My 2000 GT project..(blower/tune/mods)

[Trav4011]

Just want to say.. great forum, and a lot of good info here! I'm new to the Mustang world.. as of new week, I'll be taking delivery of a 2000 GT. The car has 90K on the odometer, but, it's had 4.10's in it for the last 2 years.. The owner never had the speedo recalibrated. Here's a few pics of the car..

It's got 4.10's, steeda triax, off-road H, flowmaster's, and intake. I'm going to keep the stock T45 for now..

I've been building imports for about 5 years.. (nissan), so I have a pretty good grasp on engine tech, tuning, etc.. I've built/owned several 500+whp 240's, Sentra's, etc.. I just wanted to try something different.. so, I decided on a Mustang. I chose this platform, because it's relatively cheap to have, and parts are pretty reasonable as well.

I'm going to go ahead and freshen up the engine when I get the car.. I was looking at doing a set of forged pistons/rods, new bearings, rings, seals, valvestem seals, etc.. How strong is the stock 4.6 crankshaft? My goal is around 450-500whp on pump gas. Should I get a forged crank, or is the stocker up to snuff?

Next thing.. there's a lot of debate on which blowers work the best, and I've done a ton of reading on all of them. From you guys' experience, what's the best centrifugal to go with to get to my power goals? I'd like to get one with a aftercooler.

And the last question... what's the best tuning sollution that's on the market? I'd like to tune the car myself.. I plan on running 42lb injectors, and Lightning MAF.. plus 255lph pump.

Thanks for the help..

Travis

 

[rebelleader]

I cant help you with all of your questions, but I believe the stock cast Crank is only rated to handle under 400hp. Since you plan on going way over that number, I would opt for the forged Cobra crank.

When it comes to tuners there basically are two major players. DiabloSport Predator, SCT X-Cal II. I own a Predator, but would recommend an X-Cal for you. I think X-Cal now has professional tuning software available that lets you infinitaly tune your vehicle. With the predator you can only tune the car within certain preset parameters.

Hope this helps

 

[FalconGuy016]

Welcome A lot of those questions can be answered around your budget. I think you may like the mustang but may be disappointed in it's handling coming from the import world. But there are endless things you can do with that as well.

http://www.maximummotorsports.com/ -Pretty much the leader in Mustang suspension, as well as generally the most expensive. Just something I saw you didn't address in your Mustang quest I thought I'd point out

Oh, and have you thought about KenneBell?

 

[tomustang]

http://www.maximummotorsports.com/ -Pretty much the leader in Mustang suspension, as well as generally the most expensive.

not really expensive, you are buying quality pieces at a good price

 

[Trav4011]

I cant help you with all of your questions, but I believe the stock cast Crank is only rated to handle under 400hp. Since you plan on going way over that number, I would opt for the forged Cobra crank.

When it comes to tuners there basically are two major players. DiabloSport Predator, SCT X-Cal II. I own a Predator, but would recommend an X-Cal for you. I think X-Cal now has professional tuning software available that lets you infinitaly tune your vehicle. With the predator you can only tune the car within certain preset parameters.

Hope this helps

The X-Cal looks like a nice option.. I'll have to check that out. Thanks!

Travis

 

[03ghoststang]

and as far as the fuel pump goes try getting the 03-04 Cobra tank and fuel pumps reliable pumps for forced induction. The tank has baffles so the gas wont be splashing everywhere like th GT tank would.....

 

[Trav4011]

damn.. cool, they've thought of everything on that car.. Too bad it's 30K used..

Travis

 

[TacBear]

For 500 hp (I am assuming thats RWHP) you need:

Forged Shortblock
Paxton Novi 2000 w/A/A intercooler
14# pulley
SCT Xcalibrator w/ custom dyno tune
Anderson Power Pipe
42# Injectors
NGK BR7EF plugs gapped at .035 (torque to 12FtLbs)
Dragon Intake Elbo
Cobra tank with dual pumps and Kenne Bell Boost-a-pump.
Full exhaust and long tube headers
After which you will need a SPEC Stage 3 clutch, 31 spline axles, Eaton differential, welded axles and torque boxes, TKO500,TKO600 or T-56 Transmission.

Isn't our hobby fun

Nice car, White Stangs Rule!!

 

[DBMSTNG]

I'm going to go ahead and freshen up the engine when I get the car.. I was looking at doing a set of forged pistons/rods, new bearings, rings, seals, valvestem seals, etc.. How strong is the stock 4.6 crankshaft? My goal is around 450-500whp on pump gas. Should I get a forged crank, or is the stocker up to snuff?

the stock crank is good for 600rwhp. most people just replace it tho when building a forged combo. the Cobra crank can handle 1000+rwhp

Next thing.. there's a lot of debate on which blowers work the best, and I've done a ton of reading on all of them. From you guys' experience, what's the best centrifugal to go with to get to my power goals? I'd like to get one with a aftercooler.

