advance.

 

[Tim2002GT]

Try an offroad midpipe and maybe either an SCT XCal II or a Diablosport Predator handheld tuner. That should add 10-20 hp. If you do get an XCal II, get it from Modular Powerhouse. They are considered one of the best mod motor tuners out there. Of course, 3.73's or 4.10's will help alot too!

Sadly, horsepower doesn't come cheap with the mod motors!

 

[flipnsac]

Not necessarily in this order but these are the basic bolt-ons that will add some performance. The actual amount of "giddy-up" improvement varies with each car, product and brand name. Here are some samples too. There are various other brands and prices out there too:

1. Headers http://www.jbaheaders.com/cat4ward.asp

2. Exhaust http://www.magnaflow.com/01home.asp

3. Upper plenum http://www.americanmuscle.com/ac70plfor4.html

4. Throttle body http://www.accufabracing.com/throttle_bodies.htm

5. Underdrive pullies http://www.stangnet.com/tech/pulley46.html

6. Tuner (Predator, SCT, etc.) http://www.autoanything.com/performance-chips/61A1907A0A0.aspx

7. Gears http://www.americanmuscle.com/fopege3ra1.html

8. Cold Air Intake http://www.autoanything.com/air-intakes/61A1914A0A0.aspx?kc=G16338&&s_kwcid=fipk|682116248

With a vert, I also highly recommend full length subframe connectors. http://www.v8power.com/cgi-bin/ccp51/cp-app.cgi?pg=prod&ref=MMSFL3B

 

[Superhereaux]

if an F150 kept up with you maybe you need to recalibrate your "driver mod"

if i had a 5spd vert i'd start off with these:

1) 4.10's (coming from the pushrod world these are on the extreme side of the spectrum, Welcome to Modulars)

2) shifter (with the gears you'll be shifting more, this is the one you want)

3) exhaust (midpipe and catback)

though the first two don't add power they will make the biggest difference in the way the car drives over any other mod short of a supercharger

 

[twogts4us]

if an F150 kept up with you maybe you need to recalibrate your "driver mod"

well give the truck its props - it is a torque monster and they can be a b1tch off the line. With a stock 5 spd vert, I'd bet he had a hard time.

Gears will give you the biggest bang for the buck - go with 4.10s. I've got both 3.73 and 4.10 and wish they were both 4.10. 3.73 is nice, 4.10 is perfect.
You'll need your speedo corrected, so I'd do a tuner - either Diablo or SCT - ck what your local tuners use - that'll be what you want. Both are good products.
Exhaust - catback first, then midpipe.
Shifter...you know this stuff already probably - pro 5.0, steeda or that other one these guys get high on
An aftermarket plenum and throttle body really woke mine up above 3K RPMs.

Best of luck...

 

[02Vert]

I already pulled the air silencer off, and was thinking of an off road x-pipe next or whatever the modular motor version of that would be. I have alot of learning to do now since I have always had cam-in-block engines. I guess now is a good time to start.

 

[Mustang5L5]

I got an 02 Vert, 4.6 and I guess it is the fact that I have been driving around in my 93 with a 393, but this thing just feels sluggish and a little weak. A F150 tried me today at a light, and had me all the way through 3rd gear. With me not being very familliar with the mod motors, what would be the best way to squeeze another 20-30 hp out of this thing while trying to stay as stock as I can. I have a fast one already, I just dont like this nice vert being all show and no go. Any of those lil mod motor tweaks would be great.

I guess I should tell you it is absolutely bone stock, EVERYTHING! 02 Convertible, 5spd.


Thanks in advance.

You are right, when you come from a 5.0 (especially a modified one) the 4.6L feels sluggish.

With a stock 4.6, you gotta learn to keep the RPM's up high. Under 2500RPM there is really nothing. If you are going to jump on it and go WOT in a gear, you better be turning at least 3000RPMs or it will feel slow as hell.

You kinda gotta drive it like it's an import

 

[ADRENLN]

i plenum and t/b, x pipe, catback, and cai brought me from 225 rwhp to 241rwhp. that sounds like what you are looking for. then just throw in some gears.

these are all little mods that should not hurt anything and can be turned back easilyif need be.

 

[mransr]

You kinda gotta drive it like it's an import

I prefer to think of it as driving it like it was a Cleveland

 

[02Vert]

I definately have alot of learning to do. I am not familliar at all with mod motors, I know the old cam-in-block motors like the back of my hand, and will learn these overhead cams soon I guess. I have noticed more power in the higher rpm range than the lower, but this is still hard to get used to. My 92 with the 393 stroker is alot stronger, much faster throttle response, and tons of power throughout the rpm range. This car is my dd though and I dont want to make many upgrades. I need more sound more than anything. I already pulled the air silencer, and I am looking at some of the off road pipes as I dont have emissions to worry about here in South Georgia. I will not install flowmasters on this one as every Mustang in sight has them. I am kinda stuck between Borla and Bassani. I am pretty sure I'll get 10-15 hp off of an off road pipe and muffler package from either of those. I dont even know where there is a good tuner around here if I want to change anything you guys have recommended. Maybe a drive up to Atlanta would help me there.


Thanks for all the help and I'll let you all know of the pregress as it goes.

 

[urban96]

since your in georgia go to www.modularpowerhouse.com