what cheap upgrades could i do to my stock mustang that would increase the hp? i already know that im going to get some off road x pipes soon, but im not sure what else i can do to increase the hp, thats fairly cheap cause im not in the market to spend a ton of money... i got pics of my stang on my profile
NEED ADVICE FOR MY 95 STANG GT!!!
- Thread starter Nick95GT
- Start date
Dino Dino Bambino
15 Year Member
Here are 3 mods that you can do to gain HP for absolutely free:
1. Remove silencer from air filter housing.
2. Remove mesh screen from MAF sensor housing.
3. Advance ignition timing to 14 degrees.
Since you're going to be catless with an offroad X-pipe later on, you won't need the smog pump assembly so you might as well remove that and save 10lb (with all the plumbing). Since you're gonna need a shorter belt anyway, you might as well do an underdrive crank pulley at the same time so you'll only need to buy a new belt once (I used the Gates K060868 with my smog pump delete and ASP u/d crank pulley).
1. Remove silencer from air filter housing.
2. Remove mesh screen from MAF sensor housing.
3. Advance ignition timing to 14 degrees.
Since you're going to be catless with an offroad X-pipe later on, you won't need the smog pump assembly so you might as well remove that and save 10lb (with all the plumbing). Since you're gonna need a shorter belt anyway, you might as well do an underdrive crank pulley at the same time so you'll only need to buy a new belt once (I used the Gates K060868 with my smog pump delete and ASP u/d crank pulley).
7upstang91
10 Year Member
Moved to 94-95 Tech.
I disagree with the above post. Advancing the base timing to around 14° will give a good seat of the pants increase, as well. The 94-95 models don't have the screen on the MAF, so that one isn't applicable.
I disagree with the above post. Advancing the base timing to around 14° will give a good seat of the pants increase, as well. The 94-95 models don't have the screen on the MAF, so that one isn't applicable.
Biggest bang for the buck spent is gonna be a set of steep gears 
As for exhaust ... That is ... On a stocker Stang ........
The OEM 4 cat mid pipe is without a doubt the biggest restriction
Headers or a Catback is gonna do next to nothing
again
Nick did say he was looking for power N O T sound
If you wanna do some mods to the motor
An intake ... N O T ... some kinda pipe we're talking about here .....
would give you a nice gain
Stuff like meter, tb, rr's
and
The one that misleads a lot of folk ... Ignition
They are gonna do very little if anything on a stocker Stang
I know that ain't what you wanna hear
but
It is just how it is
Any other Q's Nick ... Ask Away
Lots of Nice AND Knowledgeable folk hang here and are willing to help
I noticed your low post count
so
Welcome to 94-95 :SNSign:
Grady
As for exhaust ... That is ... On a stocker Stang ........
The OEM 4 cat mid pipe is without a doubt the biggest restriction
Headers or a Catback is gonna do next to nothing
again
Nick did say he was looking for power N O T sound
If you wanna do some mods to the motor
An intake ... N O T ... some kinda pipe we're talking about here .....
would give you a nice gain
Stuff like meter, tb, rr's
and
The one that misleads a lot of folk ... Ignition
They are gonna do very little if anything on a stocker Stang
I know that ain't what you wanna hear
but
It is just how it is
Any other Q's Nick ... Ask Away
Lots of Nice AND Knowledgeable folk hang here and are willing to help
I noticed your low post count
so
Welcome to 94-95 :SNSign:
Grady
earleys94gt
Active Member
For cheap(free), bump the timing but listen for pinging and do the removal of the silencer/K&N Filter. That will do about the same as a 'Cold Air Intake'.
If you can spend about $400+, do some gears. Depending on wheater you daily drive your car or not will dictate the gear selection. If you have an auto, 373's are a good, solid shoice for a gear. You can do 410's, but might be a little much. If you have a 5 speed, 355's work well, as do 373's but, again, might be a little much. There are PLENTY of threads on here about gears to research.
