Upgrade Advice - Tuner and CAI

MilwaukieStang · Nov 28, 2009

I'm looking for some advice on Tuners and CAI:

Tuner Choices:
]I'm considering the Bully Dog Triple Dog Gasoline Downloader Tuner SMP-40510 to take care of the tuning. Does anyone have experience with this unit?

An alternative I'm considering, is the SCT 9600 LiveWire Mustang Tuner. Can anyone tell me how this works for them?

Cold Air Intakes I'm considering:
Steeda 555-3139 Cold Air Intake Kit w/ Carbon Fiber Inlet Elbow.

C&L 10699-05PR Trueflow Racer Air Intake System

These will be controlling the flow for a 2009 Mustang GT (Manual Trans.). I've already selected the following items:Borla 140135 catback "S" pipes; BBK Performance 1763 Twin 62mm Throttle Body; Steeda 555-3106 Throttle Body Spacer, and; Steeda 701-0005-A Underdrive Pulley System.

So what are your opinions of the tuner and CAI choices? Are there any others I should be looking at?

Thanks for your input!

V6Vin · Nov 29, 2009

I think everybody (most) use the SCT X3 flash tuner on the mustangs. I got mine and 3 custom tunes from Brenspeed. Very happy with it.

SCT Link- SCT Automotive Performance Products

Brenspeed link- Mustang Performance Parts & Upgrades by Brenspeed

lightblade · Nov 29, 2009

go with sct xcal2 or 3. Bama, brenspeed or bbr for the tune

NastyStang113 · Nov 30, 2009

I'd recommend the Xcal3 from VMP Tuning with custom tunes and a C&L Racer.

VMP Tuning - Buy Ford SCT & GM Custom Handheld Flash Tuners Performance Economy Towing: 05-09 Mustang GT Custom SCT X3 Flasher and C&L Racer Intake

Also, do not waste your money on either the TB or TB Spacer.

MilwaukieStang · Nov 30, 2009

NastyStang113 said:
I'd recommend the Xcal3 from VMP Tuning with custom tunes and a C&L Racer.

VMP Tuning - Buy Ford SCT & GM Custom Handheld Flash Tuners Performance Economy Towing: 05-09 Mustang GT Custom SCT X3 Flasher and C&L Racer Intake

Also, do not waste your money on either the TB or TB Spacer.

What makes TB & TB spacer a waste of money? I would think anything allowing more air & fuel would be a good thing. I do plan to do head work to increase flow.

Wraith413 · Dec 1, 2009

People have had lots of problems with other brands of TB's. Lots of horror stories on any 'Stang forum using those. The GT 500 TB's are the ones to buy, if and when you need the extra flow.

walter · Dec 1, 2009

Now Ford Racing has aftermarket GT throttles that are direct replacements. Pricy though... very pricy.

ViperNuge · Dec 2, 2009

After much research I opted for a brenspeed sct tune with a jlt cai.........my auto trans will now spin em hard into second and third gear...........auto trans!!!! Nice!! Best money I have ever spent. Took over 4 tenths off my quarter mile time.

I would also buy from bama, tillman and vmp.........they are all very respected tuners.

patrick

bradleyem · Dec 3, 2009

I have an SCT Livewire and Brenspeed 93 Octane tune. I am VERY happy with it. I like being able to monitor and datalog different paramaters with the livewire, and having a shift light and my speed displayed on the unit so that I don't have to look down at the (inaccurate) speedometer is nice too.

J.Cagle · Dec 3, 2009

You a fellow Jeep owner there bradleyem?

bradleyem · Dec 4, 2009

Yeah, I traded my 1973 FJ40 Land Cruiser on 35s for a '95 Wrangler. My wife couldn't drive the 'Cruiser and it sucked in the winter because it basically had no heat. I have never been a big fan of Jeeps (well, to be more accurate, some Jeep owners) because they would come to offroad events where we were driving pretty modified Toyota rigs with their parents stock Jeep and think that they could go everywhere that we did. Then when they broke or got body damage they would whine like babies. Jeeps are a great platform to build on and make a very capable offroad rig, but like everything else, it takes mods and work to get them there. My wrangler (or my wifes, since she drives it most of the time) had the light bar, fog lights and some pretty good rock sliders when I got it. The suspension and tires are still stock, which I'll soon be changing. I'm going to do a 4" lift and put some 33" BFG Mud Terrains and it should be a decent off road toy, but still be very streetable. Heres a pic of my old land cruiser:

walter · Dec 4, 2009

I'd feel pretty confident saying that that's not a winter vehicle.

bradleyem · Dec 4, 2009

Well, I did have the hard top and everything for it, but the heater in that thing wouldn't even defrost the windows, much less keep the occupants warm.

