Finally have some money

[AquamanCHS]

It would appear that I've come into a decent sum of money (more than $8k). However, being that I'm a minor, it's not my money to do whatever I want with, so I'm compromising with my parents to allow me ~$2k to do what I want with. So, this opens up a whole bunch of new avenues for mods.

Basically, I'm pretty set on doing the PI headswap to start, so I've got some questions:

I know kits are out there to be had for ~$1,300 ish, but that seems a bit high, so I look on eBay and I see nearly entire kits sold for significantly less ($500, anyone?). Are these kits safe to buy or am I asking for trouble by not buying new?
Are there any compatibility issues (Romeo, Windsor)?
How much am I looking at for installation?
Anything else I should know?

Also, what should I do post PI-swap? I'm looking at exhaust but I've yet to find a setup I like for a good price. There's also the TB/Plenum combo.

Basically, I'd love to be significantly faster than a stock 99+ GT after all is said and done.

 

[03gtmustang]

Post PI swat, gears, plenum/tb, full exhaust...

 

[mrvax]

You will have to find a company with a good reputation (maybe here on SN) and either do the install with friends or a good shop. It costs quite a bit of cash but is worth it. I also agree on getting gears & a Dallas SpeedCal to go along with them.

 

[AquamanCHS]

You will have to find a company with a good reputation (maybe here on SN)

Speaking of which.. anyone know of any in the DC Metro area? N VA, specifically.

 

[DerekStangGT]

first of all bro, you gotta get persuasive and talk your parents into letting you have more of the money (that is, if it is really yours, and youre just too young) i say build your engine first and get it nice and strong. PI heads are a good idea, but maybe a bit more if you can find a deal on some cheap, but better flowing heads. definitly some nice cams also. ive heard VT makes some nice engine parts for modulars. check everything out, but lately im beginning to lean more towards saving for the big mods (like forged internals) rather than saving for small bolt-ons like a tb/plenum combo, but thats just me. have fun spendin Mr. Franklin!!

 

[AquamanCHS]

The money was given to me but I'm letting them reserve some by choice. The rest will go into savings for more more worthwhile ventures than car mods (college, for one).

 

[AquamanCHS]

bump.. I know some of you people have info about PI headswaps

 

[WhiteDevil69]

bump.. I know some of you people have info about PI headswaps

Y dont you just get a used blower kit? I mean the PI swap would be nice but usually people dont do blower instead because they dont have 2000 all at once... I think you will find a much better gain with a vortech or a ATI on there. Then you add the exhaust and that car is gonna be NICE

 

[2002BLGT]

do the PI swap first of all , money well spent , 1300 is not bad as long as its a COMPLETE (key word) kit . check on modulardepot.com under ford parts section , randy might give you a better price there , he has a good reputation and is cheap on shipping usually . Another route you might look into would be the livernois PI intake swap kit for 650 and then find some low mileage PI cams from someone thats done a cam swap , 2000 is shy of blower money though for sure , especially considering a dyno tune which will be a must with any blower . another idea you might not have thought about would be a PI motor swap since if you car is a 98 or older it might already have some miles on it , I have seen PI motors range from 900 to 1600 bucks , so you should be able to afford a used motor with alot less miles than you probably have on yours now .

 

[HIGDON]

That deal on ebay is a damn good deal, if you an get it for that price I would grab that for sure. I got my heads for $200 but I'm still piecing the rest of the stuff for the swap together. I'm also doing longtubes at the same time so the wait to get it all together is killing me! Just ask yourself where you want to go with your car, realistically! Sure you may think you want a 500HP car but it's best to start with a reasonable goal (mine is 300RWHP N/A and then a 150-200 shot of nitrous for the track) then set your mind to what you think is the best way to get there.

 

[AquamanCHS]

Thanks for the reply folks. Anyone got more info on a used blower or perhaps where I would find one? The engine swap sounds interesting, also.. any more info on that?