If you can spend about $400+, do some gears. Depending on wheater you daily drive your car or not will dictate the gear selection. If you have an auto, 373's are a good, solid shoice for a gear. You can do 410's, but might be a little much. If you have a 5 speed, 355's work well, as do 373's but, again, might be a little much. There are PLENTY of threads on here about gears to research.
mo_dingo
20+ Year Stangneter 
Even though gears don't increase hp, they do increase tractive effort a lot. If I did it all over again, this would be my second mod, right after the o/r X-pipe. Both of them are the biggest seat-o-pants gains.
The other bolt-ons are relatively useless compared to gears & o/r X pipe. Do a cat-back for sound only, expect a boring 3-4 HP gains from one.
Next good bolt on is a upper/lower intake manifold. Trick flow track heat or the eddy varieties are the way to go. Dynoed at ~20rwhp gains from a stock mustang.
Save up for heads & a cam next. Once you have them, then traction mods will be your next venue, b/c no traction means to tractive effort, which sucks.
The CAI, filter, pullies, ignition kits, MAF, TB, etc are a waste of time on a stock motor. Once you get to a full H/C/I, they will start to add up and make a difference. But for now, you will be sorely disappointed in their SOP results.
The thing is
Nick asked about how to make more power ... Cheaply
That just ain't gonna happen
At least ... not enough power to make a significant improvement
Now lets all be honest here
We all want what Nick wants
A Lot more power for not A Lot more money spent :Word:
A good analogy might be .............
How can I get a College Education in 6 months
Gears ... Mid Pipe ... Upper/Lower Intake
Yes ... Absolutely ... They are good gain mods for the buck spent
but
None of em is gonna only set you back ... like $29.95
I mean ... IMHO ... you gotta get at least around 15 more to the wheels
Or
You'll be asking yourself .....
Did I Do Anything Different
I Thought I Did
My Wallet Is Sure Lighter
Grady
Nick asked about how to make more power ... Cheaply
That just ain't gonna happen
At least ... not enough power to make a significant improvement
Now lets all be honest here
We all want what Nick wants
A Lot more power for not A Lot more money spent :Word:
A good analogy might be .............
How can I get a College Education in 6 months
Gears ... Mid Pipe ... Upper/Lower Intake
Yes ... Absolutely ... They are good gain mods for the buck spent
but
None of em is gonna only set you back ... like $29.95
I mean ... IMHO ... you gotta get at least around 15 more to the wheels
Or
You'll be asking yourself .....
Did I Do Anything Different
I Thought I Did
My Wallet Is Sure Lighter
Grady
yea well thanks for all of the comments on how to get more hp. lol i get it, its not that cheap. but to be honest with u, the main thing im worrying about right now is exhaust. i really really want a good sounding exhaust and am willing to spend whatever it takes, im guessing somewhere around 500 bucks. so could someone give me some proffesional advice on exhaust? i know mine is stock right now which is an h pipe but it barely even sounds like a muscle car and im unimpressed with the stock exhaust. so im thinking an off road x pipe. im thinking about Dr. gas maybe or bassani, cause i thought those sounded really good on youtube but still not sure...i also love the sound of the slp loudmouth's. watch these videos on youtube to get on idea about what i want.{97 Mustang GT SLP Loudmouth Comparison (before and after H ), 1 of the best sounding stang, 95 mustang gts bassani exhaust}. im also not completely sure if i should go with the off road X or H pipe...
Car Nut
Founding Member
Consider a full tune-up if you know nothing about the car's history or maintenance. Fresh plugs, wires, K&N filter, pcv valve, oil, oil filter, and a clean MAF sensor can make a big difference. Check the tire pressure every couple of weeks to keep that spot on. Maintenance isn't cheap, but you'll have to be the judge of these issues. Do the work yourself and save some $$$ too.
Exhaust: Bassani sounds great and is top quality. Bassani is also not cheap, but like others....I saved up for this expense. Compared to the stock H pipe, just about anything non-catted and even with 2 high flow cats will be so much better. Consider a couple cats IF you don't want the excessive smell you get when you have no cats.
Does the car run slightly warm? If the coolant is old, flushing it out and putting in some fresh coolant can drop the overall temps and give back some power.
93 octane? Stay with 87 on a stock motor, unless you'ved bumped the timing for high octane. Using the proper octane can save money and power.
