Planning some mods for the future...opinions?

[QUICK91LX]

Hey guys I am relatively new to the 4.6 world, and my car i think is pretty sweet as it is right now but there are some upgrades Id like to do. Here is a short list of ideas I have, which will take place over time (i sure dont have the cash to do it all at once) but any opinions you have or changes you would make, post them up...

ENGINE:
BBK Intake Plenum
BBK 70mm TB
VT Stage 1 Cams

DRIVETRAIN:
Roush Shifter (mostly for looks)
3.90 Gears (It's still a Daily Driver)

INTERIOR:
03/04 Cobra or Mach 1 Seats
Dash Trim (IUP style) and Door Trim
Running Pony Floor Mats

EXTERIOR:
17x9 and 17x10.5 Deep Dish Anthracite Bullitts


Heres how it looks now...the wheels on it are nice but i CANT STAND the sunken in look of the rears...
Clicky Clicky

 

[BooWFO]

Sounds like you've done your homework. You'll proably want to figure in a Dyno tune after the cams though? As far as gears go I got 4.10's and it's fine with that OD we have. What are your future plans with the car? Since by your sig you already have 3.55's I don't see 3.90's been worth the $ to swap to IMO.

 

[sgarlic]

ENGINE:
BBK Intake Plenum
BBK 70mm TB
VT Stage 1 Cams

DRIVETRAIN:
Roush Shifter (mostly for looks)
3.90 Gears (It's still a Daily Driver)

INTERIOR:
03/04 Cobra or Mach 1 Seats
Dash Trim (IUP style) and Door Trim
Running Pony Floor Mats

EXTERIOR:
17x9 and 17x10.5 Deep Dish Anthracite Bullitts

I wouldn't bother with the tb and intake, it's a waste of money IMHO. May get you 2-3 horsies. Lots of buzz abotu these VT cams, I say go for it. I'm guessing you're auto based on the above post, but I agree as well with the above poster about 4.10's. That's undebatable, no less than 4.10's for a n/a daily driver.

If you find a good place to pick up some cobra seats from, let me know, I'm also looking to swap to those. The IUP stuff, you can get from Randy Stinchcomb over at Modular Depot's forums, he can get you it for less than you'll pay for the package somewhere else online. And the wheels.. .. I'm going for some cobra wheels down the road.. but I love those deep dish bullits.

 

[Dark Knight GT]

You'll proably want to figure in a Dyno tune after the cams though?

A dyno tune will be a must if he swaps cams. He will need a tune to get his a/f ratio and ignition timing correct.

As far as gears go I got 4.10's and it's fine with that OD we have.

Yup. I'm running 4.30's in my daily driven n/a automatic, and I love them.

What are your future plans with the car?

This is a good question. The more we know about your future plans, the more we can advise you on what to do for future mods.

Since by your sig you already have 3.55's I don't see 3.90's been worth the $ to swap to IMO.

I have to agree. If you're planning on staying n/a, then anything shy of 4.10's from would probably be a waste. Lots of guys use 4.10's and 4.30's in daily driven cars with no problems. Many people are afraid of the few extra hundred rpms, but I wouldn't worry about it. Its not that big of a deal.

I wouldn't bother with the tb and intake, it's a waste of money IMHO. May get you 2-3 horsies.

I can't say that I agree. There are proven dyno gains with aftermarket plenum/throttle body combos on basic bolt-on GT's, showing improvements in power of up to 10 rwhp. If he does cam work, then his gains will be even better, since the plenum and throttle body will help more air get to the motor.

Lots of buzz abotu these VT cams, I say go for it.

I agree. Cams are a good idea. It also depends on how far he is willing to go. VT Engines also has stage II cams, which I feel are better for the money if you want a hard hitting cam. The only problem is with Stage II's you have to use aftermarket valve springs. I think the power difference on most n/a bolt-on GT's between the stage I and stage II cams is like 10rwhp at peak. Personally, if you can afford it, you might as well get the stage II cylinder heads and stage II cams. Why do I say that ? Well, you're going to have to tear the intake, fuel system, and front cover of the motor off just to swap cams. Might as well go a bit further while you're in there and swap the heads. Either way, cams and heads or cams and no heads, he will need a dyno tune following the swap.

I'm guessing you're auto based on the above post, but I agree as well with the above poster about 4.10's. That's undebatable, no less than 4.10's for a n/a daily driver.

I agree. I also agree that Randy Stinchcomb is a great guy to deal with. I've never had any problems with ordering from him.

 

[sgarlic]

I can't say that I agree. There are proven dyno gains with aftermarket plenum/throttle body combos on basic bolt-on GT's, showing improvements in power of up to 10 rwhp. If he does cam work, then his gains will be even better, since the plenum and throttle body will help more air get to the motor.

Notice in his post above, he said he plans to do a 70mm TB. I can't see a 70mm TB and plenum gaining him 10rwhp with no other mods. With nothing to take advantage of a bigger TB, there's no sense.

If after he does the cam install, if he goes for something a little more agressive than 70, then maybe he'll get something out of it. There's been several heated debates over at modular depot regarding people running aftermarket TB's on N/A cars.. IMHO, 70mm isn't worth the price. Go bigger after you do the cams.

 

[Dark Knight GT]

There is also the debate of better low end torque production with a 70mm setup over a 75mm setup. Then the debate has the flip side to the coin, in the sense that a 75mm setup makes a bit more power on top end.

 

[timeless2]

Yeah, read this thread through, completely:

http://forums.stangnet.com/showthread.php?t=246291

 

[QUICK91LX]

my car is a 5-spd...my past experience is with 5.0's and 4.10's we know is a waste on a mild bolt (CAI, exhaust, TB) on daily driven 5.0. it is and will always be a daily driver, i just want it to rip a little harder...a solid mid 13 sec car is plenty for me to drive every day. sounds like ill definitely do the cam work, 4.10's and 75mmTB with plenum...i wouldnt do the TB and plenum on my stock motor, but i thought that it would be worth it after doing cams. i definitely dont have the $ to do the whole stage 2 heads and cams but maybe one day in the future who knows...all this stuff listed will be over the next year or so as it is...thanks for your advice though guys it was alot of help!

 

[timeless2]

my car is a 5-spd...my past experience is with 5.0's and 4.10's we know is a waste on a mild bolt (CAI, exhaust, TB) on daily driven 5.0. it is and will always be a daily driver, i just want it to rip a little harder...a solid mid 13 sec car is plenty for me to drive every day. sounds like ill definitely do the cam work, 4.10's and 75mmTB with plenum...i wouldnt do the TB and plenum on my stock motor, but i thought that it would be worth it after doing cams. i definitely dont have the $ to do the whole stage 2 heads and cams but maybe one day in the future who knows...all this stuff listed will be over the next year or so as it is...thanks for your advice though guys it was alot of help!

Good luck, Bill! Most importantly, don't break the bank and have fun!