What Should Be My First Mod?

[Stang_Dawg]

I picked up a 2001 bright Bust Me red GT last year and have just now started looking at mods. It's all stock right now, and I'm wondering what my first mod should be. Keep in mind that it's not for racing - I just wanna beef it up a bit for my riding pleasure, so I definitely need to keep it nice and legal and emissions-friendly.

I'm leaning towards getting the Bassani X pipes and corresponding headers first, then grabbing a cold air induction kit (any recommendations?). To follow that up I'm thinking about a lower thermostat, bigger fuel regulator, better injectors, a wider throttle body, and to top it all off, a better chip.

Any input from you all would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Car Nut]

A K&N alone is good, but don't forget these items for first mods:

Subframes and other chasis stiffening stuff
Gears
Suspension (springs, shocks/struts, etc.)
Dual Piston front brakes

A well done suspension is a great way to get the most out of the power you already have (more power is icing on the cake). A better suspension is also a good safety measure. Please know that I'm not talking about a great lowered look, but getting lowered the right way to improve actual performance.

 

[COramprat]

Is it an auto or 5speed? If 5-speed get you a short throw shifter. Steeda Tri-ax or Pro 5.0.

A Bassani X-pipe will not be emissions friendly uless it is a catted one.

The CAI's are not much in the HP dept but good things have been said about Densecharger, K&N's Filter Pack and a new one oth the market Mac's Straight shot.

If you go with a bigger throttle body get an aftermarket plenium to go along with it. C&L, Accufab, Trickflow and Dragon are all pretty compariable.

 

[Stang_Dawg]

Yeah, I thought the suspension might be a little expensive for an initial mod. I forgot to mention that yes, it is a 5-speed - autos are for chumps!

I guess my bottom-line question is twofold:

1) What would be the best bang-for-the-buck first mod for a stock 01 GT?
2) What would be the best first mod if cost were not a consideration?

Whatcha think?

 

[V_Eight]

Where in Atlanta are you?

I've got a Bright Red GT 5-Speed also.

 

[Lsredy2kstang]

Hey man, you would get more responses in the 4.6 forum, so I am going to copy this thread to that one for ya!

 

[01mgvert]

Yeah, I thought the suspension might be a little expensive for an initial mod. I forgot to mention that yes, it is a 5-speed - autos are for chumps!

I guess my bottom-line question is twofold:

1) What would be the best bang-for-the-buck first mod for a stock 01 GT?
2) What would be the best first mod if cost were not a consideration?

Whatcha think?

Here is a list of the best first mods: An x-pipe (catted if necessary) will give you 8-10 rwhp ($200-400). A larger tb & plenum will give you another 8-10 rwhp ($400). A K & N air filter is good for about 1-2 rwhp ($50). If traction is a problem, get LCAs ($230) and UCAs ($230). When you get more money, but LT headers ($600-700) which are good for 15-20 rwhp.

 

[V_Eight]

Here is a list of the best first mods: An x-pipe (catted if necessary) will give you 8-10 rwhp ($200-400). A larger tb & plenum will give you another 8-10 rwhp ($400). A K & N air filter is good for about 1-2 rwhp ($50). If traction is a problem, get LCAs ($230) and UCAs ($230). When you get more money, but LT headers ($600-700) which are good for 15-20 rwhp.

How about a Steeda Tri-Ax, Lowering Springs, and Weld-In Mufflers instead?

 

[NDBullitt]

Gears?

4.10s would really really wake it up, but traction would become an issue. Nothing some Nitto 555Rs on the back can't handle, though.

 

[01mgvert]

How about a Steeda Tri-Ax, Lowering Springs, and Weld-In Mufflers instead?

I don't think that the springs and mufflers will add much performance. I did, however, forget rear end gears as a great first mod. Since the 4.6 lacks the low end torque of the 5.0, lower gears really wake it up. I love my 4.10s, and they were my first mod, after subframe connectors.

 

[V_Eight]

I don't think that the springs and mufflers will add much performance. I did, however, forget rear end gears as a great first mod. Since the 4.6 lacks the low end torque of the 5.0, lower gears really wake it up. I love my 4.10s, and they were my first mod, after subframe connectors.

0-60 in 5.5 is plenty for 99.999% of people on the roads. Don't assume too much about this guy.

 

[NightLife]

Yeah, I thought the suspension might be a little expensive for an initial mod. I forgot to mention that yes, it is a 5-speed - autos are for chumps!