Plus with an old unsynchronized 3 speed transmission, and a 6 cylinder "tractor motor" top speed was about 50MPH, downhill with a strong tail wind, and the motor screaming....LOL

But it was still a fun vehicle....especially off road.

bradleyem · Dec 4, 2009

Here's a perfect example of the type of jeeper that I'm talking about. I had to pull this guy out after he took his dads stock jeep into the river without paying attention to how deep it was. The motor was hydralocked, and all he kept saying is "my dad is gonna' kill me"

View attachment 237442

walter · Dec 4, 2009

Epic fail...

ViperNuge · Dec 5, 2009

bradleyem said:
Here's a perfect example of the type of jeeper that I'm talking about. I had to pull this guy out after he took his dads stock jeep into the river without paying attention to how deep it was. The motor was hydralocked, and all he kept saying is "my dad is gonna' kill me"

OMG................freaking hilarious!!

patrick

MilwaukieStang · Dec 14, 2009

Sorry about hijacking this thread back to the topic I originated it for...lol!

I've revised my parts list:

Magnaflow Tru-X X-Pipe (Catted)
Borla Stinger S-Type Catback (05-09 GT)
C&L Racer Cold Air Intake
SCT LiveWire Mustang Tuner w/ Free Custom Tunes, Windshield Mount & Free Custom Tune
C&L Performance 3 Valve Intake Manifold (05-10 GT)
Steeda Mustang Underdrive Pulley System (05-10 Mustang GT)
BBK Twin 62mm Throttle Body (Should I, or not?)
Steeda 4.6L Intake Throttle Body Spacer (Should I, or not?)

And your thoughts on this package? I appreciate the input, thanks!

walter · Dec 14, 2009

Here we go.

X-pipe will be mostly for sound at these power levels It'll give you couple of horses at the wheel.
Borla Stingers are awesome I have the steedas which are a little deeper then the Borla and I love them.
C&L Racer is great if you can find one.
SCT livewire is pretty pimp but pricey you could do cheaper with a handheld tuner.
C&L Performance 3v intake manifold. I thought about it and it's a great addition especially if you'll get a centrifugal supercharger.
BBK twin throttle. These are not that great a lot of people have problems getting them to work for only a couple of horses. At that point I'd follow C&L's advice and get the Kenne Bell Single blade throttle which is huge and has more power potential.
Throttle spacer = expensive paper weight.

That's my rundown.

I'd personally do an intake + tuner combo and add a lightweight one piece driveshaft. Those mods will give you the best return for your money power wise.

But with me it's all about suspension tuning. These cars are quick but they lack the handling and stability. You'll be amazed how much nicer a mustang that's been setup drives compared to a similar one (power wise) riding on stock suspension, wheels/tires and brakes.

bradleyem · Dec 16, 2009

Yeah, sorry for hijacking your thread.....

Here's my thoughts.....

Magnaflow Tru-X X-Pipe (Catted) I've heard that people like these, but have no experience with them. Like Walter said, mainly for sound.

Borla Stinger S-Type Catback (05-09 GT) Again, no experience.....I have the SLP Loudmouth and am happy with them, although they do have a little raspiness and drone.

C&L Racer Cold Air Intake Nothing but great reviews of these....I want one but it seems that they are backordered everywhere

SCT LiveWire Mustang Tuner w/ Free Custom Tunes, Windshield Mount & Free Custom Tune I'm very happy with mine, although a hand held does almost everything that it does.

C&L Performance 3 Valve Intake Manifold (05-10 GT) I am not convinced about these.....From what I've heard, the gains aren't that great in a N/A setup, and for the price, I would expect significant gains. Also, it would be a waste once I go F/I.

Steeda Mustang Underdrive Pulley System (05-10 Mustang GT) Always a good mod

BBK Twin 62mm Throttle Body (Should I, or not?) Again, on a N/A car, the gains aren't worth the cost, IMO.

Steeda 4.6L Intake Throttle Body Spacer (Should I, or not?) Total waste

MilwaukieStang · Dec 19, 2009

I've been busy figuring out the way I want to go and have come up with this:

Magnaflow Tru-X X-Pipe

Borla Stinger S-Type Axle Backl

Stainless Steel Exhaust Hanger Kit

SCT LiveWire Mustang Tuner w/ Free Custom Tunes & Windshield Mount

BBK Twin 62mm Throttle Body

C&L Performance 3 Valve Intake Manifold

Shelby Strut Tower Brace

Steeda Mustang Underdrive Pulley System

C&L Racer Cold Air Intake

Comp Cams Stage II XFI VSR Camshafts

Comp Cams Valve Springs Beehive

Comp Cams Valve Spring Steel Retainers

Motive Performance Plus 3.90 Gears (8.8in)

Motive Bearing Kit (8.8in)

Ford Racing 8.8" Traction-LOK Rebuild Kit w/ Carbon Discs

I've added the cams and I was thinking 3.73, as I didn't want to go as high as 4.10; but then I saw the 3.90's and read the reviews. Looks like a good middle ground between mild and radical.

On the right track? better suggestions? Your advice is appreciated.

Upgrade Advice - Tuner and CAI

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