If you look at my sig, it is obvious that I have not done much of anything in the name of "more power." That being said, my next power mod is going to be an eddy upper/lower intake, then heads/cam.
Exhaust: Bassani sounds great and is top quality. Bassani is also not cheap, but like others....I saved up for this expense. Compared to the stock H pipe, just about anything non-catted and even with 2 high flow cats will be so much better. Consider a couple cats IF you don't want the excessive smell you get when you have no cats.
Does the car run slightly warm? If the coolant is old, flushing it out and putting in some fresh coolant can drop the overall temps and give back some power.
93 octane? Stay with 87 on a stock motor, unless you'ved bumped the timing for high octane. Using the proper octane can save money and power.
If you look at my sig, it is obvious that I have not done much of anything in the name of "more power." That being said, my next power mod is going to be an eddy upper/lower intake, then heads/cam.
mustang6tee8
Member
Ahhhh... a classic Grady post. I haven't seen one of those in a good while. Well done, sir!
Nick- this process is all about taking it slow, doing your research, drawing out a detailed plan on what goals you want for your car. Would you rather your car look good, or go fast? 99% of younger Mustang owners, like myself, do not have money for both- you have to make up your mind. Also think about what kind of offroad racing you might have an interest in- autocross/ road racing or drag racing. Go to your local tracks and see what you like. Lastly, learn from the old hands and avoid any mistakes they might have made along their quest for horsepower. Do all these things before you reach lighten your wallet!
My personal mistakes with my car were a result of little to no research and getting an itchy trigger finger when I saw "add to cart." I still kick myself for the amount of money I've spent on parts that I really did not need. Also, it doesn't hurt to buy used parts in certain cases (used intakes, exhaust, short throw shifters, CAI's). In my opinion, things like gears and cams should be bought new.
This is my opinion on parts you really don't need to be wasting your money on in the beginning steps of adding modifications.
-K&N FIPK- sure, the filter has the capacity to suck in a bunch of air, but it's sucking hot air in right from the engine and radiator! It is also WAY overpriced. As stated in an earlier post, simply remove the air silencer and get a stock style K&N filter. I made the mistake of buying this, and I still regret it.
-Subframe connectors- I have them, but I got lucky with that purchase since I ended up autocrossing my car. But for the most part, you don't need them- they stiffen up a daily driven car way too much. The creaks and groans in my car drive me crazy...
-Headers- your car already has them from the factory- why waste money on aftermarket headers? They will hold up fine until you do a full H/C/I upgrade. Theyre not cost effective, kind of an annoyance to install, and wont give you much gain on a stock motor.
Now, underdrive pullies actually DO make more than just a SOTP difference. Now that I have them, my car spins halfway through 2nd gear instead of just chirping 2nd (that's with 3.73 gears).
If I could start all over, I would plan on: 3.73s, short throw shifter to compliment the 3.73s, underdrive pullies, offroad midpipe, upper/lower intake, small cam, bump timing to 14°, cheap CAI.
If I had extra spending money after that, I would get a catback.
Car Nut explained the maintenance bit pretty good. You should do those things first to make sure the car is ready for mods.
If you want a comparison between the H pipe and X pipe, let me know, I can post links. I used to have an offroad H, now ive got an offroad X.
OK IM DONE- Ive typed WAY more than I thought I would have. Many of us here have been in your situation before. I just wanted to give you a heads up for what's to come! Good luck man!
-Wade
Nick- this process is all about taking it slow, doing your research, drawing out a detailed plan on what goals you want for your car. Would you rather your car look good, or go fast? 99% of younger Mustang owners, like myself, do not have money for both- you have to make up your mind. Also think about what kind of offroad racing you might have an interest in- autocross/ road racing or drag racing. Go to your local tracks and see what you like. Lastly, learn from the old hands and avoid any mistakes they might have made along their quest for horsepower. Do all these things before you reach lighten your wallet!
My personal mistakes with my car were a result of little to no research and getting an itchy trigger finger when I saw "add to cart." I still kick myself for the amount of money I've spent on parts that I really did not need. Also, it doesn't hurt to buy used parts in certain cases (used intakes, exhaust, short throw shifters, CAI's). In my opinion, things like gears and cams should be bought new.