I guess my bottom-line question is twofold:

1) What would be the best bang-for-the-buck first mod for a stock 01 GT?
2) What would be the best first mod if cost were not a consideration?

Whatcha think?

here i'll answer.

the mods you said while are decent aren't great first mods and wont be a huge improvement.... i think you would be disapointed...

now for the answer.

1. gears and a speedcal... if not that a steeda tri-ax or a 5.0 pro... or the steeda shifter and pro handle... (wow that sounds like i typed it already today!) if not that MM subframes are a good bet as well. (maximumotorsports.com)

2. dont screw around w/ little stuff and go w/ the blower

in the future please look at the first and 2nd pages... im almost 100% postive that theres at least 3 threads w/ the EXACT same question within those 2 pages... a search doesnt hurt either.

 

[inferno9898]

definitely go with a short throw shifter first. its one of the cheaper mods you can do, you can do it yourself, and it will give you a lot more confidence shifting. Pro 5.0 and Steeda Tri-ax are the most popular ones. I have the pro 5.0 and love it.

 

[GinoGT]

Since you're in Atlanta, your best bet is to drive over to Tim's shop and start throwing around obscene amounts of money. You might not be able to afford a home, clothes, or even eating afterwards...........but dear God, you will have one bad ass Mustang. :worship:

 

[01GT281]

gears

4.10's are okay for a dialy driven car and will FEEL like bolting on a lot more horsepower than a tb/plenum combo, K&N, chip, all that easy expensive stuff. If you install it yourself you will save a ton of cash that can be used for other mods. You can get cheap FRPP gears at gefracing.com $139 or something. However a nice catback exhaust sounds a hell of a lot better than a mach 460 sound system and will get you lots of looks but it's more $$$.

P.S. don't forget a speedcal it is a must. Some beefier tires down the road aren't a bad idea either. 4.10's pull good but getting traction is a different story!

 

[01GT281]

Since you're in Atlanta, your best bet is to drive over to Tim's shop and start throwing around obscene amounts of money. You might not be able to afford a home, clothes, or even eating afterwards...........but dear God, you will have one bad ass Mustang. :worship:

AMEN!

 

[NightLife]

4.10's are okay for a dialy driven car and will FEEL like bolting on a lot more horsepower than a tb/plenum combo, K&N, chip, all that easy expensive stuff. If you install it yourself you will save a ton of cash that can be used for other mods. You can get cheap FRPP gears at gefracing.com $139 or something. However a nice catback exhaust sounds a hell of a lot better than a mach 460 sound system and will get you lots of looks but it's more $$$.

P.S. don't forget a speedcal it is a must. Some beefier tires down the road aren't a bad idea either. 4.10's pull good but getting traction is a different story!

i wouldnt give him the advice on installing his own gears... unless he or someone whos going to help him (basically do it for him) knows wtf there doing...

 

[kboy262]

I guess my bottom-line question is twofold:

1) What would be the best bang-for-the-buck first mod for a stock 01 GT?
2) What would be the best first mod if cost were not a consideration?

Whatcha think?[/QUOTE]

Gears for the first question and gears again for the second, well maybe a blower.

 

[LI98GTStang]

I guess my bottom-line question is twofold:

1) What would be the best bang-for-the-buck first mod for a stock 01 GT?
2) What would be the best first mod if cost were not a consideration?

Whatcha think?

Gears for the first question and gears again for the second, well maybe a blower.[/QUOTE]

A little tough to answer because we all have our own personal preferences on what to improve first. My answer to number two for the "first mod - money no object" is a full stainless exhaust - shortys or LTs/ with a good mid high flow pipe and catback i.e Bassani. This, because you get sound and performance and is a good baseline from which to start the rest of the mods whether you go P/A or not. Done right the first time, you don't have to touch it ever again.

My answer to number one would be to (self)install a short throw shifter because the stock one is such a POS (no more missed 2nd-3rd shifts and added shifter stops for preventitive reasons) and it's good to start with a modification to build confidence - it get's the mod bug going. Closely followed by springs/shock upgrade because it makes such a difference in how the whole car feels and handles.

 

[BuffaloZone]

Yeah, I thought the suspension might be a little expensive for an initial mod. I forgot to mention that yes, it is a 5-speed - autos are for chumps!

You've raced any Lightnings?

I guess my bottom-line question is twofold:

1) What would be the best bang-for-the-buck first mod for a stock 01 GT?
2) What would be the best first mod if cost were not a consideration?

Whatcha think?

Gears. Did mine *last* - should have been first.