Time to pimp my ride! Tuning suggestions.

[EN7]

I'm about to put a new clutch in my 94 GT, but I was wondering how this will effect my tuning. Since I haven’t bought my clutch yet I thought I'd ask you guys.

In general I want my car to be a road machine that can still pound pavement at the strip. I want it to be comfortable, yet at a moments notice, very capable.
Basically I want to do to my car, what Saleen, Roush, SVT or other tuners do to the Mustang. Something that can take on the track no problem, but can still be civil on the streets. Basically, an M3 killer.

My goal is somewhere around 350-500 HP and about the same for torque (and 40 Mpg ).

Let me know what you think would be a good setup for engine, drivetrain, trany, whatever (don't forget the clutch).

 

[ROLLIN5.0]

350-500hp is a huge range. If your shooting for the bottom end of the spectrum, you can do H/C/I, and all the supporting mods, and maybe put a 75 shot on top. You could also go the other route, and leave the longblock basically stock, and throw on a blower. For the higher range, you will need to do a stroker, or a H/C/I + power adder. Do some searches, read some more posts. All the info that you could possibly need is already on here. You just have to find it.
Brandon

 

[EN7]

Well I want to keep it N/A and I don't much care for NO2, so I'm looking at a some major engine modification.

For the most part I'm just looking for references from other members as to what has worked for them.

 

[bimmertech]

if you want an M3 killer, what i would suggest is a whole lot of suspension. h/c/i, bolt-ons, a road race 5-spd or t-56 and then put a whole bunch of money into the interior. or you could just buy an M3 for a little less than what you've got into this mustang, and then you could make a mustang killer.

 

[Car Nut]

For the engine stuff, look at getting a new setup from CHP or DSS. You're gonna need a stroker based on a 302 (lower end) or a 351 (higher end, like near 500hp). You'll need much better brakes, a strengthened rear end, upgraded tranny, upgraded cooling, and definitely some suspension work to keep things under control. I've probably forgotten about a dozen other important things, but these are worth mentioning.

Basically, you need to upgrade just about everything to some degree to build it safely and reliably.

Like said before, you've got a good bit of reading to do first on this site as there is some great essential information already here. It just all depends on where you want to go, how you want to get there, AND how much $$$ you can throw at it. Don't forget to factor in how long it will take you to complete the whole project.

Do a search for 5.0 Mustang & Super Fords magazine online and find an article in their March 2004 edition. There is a great article on "building a project stang."

Again, don't expect too many responses on this, because like most of us, you've got to do your reading homework first.

Good luck.

 

[Car Nut]

if you want an M3 killer, what i would suggest is a whole lot of suspension. h/c/i, bolt-ons, a road race 5-spd or t-56 and then put a whole bunch of money into the interior. or you could just buy an M3 for a little less than what you've got into this mustang, and then you could make a mustang killer.

I totally agree. I've spent easily more than $1,500 on suspension alone, but the rewards are unreal. However, I'm not done. Still got another $1,500 or so to go to complete the rear setup from Maximum Motorsports: torque arm, panhard bar, lower control arms, rear sway bar, and torque arm rear springs.

My car gives me great confidence now, even though my overall power is relatively weak. Grip, traction, feel, and stability are greatly improved. Body roll is barely present and brake dive is no longer noticeable. Similar to an M3, a good suspension makes your car predictable and far superior than stock.

To beat M3 or similar cars, you might as well build with quality and durability in mind. My philosophy is to build a good foundation first, then follow it up with an appropriate amount of engine mods. Otherwise, 500hp could break a lot of stock stuff on a stang over a short period of time.