Order of Modifying Stang....

[crunchie12268]

Alright... I have a feeling this will help a lot, not only will it help me, but it will help newbies and get some interesting controversy going....

The Car:

Bone Stock 1990 Mustang GT with a 5 Speed (Grey Interior )

All the parts that are available such as suspension, tranny, engine, brakes, rearend etc.. benefit from one another so lets make a list:

I don't even know where to start, but I am going to say that tires on a factory stang just aren't up to par, gearing really restricts you, and the exhaust.

1. Some decent tires such as Nitto, Yokahoma, BF Good Rich
2. Offroad H-pipe
3. 3.55-3.73-4.10 rear end gears
4. Short Throw Shifter (Steeda Tri Ax, Pro 5.0, MGW, B&M)

from here I don't know, with those mods I don't know if it would be best to start with suspension, or go to brakes. Some one Start adding and I will update it. If not, and if this is stupid or has been done before. Someone tell me and I will go crawl in a hole.

 

[BaXTeR3221]

I would say sub-frames should deffinetly be up there. I dont know about other guys, but my basic theory on modding is that the cars are old, so when things break or are worn, use it as a chance to upgrade. Tackle whatever is in the worst shape first. I think the worst thing you can do is to start making lots of power and not address anything else first. You need a drivetrain that is going to support the power otherwise your brand new parts get to sit while you repair other stuff. As far as my car goes, i did all the above stuff, then rebuilt the trans because it was in bad shape. This winter i'm replacing the steering shaft because it is shot along with the rear shocks. The supercharger was a great deal i couldn't pass up, so i snagged it.....kinda deviates from my plan, but it'll be fun

 

[Mavrick]

Frame connectors, shifter, gears, and suspension/brakes!! Make the car a solid driver before adding power mods and cosmetics.

Personally, i went with frame connectors first, and have been buying parts as deals arise.

 

[willys1]

I would say the first thing that 99% of people get is a K&N filter.

 

[matm347]

The reason there is no set guide or order on how to modify a stang is the variety of the cars condition(as stated above) and also by personal taste. Some people want to auto cross, so suspension is higher on the priority list. Others want drag, where power would take precedence.

This question has been asked many, many times before but like I said above, each is different and must be handled so.

Each time someone asks"what should I get next" the next question usually is "what do you want to do with the car" and "how much do you have to spend"

 

[super302]

my theory:
Gears, exhaust, shifter, u/d pulleys, then get into the more 'advanced' mods.

 

[5.0 Nostalgia]

I would stiffen the car up first so that it can handle what you are going to put in it. You can spend all the money you want and make the numbers, but when you tweak the frame, you will have a big problem. Then I would say do the things that need attention first, as someone already stated. When something let's go, fix it with something that will not break. Most importantly, have a plan. Decide what you want to get from the car. Once you know what type of driving you want to use it for, then you can see what you want to invest in.

 

[eliot22]

I say do the mods that are fun first: Flowmaster cat-back, off-road H-pipe, 3.73 gears, shifter.

Then go for bang-for-buck mods: cold air induction w/ K&N, under-drive pulleys, Nitto Drag radials.

Then get the car ready for the bigger mods:
Intake: larger MAM, TB, intake
Exhaust: headers
Fuel: 255LPH fuel pump, 24lb injectors


From there, you can move to new heads, blower, nitrous, or all three! Oh yeah, don't forget to upgrade the clutch!

 

[crunchie12268]

I said what would you guys do to a Bone Stock Straight from the Factory Car... that way I figured people could relate to it more generally. And also I said for street, like driving around, maybe taking it to the track, maybe a couple of street races.... a good Z06 killer or Suburau STI

 

[HISSIN50]

i posted my two cents on the fan thread.

 

[Mustang5L5]

i posted my two cents on the fan thread.

Me too. Way too much work to copy paste now

 

[50sleeper]

my experience

Been a long time since I was on this board... Had to sell my stang when I bought my house and now years later I have finally saved up enough to go shopping for my next one!!! Anybody selling a black lx 5spd?

Ok, back to topic.

The first thing I did on both my previous stangs was pulleys. They are cheap, very effective and you can do them yourself with simple handtools. Check out ebay and find a used set for around $40 and a new set for under a hundred. Subframes help more than most people think and there is a guy on ebay selling the crossbar ones for $40, a great mod for the price as well. I think a cat back is the best mod you can do to your stang (well maybe tied with gears) Good luck trying not to grin when you step on the gas and hear that growl! Good low buck mods like pulleys, subframes, maybe a K&N then exhaust and gears when you have the money.

 

[eliot22]

I said what would you guys do to a Bone Stock Straight from the Factory Car... that way I figured people could relate to it more generally. And also I said for street, like driving around, maybe taking it to the track, maybe a couple of street races.... a good Z06 killer or Suburau STI

And you don't like our answers? I don't understand what you are looking for.

 

[acc14]

I said what would you guys do to a Bone Stock Straight from the Factory Car... that way I figured people could relate to it more generally. And also I said for street, like driving around, maybe taking it to the track, maybe a couple of street races.... a good Z06 killer or Suburau STI

Bone Stock Straight from the factory; remove air silencer(add K&N), Steeda Tri-x shifter, u/d pulleys, subframe connectors, gears, and then do the exhaust. Since your car isn't "new," do a basic tune up first: plugs, wires, cap & rotor, pcv, fuel filter, oil change, etc...etc... I'd honestly say get a shifter and subframe connectors first. I've had my Tri-X on my 92 GT for a couple of years now, and when I test drove an 04 GT, its shifter felt like a play-toy compared to the Steeda. I forgot how bad/loose factory shifters were.

