new to the forum w/question

[DAVES96]

hey everybody, I have recently purchased a 96 GT and have a few questions for you.
The car runs good, has 121k on it, auto, lowered, stock shocks/struts(ride needs improvement!) and has a CAI on it.
It also has a 3" dual cat-back exhaust with shot flowmaster knockoffs. It has 16" wheels from a 99-01 stang with 215/60/16's on it brand new. Needs much wider tires!!!
I bought this car for my wife after selling an 03 MR2 Spyder. We are trying to get out of some credit card debt so we got out of a big monthly car payment.
question: Is the 3" exhaust too big for the stock 4.6? If so would installing more restrictive type mufflers add more low end?
The car handles like an old Buick because of the old shocks and being lowered. The car's stance looks great.
I have looked at the prices of some of the high end shocks and dont really have that much to spend.
question: would Monroe's help at all? there around $40-45 ea.
The stock Mach460 stereo had blown rear amps so after reading countless threads of problems with the system I just bought an Alpine HU and going all aftermarket.
Thanks for your help!
David
I'm going to attemp to post a pic.

 

[Chopper1]

The exhaust is going to be fine as most of the resriction comes from the cat pipe anyway.Replacing the shocks will help if the old ones are worn out.Bounce the corners of the car and see if the car continues to bounce after you stop.If it stops within a couple of bounces the shocks are OK.

 

[timeless2]

I would get the midpipe swapped to an off-road H or X first, before worrying about the cat-back.

Then, I would get some 4.10 gears for it and you'll be well on your way to a fun daily driver.

There is much more that can be done to your new ride, but those are some good starters, IN ADDITION to all of the preventative maintenance to keep it running long for you. These are pretty solid runnin cars, so I think you'll be pleased with your purchase.

Oh, and use

wrapped around a URL pointing to your picture to post bigger photos.

 

[mity2]

Welcome. I love MRS, and wanted to look for one back when I bought my car. It was pretty new then i couldn't find one. I'm grad i didn't find one!!

Anyway, as far as shocks goes, I would not go with monro crop. U should be able to find KYB GR2for about same price, which is much better then monro stuff. here is one I found for ya!GR-2
I've had those in many of my cars(my 89MR2SC, 00Focus, 93Z-28), and i would think they are perfect compromise between handling and ride. and they are cheap.
If you don't mind spending more, get Bilstein. you won't be sorry!


I do think 3" is bit too much for stock GT. but then if you already have them. Keep it! I would go get Prochamber first. then worry about catback.
and wheels... 16" just has got to go!! Search in here. U should be able to find prenty of people who has their stock 17" for cheap

 

[trailblazr81]

Is it all 3" pipe and mufflers or just the tailpipe. Alot of the cat back's use 2.5" pipe and muffllers then about 12" of 3" pipe at the end. Look into Mach 1 shocks/struts. They are an inexpensive way to help since the car came with lower stiffer springs. Were lowering springs used or did the previous owner just hack up the originals. Again Mach 1 suspension pieces are a good cheap route. If the mufflers are shot and you dont like how it sounds, look at here for sounds http://www.mustangexhaust.com/4.6sounds.htm and remember the 4v Cobra's will sound different. If this is just a cruiser for the wife this should be good, but if you get the itch, there is alot of stuff out there such as newer Mustang PI heads, cams, intake. Bigger brakes, suspension goodies, you name it.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

Gabriel SVTs are good cheap shocks also, I put all four corners on for <$100.

The "bouncing" shock test method does not work with Mustangs as the springs are too stiff...

 

[BooWFO]

If your trying to get more lowend the 2v's really don't feel like they have alot. But some gears will wake it up. If your tring to save some money. I'd get the suspension squared away first and then worry about everything else. I'd also plan on the normal preventive maintenace like tuneup and such. If you still want a little added zip either a Timing Adjsuter or a programmer to increase the timing a little makes them feel a little better. You can usually score a TA used for about 80 bucks. Unless the bafles are blonw out the exhuast or you just Hate the sound I wouldn't mess with it.

 

[DAVES96]

Thanks guys for your replies, and please keep them coming.

One thing I don't like on this car is the sloppy shifting! This tranny defintely needs the shifting firmed up. I was looking at the Superchips 1725 on Ebay for around $250.

Was wondering if this is still an issue after changing out the gears to 4:10's?

 

[DAVES96]

Is it all 3" pipe and mufflers or just the tailpipe. Alot of the cat back's use 2.5" pipe and muffllers then about 12" of 3" pipe at the end. Look into Mach 1 shocks/struts. They are an inexpensive way to help since the car came with lower stiffer springs. Were lowering springs used or did the previous owner just hack up the originals. Again Mach 1 suspension pieces are a good cheap route. If the mufflers are shot and you dont like how it sounds, look at here for sounds http://www.mustangexhaust.com/4.6sounds.htm and remember the 4v Cobra's will sound different. If this is just a cruiser for the wife this should be good, but if you get the itch, there is alot of stuff out there such as newer Mustang PI heads, cams, intake. Bigger brakes, suspension goodies, you name it.