Paxton Novi 2000 with an intercooler. don't mess with the aftercooler crap.

And the last question... what's the best tuning sollution that's on the market? I'd like to tune the car myself.. I plan on running 42lb injectors, and Lightning MAF.. plus 255lph pump.

get the SCT Pro Racer Package for tuning.

get 50-55lb injectors, SCT Maf, and Cobra tank/pumps with a Kenne Bell Boost-a-pump (BAP).

DO NOT get a 255lph fuel pump. that's a return style pump. we have returnless style fuel systems. they are NOT compatable.

 

[Dragstr05]

damn.. cool, they've thought of everything on that car.. Too bad it's 30K used..

Travis

I didnt see any links to any other cars in this thread other than parts sites. Please tell me your not paying 30k for a used 2000 GT!

For 30k, you can buy an 03/04 cobra (20 - 25k), spend about 1,500 - 2,000 or so in bolt on's and you'll be at your desired power level with BOLT ON's! Also, with a car that likely has 1/3 of the mileage of the car you are looking at.

 

[rebelleader]

damn.. cool, they've thought of everything on that car.. Too bad it's 30K used..

Travis

Where did this come from?? Did you post in the wrong thread??

 

[seaotter]

I think he was talking about 03ghoststang's comments about how much better the cobras fuel pump and tank set-up is vs the GT's.

 

[stangGT97]

agreed about the stock crank - it handles 600hp, just be careful how high you shift though, you run the risk of spinning a rod bearing at 6500+

 

[Trav4011]

Yeah.. I was saying that Ford thought of everything on the Cobra (ie- fuel system).. but it's way out of my price range.

Anyway.. I ended up getting this car instead..

VERY clean car.. just under 60K on the clock when I got it.. Picked it up for 9200.00 in Dallas. Some middle-age lady owned it.. it still smells new inside. It blew out a huge puff of black smoke when I laid into it for the first time. Had to burn all the carbon out of it..

Won this on Ebay last week.. I went to pick it up in person last weekend. It's in great shape! Just need my SCT tuner and a fuel pump.. and I'm good to go!

I have to get a clutch too... I think I'm going to go with a king cobra setup.. it's cheap and holds decent power. I bought a set of 275/45 MT ET Street's Saturday. I can launch the car at 4500rpm and I get almost no wheelspin! WAY better than Nitto's or BFG's!

Travis

 

[jstreet0204]

Sounds like you are on track, but I would not recommend any of the handheld tuners for a supercharged application. Tuning is much more critical when boost is part of the equation, and fuel tuning should be based on the MAF the handhelds are just not robust enough to do this. If you are serious about tuning it yourself, go with SCT Pro Racer package or TwEECer. You will need a wideband o2 and a laptop with either. If not you might as well just get a dyno tune and a chip and leave it alone...

 

[VPStang]

nice car...how much did u pay for that blower kit...??
how many miles on the blower? U gonna send it for rebuild?

 

[Trav4011]

Sounds like you are on track, but I would not recommend any of the handheld tuners for a supercharged application. Tuning is much more critical when boost is part of the equation, and fuel tuning should be based on the MAF the handhelds are just not robust enough to do this. If you are serious about tuning it yourself, go with SCT Pro Racer package or TwEECer. You will need a wideband o2 and a laptop with either. If not you might as well just get a dyno tune and a chip and leave it alone...

Ahh.. I thought that the SCT Pro Racer package used the handheld tuner still. I don't mind tuning via laptop.. I've got plenty of experience with Electromotive, Haltech and FAST. How's the user interface with the SCT software?

Travis

 

[Trav4011]

nice car...how much did u pay for that blower kit...??
how many miles on the blower? U gonna send it for rebuild?

I paid 3K for the kit.. it's in really good shape.. I will probably send the blower in for inspection, but I don't think it needs a rebuild... hopefully..

Travis

 

[jstreet0204]

Ahh.. I thought that the SCT Pro Racer package used the handheld tuner still. I don't mind tuning via laptop.. I've got plenty of experience with Electromotive, Haltech and FAST. How's the user interface with the SCT software?

Travis

The Pro Racer Package can burn to a chip, or flash through the obdii port. It may be able to burn to the XCal handheld as well (not sure) but even so it doesn't make a lot of sense to use both. The PRP has the best interface and documentation of any tuning software we have available, which contrary to what most people believe, is really the only thing that makes it better than the other options.

 

[Trav4011]

Cool.. I'll look into it.. no rush on my end. I'm still reading/learning as much as I can about the 4.6 before I dive in.

Travis