New Mustang Owner - Need Advice

[FalconGuy016]

Hey everyone,

In the next week or so, im going to be a new 4.6 L Mustang owner 2001-2004, not so sure, whatever's a good deal, there sure are a lot in the area to choose from (DC area). However, as far as cars go, I'm not too familiar with the specifics of the mustang, and rather than waste my money, I wanted to find out from you guys what the best performance upgrades are, along with the best progression. However I am not in the budget for a super charger or expensive side exhaust or whatever is really expensive for a mustang, but more "lower" end things. Any help anyone can give me is GREATLY appreciated I am also looking for your opinion on specific products and brands and why you think they are best for this application, etc

Thanks a lot for any help!

Falcon

 

[scalder]

You'll see that most people start with a Cat Back exhaust, Shifter, Gears or some type of lowering spring. I guess it all depends on what you want the car to be....
Give us an idea of what you want and we'll send you down the correct path...
Don't forget about the search function as well. You can get the majority of your questions answered that way.

Good Luck and post pics of your ride when you get it!

 

[CManT1914]

Gears! Usually between $400 - $500, get some 3.73's or 4.10's, search about em and you'll find an overhwelming amount of info on them. Other than that, get a new mid-pipe, maybe an o/r h-pipe. These can be had for as low as $129 and if you're mechanically inclined in the least, you can install it yourself. Then either a cat-back, or maybe just some weld-in mufflers. Then a short throw shifter, maybe a Steeda Tri-ax, or a Pro 5.0. After that, SUBFRAME CONNECTORS!!! They GREATLY enhance the handling of the car. They're around $225 - $250 installed for full-length custom subframes with the seat brackets. They're awesome. But I'd start with the gears, exhaust, and subframe connectors. Get us some pics man! Congrats on the new stang.

 

[csledd]

you're definately gonna want to lower it.. i'd go with eibach or steeda springs for that job. if you want to dress the engine up you might want to look into getting a cold air intake. underdrive pullies would also be good. you can get the magnaflow x-piple with cats for 430 off partshopper.com (with the stangnet memeber discount).

 

[BVille99GT]

For mods start with a K&N filter, remove the snorkel from the air box, a mid-pipe (I like the Off road X-pipe), some weld-ins mufflers will be ok for a while. Then do shifter, gears, and better rubber.

 

[Fast02]

Welcome Falconguy!

I think the Tremac Transmission is a little beefier on the 02's and up. Do some searches for the Technical Service Bullitens so when you try out a used car you know what to listen for or feel.
Vibration in the driveshaft. (110mph for me)
Rattling plastic around the radio
Popping out of gear under heavy accelleration
Grinding going into gear or not going in at all...on a cold day
Leaky exhuast manifold drivers side

Do a car fax. Ask them if you can bring it to your mechanic for a inspection. Throroughly check the paint for runs, touch up paint, dull spots, cracks ect. Check the air pressure in the tires as it may be out of alignment and so they will fill up one tire with more air to make it go down the road straight.
There are quiet a few different models:
GT
Bullitt
Mach1
Cobra

maybe someone else can help explaine the difference and prices.

 

[w00t]

Congrats! Let the modding begin.

 

[texgt]

You're gonna love it-
Remember - MORE AIR IN - MORE EXHAUST OUT.
And shop for most for the bucks.
AIR - Densecharger cold air, Cone K&N filter, Larger Throttle body, Intake plenum, Intake plenum spacer.
EXHAUST - H or X pipe, Perf. Mufflers or Cat back system with mufflers, Maybe Headers later.
AND YES - Don't forget Gears.

 

[ken04GT]

Yea, Congrats Falconguy
I just got mine to, and I do love it

 

[FalconGuy016]

Hey everyone, thanks for all the replies. I guess I need to refine myself in what I want some, although its hard to say really.

Performance and handling is what I want. Hahaha

Now that I've solved nothing... hmm I guess acceleration is most important to me, as well as having power at higher speeds. Handling is another huge things for me, which isnt particularily prominent in a mustang I know, but its something I can work on I suppose.

Can someone explain to me what exactly new gears specifically do to increase performance? I dont know anything *really* about what swapping them out would do, besides change RPM to power ratios? Thats just a vague guess thats in my head at the moment

Thanks

 

[CManT1914]

Can someone explain to me what exactly new gears specifically do to increase performance? I dont know anything *really* about what swapping them out would do, besides change RPM to power ratios? Thats just a vague guess thats in my head at the moment

Thanks

Well basically, lets say you have 300 ft/lb of torque @ any given rpm. In 4th gear (which is a 1:1 ratio) you're putting all 300 ft/lbs through the driveshaft to the rear-end, (theoretically, you're always gonna have some loss due to the engine having to turn the driveshaft, but this is theoretically ). So with stock rear-end gears, which are 3.27's, you're multiplying that torque by 3.27 times, giving you 981 ft/lb's torque going to the wheels. Now when you switch, let's say to 4.10's, then you're multiplying that original 300 by 4.10, giving you 1,230 ft/lbs torque at the rear wheels. Theoretically. It can be most related to riding a 10-speed bicycle. If you try t start out in 4th, 5th, or even 7th gear or similar, it's gonna be real hard. But starting out in 1st or 2nd is no problem, because the force exerted by your legs (engine) is being multiplyed by the chains (rear-end gears). So switching the rear-end gears basically multiplys engine's torque allowing it to accelerate MUCH quicker, and is known to often bring smiles to the driver's face.

Phew, I'm done. Did that explain things any? lol

 

[FalconGuy016]

It sure did! Thanks!

I also went out and learned exactly how the transimission worked too, so im a little more knowledgable on the whole thing

4.6 DOHC and SOHC <- I saw this while surfing mustang things, whats that mean?

 

[myponyrocks]

Dual Over Head Cam
Single Over Head Cam

 

[CManT1914]

It sure did! Thanks!

I also went out and learned exactly how the transimission worked too, so im a little more knowledgable on the whole thing

4.6 DOHC and SOHC <- I saw this while surfing mustang things, whats that mean?

the 4.6L SOHC are the 2 valve per cylinder GT's, whereas the 4.6L DOHC are the 4 valve per cylinder cobra's, machs..... The 4 valves breath a LOT better due to having twice as many inlets and outlets, but they don't make the torque like the 2 valves. Plus, they cost quite a bit more.

 

[2k3gt]

The 4 valves breath a LOT better due to having twice as many inlets and outlets,

Hate to be the one to nitpick, but they don't necessarily breathe better because there are twice as many valves... from what I understand its more due to the fact that the smaller dual inlets and dual outlets on the 4v's can be controlled independently to maximize airflow, rather than the larger single intake & single exhaust ports on the 2v's.

 

[CManT1914]

Hate to be the one to nitpick, but they don't necessarily breathe better because there are twice as many valves... from what I understand its more due to the fact that the smaller dual inlets and dual outlets on the 4v's can be controlled independently to maximize airflow, rather than the larger single intake & single exhaust ports on the 2v's.

You HAD to make me look bad didn't you? lol, j/k. I don't know a whole lot about the modular motors, except that the 4V motors breathe better than the 2V motors. oh well...