Oh, and Later on: Dart block, Heads, Cam, Intake, and/or supercharge/turbo it.

Just my .02
Adam

 

[90mustangGT]

You might find a foxbody that is just like it left the factory, but it's taken a few detours in the meantime. So first start by making it run the way it did from the factory. Clean out the TB and intake, set all the sensors, Plugs, cap, rotor, wires, oil, trans, cooling, and even the emmisions system all need to be serviced into proper working condition. If the shocks or bushings are worn out, replace them, and so on. Where you go from there, that's up to you. There are flaws in the design of our cars, they should be handled first IMO.

Some people like to start with the suspension, others the drivetrain, and most the engine. The 5.0 motor in proper working condition is no punk from the factory, and in a light foxbody is a pretty good team. Power is usless without controll, so keep that in mind. Alot on how you build the car has to do with it's purpose. I belive that some sticky tires, gears, and subframes should be at the top of the list no matter how you plan to run it.

 

[scorp69]

the first two mods would be subframes and a shifter. then I would do exhaust minus headers. then springs and struts/shocks, bumpsteer kit. then tint the windows. then stereo system. then whatever deals i could find on engine bolt on's

 

[Scorcher2005]

I say do the mods that are fun first: Flowmaster cat-back, off-road H-pipe, 3.73 gears, shifter.

Then go for bang-for-buck mods: cold air induction w/ K&N, under-drive pulleys, Nitto Drag radials.

Then get the car ready for the bigger mods:
Intake: larger MAM, TB, intake
Exhaust: headers
Fuel: 255LPH fuel pump, 24lb injectors


From there, you can move to new heads, blower, nitrous, or all three! Oh yeah, don't forget to upgrade the clutch!

Heh, since when is a cold air kit a bang for the buck mod? your getting maybe 2-5 hp from $150? Thats not even worth it. Also i dont think you would need a 255lph pump for 24lb injectors.

If you dont need the rear seats, take em out. that gets rid of 50lbs right there. put some racing buckets up front and you can save another 20-30 lbs. Then put the battery in the trunk. That right there should put you close to dropping a tenth.

What i did first on my car was exhaust: bbk shorties, bbk x w/ cats, and flowmaster 40 series. I went that route because my previous exhaust broke while dring down a very bumpy road.

 

[eliot22]

Heh, since when is a cold air kit a bang for the buck mod? your getting maybe 2-5 hp from $150? Thats not even worth it. Also i dont think you would need a 255lph pump for 24lb injectors.

If you dont need the rear seats, take em out. that gets rid of 50lbs right there. put some racing buckets up front and you can save another 20-30 lbs. Then put the battery in the trunk. That right there should put you close to dropping a tenth.

What i did first on my car was exhaust: bbk shorties, bbk x w/ cats, and flowmaster 40 series. I went that route because my previous exhaust broke while dring down a very bumpy road.

Maybe YOUR CAI was $150. I got the Moroso w/ K&N for $80. You don't NEED 255lph, but any unused fuel goes right back to the tank so you might as well go with the largest pump available (they are the same price) that way you won't have to upgrade in the future. That was a mistake I made.

 

[crunchie12268]

Does anybody think that the brakes should come first? I know they are crappy, but on a street car maybe they aren't as important. I would have to agree with the subframe connectors, they are a good first mod. So then the exhaust minus the headers. And then some gears and shifter, maybe some stiffer suspension.

Maybe it would be important to replace all the worn out items before you mod anything. Like bushing, plugs, clutch, etc. like freshen up the motor so you have a good foundation?

 

[crunchie12268]

Okay, well I am going to do MY list... so here it is:


1. Some decent tires such as Nitto, Yokahoma, BF Good Rich
2. Sub Frame Connectors
3. 3.55-3.73-4.10 rear end gears
4. Short Throw Shifter (Steeda Tri Ax, Pro 5.0, MGW, B&M)
5. Delete Smog/ AC and components
6. 3G Alternator Upgrade
7. Ford Motorsport Underdrive Pulleys
8. Higher Performance Clutch (Ford, SPEC, RAM etc.)
9. Offroad H-pipe (BBK, Magnaflow, etc.)
10. Nice Catback System (American Thunder, Borla, Magnaflow)
11. Convert to All wheel disk brakes/ Better Pads/ Adjustable Proportioning Valve (SN95, PBR,)
12. K&N Air filter
13. Weight Reduction (Seats, stereo, fog light bracket...etc.)
14. Shocks/Struts/Springs/Bushings (Energy suspension, Koni, KYB, etc.)
15. Heads (Edelbrock, Trickflow, AFR, Ford etc.)
16. Timing Chain
17. Camshaft (Isky, FRPP, trickflow etc.)
18. 1.6,1.7,1.72 roller rockers (depending on cam)
19. Better intake (port stock one, trickflow, GT40, edlebrock, Cobra etc.)
20 24,28,30,34,36# injectors (depending)
21 65,70,75mm Throttle Body (edelbrock, accufab, bbk, etc.)
22. Calibrated Mass Air Meter (Prom, C&L, etc.)
23. Larger Fuel Pump (195, 255lph etc.)
24. Upper/Lower Control Arms (steeda, bbk, d&d etc.)
25. Steeda 5 Link Suspension ))
26. Electric Fan
27. Stronger Tranny (TKO, T5Z, Super Heavy Duty T-5 etc.)
28. Front Suspension Components ( K-Member, A-arms etc.)
29. 100 Shot of Nitrous (NOS, Venom, Edelbrock, Vex etc.)

Alright, there is something to work on, what do you guys think, did I miss anything... or is anything out of order?