What next?

[morstang05]

What should I do next?
I have a 2005 mustang gt. Price is on a budget so SC is def out of the question, but what else can I do to increase my hp without spending thousands? All info is appreciated!!

Current mods:
BBK LT Headers with high flow xpipe. Single chamber muffs
SCT Tune, 87, 93 performance, and 93 Race.
CAI.

 

[Moochman4life]

Good morning, man.

What is your plan for the car? Tooling around on the street, the strip...road track? Do you have a long range, "I eventually want to get this done" idea for the car? That should dictate where you go next.

If you want to go faster 0-60, 1/8 or 1/4 mile, you should also look into new rubber, new suspension components, or even shaving some weight. You don't necessarily need more horsepower...although more horsepower is always good, in my opinion.

Other than my shocks/struts, here's my best bang for the buck mod: my Shaftmasters 3.5" aluminum driveshaft. It's even better if you can do it yourself. Less rotating mass means more power to the wheels. Slightly better fuel economy. The car feels more "put together" since the one piece ds replaces the stock two-piece. It's aluminum...it's lighter. Less weight, less rotating mass = faster.

Hope that helps.

 

[Spdfreak]

JLT Cold Air Induction and SCT III tuner combo.

$549 shipped from American Muscle.

(No, I don't work for them, but I'd love a discount for the plug!)

 

[erichmess_]

An aluminum driveshaft is always a good choice, IMO. Saving weight and rotational mass is very helpful to your HP.

Do you have a short throw shifter? You didn't mention one. Obviously it won't increase horsepower, but it does make the car easier to drive.

You could add an intake manifold from C&L performance. You could also do cams, which add a lot of HP and make the car sound amazing. Though watch out for a drop in TQ. Might be best to pair these add ons with new gears.

You also shouldn't overlook things like suspension and braking. What's all that power if you can't wield it with precision? Shocks, struts, sway bar, CC plates, control arms, panhard bar, etc. This area shouldn't be neglected for the sake of power.

 

[morstang05]

thanks for the replies, as for the car, not strip race or anything, just want more power for having fun with freinds driving around. As for the car, I have cold air intake and SCT III tuner. What other mods as far as engine? what about ported heads, would it be worth the money for the power? I have though about the drive shaft part, can anyone tell me what specific part #

 

[morstang05]

Suspensions has been upgraded by the guy i bought the car from, its really tight and stiff, and have panhard as well. Have hurst shorth throw as well, just want more power. of course, no amount of hp will ever be enough

 

[Moochman4life]

thanks for the replies, as for the car, not strip race or anything, just want more power for having fun with freinds driving around. As for the car, I have cold air intake and SCT III tuner. What other mods as far as engine? what about ported heads, would it be worth the money for the power? I have though about the drive shaft part, can anyone tell me what specific part #

Here you go, man:

Ford Mustang Aluminum Driveshaft 3.5" V8 GT Direct Bolt-In

The company is is easy to work with, as well.

 

[morstang05]

How bout switching my heads to ported heads? Still want to be able to drive on the street BTW

 

[Moochman4life]

How bout switching my heads to ported heads? Still want to be able to drive on the street BTW

Getting new heads are going to do the one thing you didn't want to do in your OP: cost thousands of dollars.

 

[Mustanglvr2006]

If you're not planning on going with a S/C I would suggest 410 gears, will not increase HP but will def be a huge improvement (seat of the pants feel) over the stock 331's if thats what you have now.

I payed around 550-600 total cost for buying the gears/install kit and install of the gears. I got a great deal from my mechanic for the install ($300) you may pay a little more for the install unless you have a friend who is a mechanic and owns his own shop. But, it shouldn't cost you more than 700-800 total cost.

A one piece aluminum D/S would be a great mod as well, Silver Horse Racing has one.....
Shaftmasters Bolt-In Aluminum Driveshaft scroll down to the drop down box click on -V8/GT T35D Man./Auto V8 GT (05-10) (Price: 599.99 Weight 19 lbs)

The cheapest I've found for a one piece aluminum D/S yet and SHR sells nothing but the best quality products.

Best of luck

 

[erichmess_]

Oh, also, Steeda Underdrive pulleys can add a little power, too.

 

[morstang05]

as for gear, it has the stock 3.55 gears. would 4.10 be too dramatic and kill gas mileage? How noticeable would the 4.10s be from my stock 3.55s

 

[Moochman4life]

Quite noticeable in terms of the "ooompf" factor. Although you can tune it out, your top speed is going to go down...but your "ET" is going to go down in every category as long as you drive well.

I've kept the 3.55's on mine because the overall performance of the 3.55's across every range is suitable for me: drag, street, road trip, road course, DD.

If you're trying to go from 0-60 as fast as possible, 4.10's are a nice bang for the buck.

 

[morstang05]

loosing top speed is a given, and I know you gain low end with 4.10's but would your top end suffer?