First time stang owner

rwl_1969 said:

Ok, I am a first time Mustang owner and have never built a ford before or a car with a computer.

I just bought a 2004 Mustang GT 5 speed car. I have read a lot on this web site and looking for the best performance modifications for the car.

The first thing I want to do is the exhaust. I know I want to use the short tube or a mid-tube header, who makes the best header for this car. I also am wondering which to use the H-pipe or X-pipe, with the high flow cats. Is there a 3 inch exhaust system, or should I stay with a 2.5. I will more then likely use a 2 chamber flowmaster muffler.

I am going to put a short through shifter in it, and Aluminum driveshaft.

I am also wondering who makes the best cold air intake and which throttle body 70 or 75 mm. What size of injectors, and who has the best supper chip.

I do not want to change my rear gears, as I do like the RPM range now. I do intend on upgrading the suspension also, but that it pretty straight forward.

This is new ground for me as I have never built a car with a computer before, so it should be interesting to see how it turns out for me. Thanks in advance for your help and tips.

Ronnie

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Welcome.

Dont waste your money on a cold air or injectors. The cold air doesnt do squat except look good and you wont max the injectors without internal mods. I am not sure on the short or mid headers but bassani makes a great X pipe. Stay 2.5 inch exhaust and get gears. You fuel mileage wont change if you keep your foot out of it and its the best bang for the buck mod. Under drive pulleys are a good mod also.

You really wont need to spend money on a chip unless you get into cams or other serious mods but if you feel the need to go to www.modulardepot.com and talk to kenB. They use SCT and are pros at it.

Just one more piece of advice do not mess with the mass airflow sensor unless you put a blower on it. A N/A 4.6 mustang will not max out the maf and its not a restriction. For more info on the maf read here.

http://forums.modulardepot.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=25092&highlight=MAF+replacement
Good luck

Yes, the MAF is rated up to 400HP or around there before it starts restricting.

Usually people dont do exhaust until other mods are out of the way - unless you are going for the sound of it (like a lot of people ). HP gains are pretty minimal for how much you pay for a whole exhaust setup.

If you are planning on a short shifter and an alluminum driveshaft, you might as well go for the gears. It really should be the first upgrade, as I hear. In fact, there is a thread with around 8 movies of a guy driving his 4.10's around, to show that there is no loss in driveability. On the plus side, you get a lot of speed and accleration. Technically by gear ratio's, you have a lower top speed, but there a few people who want to go faster than 130+. It is a common misconception that the gears lower your power in the upper mph ranges. That is not true, since the gears actually bring the Mustang INTO a better power band in the gears. There is a speed limiter at 145 anyways

Cold air intake is a hot subject, many say its not worth anything. In a Cobra, some intakes give some people as much as 15+RWHP, but thats with a 4v 4.6 + Blower. There are a few good intakes out there, and you have to be careful in choosing to prevent leaning out your air/fuel mixture, and to actually gain horsepower (a lot aparently dont).

I think suspension is a way overlooked topic in Mustang owners. Truth is, the suspension in a Mustang is pretty bad, and improving it gives you speed and safety. Suspension puts your power to the ground, and the more of the power you put to the ground, the faster you can go, safely.
Do you plan on using your car as a drag only or straight line only car?
If so, there are still suspension improvements to bring those speeds up, without even touching your engine. Suspension is a big part of the Mustang's life

http://www.miracerros.com/mustang/t_suspension.htm

There is a good overview of the Mustang suspension; what it is, downfalls, how to fix, and what to watch for

As far as chips go, people like the Predator because its user-tunable. Another popular brand is SCT, but is not user tunable. SCT is given more credit by some of the more experiance guys though

Good luck!

FalconGuy016 said:

Yes, the MAF is rated up to 400HP or around there before it starts restricting.

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Negative. It is not a restriction it is only a problem when you max out the voltage at 4.86v. Read. http://forums.modulardepot.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=25092&highlight=MAF+replacement
.

FalconGuy016 said:

Technically by gear ratio's, you have a lower top speed, but there a few people who want to go faster than 130+. It is a common misconception that the gears lower your power in the upper mph ranges. That is not true, since the gears actually bring the Mustang INTO a better power band in the gears. There is a speed limiter at 145 anyways

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The top speed in 4th with stock gears is 160 ish the top in 5th with 4.10's is 160ish. Whether or not you hit that speed who cares but the top is the same.
The only speed limited cars are the ones that were origionally equipped with 16inch wheels and those are limited to 130.

Welcome and Congrats on your new toy!!

Look into JBA headers, and Magnaflow midpipe and Catback systems. As stated above, gears are by far the best bang for your buck on a N/A Stang. Steeda makes a great short throw shifter. Next, underdrive pullies and some lowering springs (about 1 -1 1/2 inch drop) Will start you off in the right direction!! Have fun modding!!

~Dan