T.B. & Plenum vs Chip/Programmer

[stng]

Well I worked a lot of overtime last check and I think it is time for another mod... Just want some opinions on the best bang for the buck, and I am torn between a bigger throttle body and plenum or getting a programmer or chip. Here is my mods so far...
2000 Mustang GT White with Black Mach 1 Striping
K&N Fenderwell Intake
Steeda Underdrive Pulleys
BBK Ceramic Coated Long Tube Headers
2 1/2" Exhaust/Off Road H-Pipe/Raven Mufflers/3" Tips
Steeda Tri Ax
FFRP 3:73's
Bridgestone Potenza's 245/45/R17

Any input/brand names would be greatly appreciated...

Lastly any ideas what my rwhp might be, and 1/4 mile times (Ball Park)?

Thanks Again

 

[hotdog71]

Both would be good of course
But I went with the predator performance tune I installed at the weekend and what a huge difference from the stock tune.
So much smoother and responsive and fixed my surging issue.
I read the tune has a better gains to the RWHP than the intake and not only did it improve my overall performance i get better MPG's too I am more than happy with the gains and for only $400
I am going to get intake too at some point.

 

[CENTENNIALSTANG]

Chip Is better but low end is helped a hell of a lot with the TB Plenum upgrade but if you get the TB plenum get 75mm

 

[Jinx]

I would have to say chip/programmer since you have the UD pulleys and the 3:73s. You can tweek your timing for the pulleys and you can correct your speedo/odometer for the 3:73s.

 

[StangPro]

Since you asked bang for the buck, there is no comparison.

Both mods will get you about the same power, but consider the long term costs.

The plenum/tb (we sell a ton of the Dragon's, but whichever brand you get...) will get you about 10+ hp, no other changes needed.

The programmer requires a dyno tune to get it exact, or you can tune it (not sure of your knowledge level). Either way though, the majority of the power comes from optimiing the timing for use of 93 octane.
This adds about $2 or more to each fill-up. I'm not sure how much you drive but figure a tank a week, or roughly another $100 a year on average for the life of the car at current gas prices.

For me, I fill up twice a week or more so in a year that adds up fast.

 

[stangliter04]

save another 400 and get them both at the same time, then you can tune your car for the TB and plenum as well as the gears and UD pulleys.

 

[twogts4us]

low end is helped a hell of a lot with the TB Plenum upgrade

I disagree - it's not the low end, it's 3500 plus RPMs where an aftermarket plenum/TB will 'kick in'.

 

[Redfire03GT]

I disagree - it's not the low end, it's 3500 plus RPMs where an aftermarket plenum/TB will 'kick in'.

I've seemed to have the opposite effect of which you're speaking of.

On my comparison dyno's, I had hardly any peak HP gained when switching over the stock ported plenum, stock TB, stock tubing for the C&L Plenum, BBK 75mm TB and C&L Pipe.

In the low end how ever, I had showed significant gains. Most people just looked at the peak numbers and said I had gained a whooping 7rwhp but failed to look at the curve before the peak.

 

[hotdog71]

both have pros and cons of course
but for me the Predator tuner gave me great overall performance gain feel

 

[csledd]

we have some of the same mods.. I bought the Accufab 75mm TB and Plenum and installed it the day before I got dyno tuned with my SCT Xcal 2. With my situation the tune made a ton of difference because my car was running 20% lean and when we gave it more fuel it made the whole power band stronger. Around 3500 RPMS I picked up 30rwhp and 40 rwtq, and gaining a max of 13 rwhp and 22 rwtq, around those numbers. But like I said, you cant' expect gains like that because your A/F ratio maybe perfectly fine.

 

[XXBULLETSXX]

I'm considering the same thing. But I was thinking of doing a TB and Plenum along with a Prochamber and then going to get Dyno tuned. Which then someone who knows what they're doing can fix my speedo for the 410's and get it running correctly for all my mods.
I've been told that many Dyno's will give you a discount if you belong to a club or do it at a club event. Around me it costs about $300 to get a Dyno tune so if you get a 10% discount you're only paying something like $270 which is fairly cheaper than a programer.

But then again, I'm just guessing here! Let us know what you decide to do.

 

[fudleyd]

Installation of a throttle body/plenum and a tuner working with it will really wake up your car! Personally, I got the Xcal2 and once the tune was dialed-in it felt like a different car. Peak power, the whole power curve, and responsiveness were all improved.