This is my opinion on parts you really don't need to be wasting your money on in the beginning steps of adding modifications.
-K&N FIPK- sure, the filter has the capacity to suck in a bunch of air, but it's sucking hot air in right from the engine and radiator! It is also WAY overpriced. As stated in an earlier post, simply remove the air silencer and get a stock style K&N filter. I made the mistake of buying this, and I still regret it.
-Subframe connectors- I have them, but I got lucky with that purchase since I ended up autocrossing my car. But for the most part, you don't need them- they stiffen up a daily driven car way too much. The creaks and groans in my car drive me crazy...
-Headers- your car already has them from the factory- why waste money on aftermarket headers? They will hold up fine until you do a full H/C/I upgrade. Theyre not cost effective, kind of an annoyance to install, and wont give you much gain on a stock motor.
Now, underdrive pullies actually DO make more than just a SOTP difference. Now that I have them, my car spins halfway through 2nd gear instead of just chirping 2nd (that's with 3.73 gears).
If I could start all over, I would plan on: 3.73s, short throw shifter to compliment the 3.73s, underdrive pullies, offroad midpipe, upper/lower intake, small cam, bump timing to 14°, cheap CAI.
If I had extra spending money after that, I would get a catback.
Car Nut explained the maintenance bit pretty good. You should do those things first to make sure the car is ready for mods.
If you want a comparison between the H pipe and X pipe, let me know, I can post links. I used to have an offroad H, now ive got an offroad X.
OK IM DONE- Ive typed WAY more than I thought I would have.
Many of us here have been in your situation before. I just wanted to give you a heads up for what's to come! Good luck man!-Wade
Car Nut
Founding Member
Do the x or y with a good exhaust. See your other post, 35 different opinions on exhaust? thats all you'll find here, opinions, but you gotta come up with your own, keep doing the research and find the setup you like. Once you get done with that, do the gears. Big difference that will not dissapoint. After that, pretty much everything is worthless untill you break it open and change the heads, cam, intake etc, after that you can make some power.
So do your exhaust so it sounds like you want, then gear it, then just enjoy driving it until your wallet is ready for the next level.
So do your exhaust so it sounds like you want, then gear it, then just enjoy driving it until your wallet is ready for the next level.
blksn955.o
Founding Member
I am a cheap arse by nature. I got gears as a birthday or xmas gift one year and paid for the install so it was a cheap way to get that done...around $220 and the only thing I did not do to my car.
From 100% bone stock this is what I ran mod for mod for under $1000.
stock 15.2
14* timing 14.9 or -.3 FREE
3.73's 14.7 or -.2 my cost $220
pulleys, home made CAI, catback 14.3 or -.4 my cost around $250 catback was $150-ish, pulleys were like $60-70, and the K&N/CAI was $20 or $30. not bad for all 3 mods
Pieced together a bottle kit for under $200 and a msd digital6+ for $300
Roughly 1k in parts and ran a 13.1 @ 107 on street tires with a 125 shot granny shifting and spinning.
I bought a shifter but this had 0 effect on 1/4 times only to help the t5 live.
P.S. my 94 had the screen on the maf.
P.S.S I sold my o/r mac H pipe for $50 and bought a catted BBK X pipe for 100 this summer using my local mustang board.
From 100% bone stock this is what I ran mod for mod for under $1000.
stock 15.2
14* timing 14.9 or -.3 FREE
3.73's 14.7 or -.2 my cost $220
pulleys, home made CAI, catback 14.3 or -.4 my cost around $250 catback was $150-ish, pulleys were like $60-70, and the K&N/CAI was $20 or $30. not bad for all 3 mods
Pieced together a bottle kit for under $200 and a msd digital6+ for $300
Roughly 1k in parts and ran a 13.1 @ 107 on street tires with a 125 shot granny shifting and spinning.
I bought a shifter but this had 0 effect on 1/4 times only to help the t5 live.
P.S. my 94 had the screen on the maf.
P.S.S I sold my o/r mac H pipe for $50 and bought a catted BBK X pipe for 100 this summer using my local mustang board.
