Next mod steps: 4.10's or catted X.

[Red03Mustang]

Hey all. I got the MAC catback on recently, and now I'm looking at the next mods I should get. I mainly got the catback for sound and not power. I like it a lot so far. It's not quite as loud as I would've gone for, but it rumbles pretty well! I'm thinking about going the "MustangTuning catted X" route. That will pretty much finish out my exhaust. I don't have a lot of money, so I can't really afford to spend a lot on my car.

Other than the exhaust, I'm pretty much thinking of gears. I have already bought some 4.10's, but I haven't had them installed yet. The reason is because I have an auto, not a manual. So, I need a speedo calibration as well as my car's shift points adjusted. What I'm wondering is, should I buy a diablo predator and adjust the gears myself after a shop puts them in? Or would I be better off just letting a shop do all the work? The predator is around $300 pretty much everywhere that I've seen.

Will the Diablo Predator adjust my speedometer and my shiftpoints, and could this be something I can do myself? If I have a shop install the gears, and I tune it myself, what should my approximate cost be?

Thanks!

 

[madmatt]

Id say have the gears installed at a place with a dyno, then have them do the speedo calibration there as well as reflash your computer for say, higher timing and stuff like that.

 

[GTMomma02]

Id say have the gears installed at a place with a dyno, then have them do the speedo calibration there as well as reflash your computer for say, higher timing and stuff like that.

I'm with Matt. Having your computer reflashed is comparable pricewise to a chip, and it's not detectable by the dealer. At least that's what I was told when I had mine done.

 

[CatmanJJ]

I agree with the both of them, and holycrap, I haven't seen you in a while GTMomma02!!

 

[2002BLGT]

get the diablo and get the gears in ....reflashing for the speedo wont help your shift points , diablo will let you put it where you want it ....

 

[GTMomma02]

get the diablo and get the gears in ....reflashing for the speedo wont help your shift points , diablo will let you put it where you want it ....

IMO, it would be silly to reflash and ONLY adjust your speedo. I would think most people go all out and have their a/f adjusted, timing bumped, shift points adjusted and whatever else is normally involved with a tune.

 

[GTMomma02]

I agree with the both of them, and holycrap, I haven't seen you in a while GTMomma02!!

Good to "see" you too! I haven't had any $$$ to spend so I've been avoiding Stangnet. Oh, and you do know today is Saturday right?

 

[CatmanJJ]

IMO, it would be silly to reflash and ONLY adjust your speedo. I would think most people go all out and have their a/f adjusted, timing bumped, shift points adjusted and whatever else is normally involved with a tune.

Isn't that what the new Diablo does? But then again, I think gonig to a shop that knows what they're doing is better then going with a diablo tune, also can you tune the new predators themselves, I think I read somewhere that you can, either way it's worth looking into. I think the hand held predator type product can be very useful especially with an auto.

 

[GTMomma02]

Isn't that what the new Diablo does? But then again, I think gonig to a shop that knows what they're doing is better then going with a diablo tune, also can you tune the new predators themselves, I think I read somewhere that you can, either way it's worth looking into. I think the hand held predator type product can be very useful especially with an auto.

I've been out of the loop for a while. Is the Predator similar to SCT? It would be nice to have something that you can adjust yourself and not have to go to a shop for, especially if it does the same things a shop would do.

 

[CatmanJJ]

Yeah it's similar, seems all of the companies are jumping on the micro tuning wagon. But I think if you can find yourself a shop with a good tuner ie T&J, you can do a little more fine tuning and what not. I'm by no means a guru on the subject though.

 

[007]

As the others said do the gears since you already have them. Theyll make a bigger difference to the performance of your auto anyway. I have a 4 program mail order JMS chip, that does timing/fuel adjustment (although not very aggresive - only downside), new shift patterns, 180 degree therm, fixes speedo, and also firms up the shift points. Each bit the chip does it well worth it.

The auto with 4.10s, new shift points, and firmer shift is a vast improvement over stock, and the timing adjustment will get you a bump in hp.

 

[Red03Mustang]

Cool. I'll probably just see about getting a good shop somewhere near me to do it. That's the whole problem really. I don't have a lot of local shops that do anything like that. I'm going to have to go at least 45 minutes away for any sort of tune, I'm guessing.

 

[jbrown]

only 45 minutes? Youre lucky! I have to go at least 2 hours for a tune. I believe both the predator and sct hand held tuners can accept custom tunes from anywhere that uses their software, on the diablo at least you can also change the tune, such as advance ignition timing after it has already been set with a tune, they both let you change for gears. With an auto definately get the gears in and you will have to get the tuner/or a tune to change the shift points. Wheres the cheapest place everyones seen to get the diablo(I've seen 325 on ebay) or the sct ( I think I havent seen it less than 400)

 

[Cobra Jay]

I have already bought some 4.10's, but I haven't had them installed yet. The reason is because I have an auto, not a manual.

It's a little late now considering you already bought your gears but,
now that I know what 4.10's are like in a N/A GT w/a 5spd., If I had an auto I'd would definately go with 4.30's, maybe even 4.56's if I wasn't going to do a lot of e-way driving.

Atleast you got 4.10's insted of 3.73's. You'll be happy with them. Sometimes I regret not getting 4.30's for my 5spd. Oh well, live and learn I guess. Good Luck.

 

[007]

It's a little late now considering you already bought your gears but,
now that I know what 4.10's are like in a N/A GT w/a 5spd., If I had an auto I'd would definately go with 4.30's, maybe even 4.56's if I wasn't going to do a lot of e-way driving.

Actually you might not want to in an auto... we only have three usable gears before an OD that is long as hell. With 4.10s your car reaches overdrive at 105-110 mph at which point it really loses its balls. I wouldnt want to be there any earlier at all (especially if you drag race). Wheel spin on the 1-2 shift would be even worse also with steaper gearing, and its not like you can feather the throttle to control it like you can on manual unless you are manually shifting. Back off the gas and the damn thing will shift to 3rd and then back to 2nd as you give it more.

I hate my auto. Saving for the TKO.