Getting to know my Mustang

Dkblue98GT · Nov 12, 2009

So I bought my 98 GT a couple of weeks ago and I'm starting to get used to it. I have fixed/ relpaced alot of small things I felt it needed.

So far I have:
Removed the tint
Replaced the door pockets
Replaced the vent registers
Replaced a missing hose clamp on the CAI
Installed floormats
Replaced the broken driving light button
Replaced some missing nuts and bolts in the interior
Replaced the blown passenger door woofer
Installed a Steeda Triax shifter with black shift knob

I also have a relpacement radio/AC bezel coming from Ebay and a Pioneer DEH5100 headunit coming from Crutchfield.

Crutchfield includes an adapter to use the headunit with the Mach 460 amps and speakers and a pocket to go where the factory CD player is.

The car looks and drives like it has been lowered and now I know why, it has an Eibach Prokit with KYB shocks and struts. I need to order some Maximum Motorsports CC plates.

I think I will do Headers
Catted X pipe
King Cobra clutch
PI heads, cams and Manifold
17x9 inch Bullitt or FR500 wheels with 255 and 275 Nitto 555
Bigger sway bars
Rear seat delete
New carpet
3.73 gears and limited slip
I am looking for some leather buckets

I am wondering about subframe connectors and a lowered car, I already hit the converters on tall speed bumps.

Eventually I will also repaint the car, it's been repainted and the paint isn't great.

I am really enjoying this car and looking forward to modding it.

40th GT · Nov 12, 2009

Dkblue98GT said:
So I bought my 98 GT a couple of weeks ago and I'm starting to get used to it. I have fixed/ relpaced alot of small things I felt it needed.

Congrats on the purchase. You can't go wrong with a Mustang.

Dkblue98GT said:
The car looks and drives like it has been lowered and now I know why, it has an Eibach Prokit with KYB shocks and struts. I need to order some Maximum Motorsports CC plates.

MM does make some high quality products, but before you spend any money you should at least get an alignment check first and see if you actually need the plates. If your tire wear looks normal chances are you won't need an alignment or the plates, unless the previous owner swapped the tires right before he sold the car to you.

Dkblue98GT said:
I think I will do Headers
Catted X pipe
King Cobra clutch
PI heads, cams and Manifold
17x9 inch Bullitt or FR500 wheels with 255 and 275 Nitto 555
Bigger sway bars
Rear seat delete
New carpet
3.73 gears and limited slip
I am looking for some leather buckets

I am wondering about subframe connectors and a lowered car, I already hit the converters on tall speed bumps.

Looks like a good list of mods. Just make sure you buy longtube headers as shorties/mid-lengths won't net you much gains.
Good luck and have fun.

twogts4us · Nov 12, 2009

Well congrats - looks like you have a solid plan ahead of you.
I also have Eibach Pro springs and full length subframe connectors - while that is the lowest point on the car, it is much better to scrape the subframe connectors than the exhaust! But I rarely scrape anything - usually just the very large speed bumps...but you can avoid some of that by going over em at an angle.

I'd seriously consider 4.10 gear rather than 3.73 unless you commute 50 miles or so daily. There is a huge difference in pulling power between the two. Trust me, my wife's 01 GT with 4.10s was awesome, but I was considering a blower down the road, so I went with 3.73s - big mistake. I could barely tell the difference from the OEM gears.

And you already have a limited slip differential.

If you do Nittos, realize that they run small...a 315/35 fits very nicely on a 9" rim...see my other recent post with a pic of Nitto DRs with 9" rims on my wife's 01 GT.

Did you buy new vents? Did they come with foam around the outer edge? That deterorates quickly (mine's going south...started 18 months ago...same with my 02 and the 01 GT...Flick on the A/C and foam comes flying out at you. And then the vents start rattling...

BEST OF LUCK AND HAVE FUN!!!

02nightmaregt · Nov 12, 2009

Sounds good man. Definatley go for subframes. Also I second the 4.10's. When your getting them installed If you have the cash, you could always upgrade to a 31 spline diff/axels. If thats too much at least have the diff rebuilt. LT's are the only way to go on these cars so keep that in mind. You have a nice list going already so good luck. Oh also you may want to think about a tuner

mazen189 · Nov 12, 2009

what the heck are door pockets? my 98 doesnt have any pockets

Dkblue98GT · Nov 12, 2009

mazen189 said:
what the heck are door pockets? my 98 doesnt have any pockets

What I meant to say was "Door panel inserts". Thanks for the advice guys!

I didn't know 98's had limited slip rearends.

Good advice about the cc plates. I just joined the local mustang club so I will find a good alignment shop that knows Mustangs

I like the idea of long tube headers, looks like they will be a pain to install.

The Nittos must run small if a 315 will fit on a 9" rim, good to know. American Muscle recommends a 9" rim for a 255, will it fit on an 8" rim?

I am not sure about the 4.10 gears, that may be too low for long road trips. We have a vacation house in Durango about 250 miles away and I will be driving the car up there alot so 3.73 may be a better choice.

I do a lot of road cycling so I am going to make the back panel of the rear seat delete fold down so I can put my bike in back.

Thanks again for all of the good info. I appreciate and welcome your advice.

sneaky98gt · Nov 12, 2009

How does the car ride with that spring/shocks & struts set up? I'm done with my car power wise, and the only thing left that I will (potentially) spend money on would be springs/shocks/struts. Ride quality is an important selling point for me. Curious as to how that setup rides.

-Will

GettinThere · Nov 13, 2009

Good advice above. +3 on the 4.10s, but like you said, you drive a lot of hwy miles so 3.73s might be better for you.

Dkblue98GT said:
I like the idea of long tube headers, looks like they will be a pain to install.

Yes they are, and they may scrape on a lowered car like yours. But they still rock, someday they will be mine...

Dkblue98GT · Nov 13, 2009

sneaky98gt said:
How does the car ride with that spring/shocks & struts set up? I'm done with my car power wise, and the only thing left that I will (potentially) spend money on would be springs/shocks/struts. Ride quality is an important selling point for me. Curious as to how that setup rides.

-Will

The ride is stiff but not uncomfortable. I have never ridden in a stock SN95 so I can't say how it compares to stock.

I will say that this car corners really well and is a blast to drive. I drove it to Santa Fe today and really enjoyed it. 90-95mph most of the way.

Getting to know my Mustang

Dkblue98GT

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