Its 3" all the way to the cats. Where would I look for the Mach 1 shocks?
Yes the car was lowered with red colored springs. I dont know which brand?
I was thinking to get my next mufflers in a 2.5" in/out so it would create more restiction on the 3" pipe, would do you think?

 

[DAVES96]

Gabriel SVTs are good cheap shocks also, I put all four corners on for <$100.

The "bouncing" shock test method does not work with Mustangs as the springs are too stiff...

Kilgore,
Is your car lowered?

 

[DAVES96]

If your trying to get more lowend the 2v's really don't feel like they have alot. But some gears will wake it up. If your tring to save some money. I'd get the suspension squared away first and then worry about everything else. I'd also plan on the normal preventive maintenace like tuneup and such. If you still want a little added zip either a Timing Adjsuter or a programmer to increase the timing a little makes them feel a little better. You can usually score a TA used for about 80 bucks. Unless the bafles are blonw out the exhuast or you just Hate the sound I wouldn't mess with it.

BooWFO, your right about getting the suspension done first but its so hard to keep from spending on so many other areas, like getting the fenderwells filled.

 

[mity2]

Its 3" all the way to the cats. Where would I look for the Mach 1 shocks?
Yes the car was lowered with red colored springs. I dont know which brand?
I was thinking to get my next mufflers in a 2.5" in/out so it would create more restiction on the 3" pipe, would do you think?

Prolly Eibach. Look carefully. To see if you see Eibach print anywhere on spring

 

[timeless2]

Kilgore,
Is your car lowered?

His car is mostly stock, so no.

 

[DAVES96]

Is it all 3" pipe and mufflers or just the tailpipe. Alot of the cat back's use 2.5" pipe and muffllers then about 12" of 3" pipe at the end. Look into Mach 1 shocks/struts. They are an inexpensive way to help since the car came with lower stiffer springs. Were lowering springs used or did the previous owner just hack up the originals. Again Mach 1 suspension pieces are a good cheap route. If the mufflers are shot and you dont like how it sounds, look at here for sounds http://www.mustangexhaust.com/4.6sounds.htm and remember the 4v Cobra's will sound different. If this is just a cruiser for the wife this should be good, but if you get the itch, there is alot of stuff out there such as newer Mustang PI heads, cams, intake. Bigger brakes, suspension goodies, you name it.

trailblazr81,
thanks for your advice on the Mach 1 shocks! I just ordered the rears for $24.99 ea!

 

[BooWFO]

Thanks guys for your replies, and please keep them coming.

One thing I don't like on this car is the sloppy shifting! This tranny defintely needs the shifting firmed up. I was looking at the Superchips 1725 on Ebay for around $250.

Was wondering if this is still an issue after changing out the gears to 4:10's?

Is it an Auto or 5spd? If it's a 5spd and the shifting feels sloppy a good aftermarket shifter makes it alot more enjoyable to drive. I love my MGW.
If it's an auto. First thing I'd do is get a flush and fill done, and prolly add a tranny cooler then a programmer or the j-mod thingy. The only real downfall to buying a used programmer is if they didn't flash the original car back. so they sell you a programmer that is locked to their car.

 

[timeless2]

Is it an Auto or 5spd? If it's a 5spd and the shifting feels sloppy a good aftermarket shifter makes it alot more enjoyable to drive. I love my MGW.
If it's an auto. First thing I'd do is get a flush and fill done, and prolly add a tranny cooler then a programmer or the j-mod thingy. The only real downfall to buying a used programmer is if they didn't flash the original car back. so they sell you a programmer that is locked to their car.

He mentioned it was an automatic.

The car runs good, has 121k on it, auto

I agree on the flush/fill.
A cooler never hurts.

 

[DAVES96]

I just called to get a price on a flush & fill for the tranny and it was $99. I will get this done asap.

I'm suprised that this car does not have a tranny cooler? I thought this was standard on all automatics.

 

[timeless2]

Nope, not a standard for this car.

Most OEM coolers are issued as a part of specialty packages for fleet service or for vehicles designated for towing/hauling cargo loads.

 

[billfisher]

1. your factory intake has all the bottom end you need.
2. the 3" exhaust will only help what you lack... power.
3. i had SLP true "x" off road on mine. get it it helps more than you think.
4. isn't that really enough for your "wife"?
5. it isn't really enough for you.
6. you got to have the green to be mean!!!!

 

[billfisher]

if you do have the green to be mean...


get your "wife's" car a 4.6 dohc or 5.4 3v. she will love the 300+ hp. and you can just tell her everything "helps the gas mileage".

that's what i have told mine.

they will believe anything you say. mine thinks a 5.4 3v helps economy. maybe it will. only $15,000.00 to go for better fuel economy. i figure it will get 5-6 mpg soon.