modding on a budget

[headtriip]

Alright guys this is my first time posting here (normally i tend to just read some of the threads) and i was hoping you guys could help me out. I want to start modding my car a little bit (nothing crazy like eventually putting on a supercharger or anything like that) i just want to make it a bit more fun to drive . So anyway I've got $2,000 saved up and was wondering what mods you guys think would be the best to buy with that much money. My cars a 2000 v6 automatic.

[Mjcorn23]

My personal opinion would be to go with a dual exhaust, CAI, T-lok and 4.10gears

[slvr2000stang]

dual exhaust, T-lok, 4.10gears, SCT chip,X-cal or X-cal2.

This will make you really enjoy driving it.

[Kiljosh]

Yea get a TRUE dual exhaust. Not the Y pipe adapter.

Tlok with 3.73's or 4.10's depending on how much highway driving you do. 4.10's will have you revving higher at 70 on the highway, so gas is affected slightly(only like 1-2mpg)

Then get a tune. I would go with the Xcal 2 or 1. The chip is nice but it is a lot easier to go with Xcal incase you want to change something in the future, everything can be done through e-mail.

If theres anything left over I would look around for a cheap cold air intake on ebay. It doesnt matter what company makes em, all of em are basically the same thing. Just look for one with minimal bends.

[headtriip]

thanks guys all the stuff you said is what I'm thinking about, but i thought it best to ask lol

[dark]

1) cold air intake $75- $180 depending on brand

2) a *used* underdrive pulley (the 99-04's are friggin expensive new) used should be around $100, as opposed to $200+ new

3) true dual exhaust (cut stock exhaust after converters, add h-pipe, x-pipe or pro-chamber, and gt take-off exhaust) $300- $600 at a reputable body or performance shop. get your parts online though, so you can get good deals...

4) 3.73 or 4.10 rear gears and a traction-lock for 7.5 rear end = $300-$500

5) x-cal tune $??

other parts you might consider are...
1)an aluminum driveshaft (to compliment the gears)
2) a shift kit for your auto (to optimize your transmission behavior)
3) a rear swaybar *if you don't have one stock* ( to reduce rear axle motion)

also. you might want to consider saving some of your money. you say you have 2 grand now... only spend $1000 now on the small parts. that way, you have a safety net in case something happens to you or your stang. i hate to say it, but mods attract karma on this site for some reason

so basically, i'd recommend you not spend your entire savings all at once... spend half, then save until you have 2 grand again, then spend half again. repeat until your car is modded to suit you

it'll take longer, but your ass will be covered

sorry about the novel, but i hope it helps

welcome to ME.com

[Kiljosh]

I wouldn;t look into getting an alum driveshaft unless your really a dragstrip nut. I have heard that they do barely anything for the butt dyno.

[WhiteStang99]

Quote: Originally Posted by dark 3) true dual exhaust (cut stock exhaust after converters, add h-pipe, x-pipe or pro-chamber, and gt take-off exhaust) $300- $600 at a reputable body or performance shop. get your parts online though, so you can get good deals...

I have to disagree w/ some of that.

Go to exhaust shops, talk to the guys, tell them to let you know when they get a Mustang GT in there that gets new exhaust. Tell them you want his old stock exhaust. They'll usually do that and give you the exhaust, since they just trash it anyways. Plus, stock GT exhaust is stainless steel, won't rust out. Should be <$200 total. I would NOT go to a speed shop or national chain. Find a small hometown muffler shop.

[SpectorV]

you should determine what is more important to you first. are you more of an apperance person or performance person. if apperance you may want to start with springs/wheels/tires/other exterior stuff

for performance maybe start with exhaust and ebay CAI with an underdrive pulley and so forth. the basic bolt ons are pretty much very low on the hp/tq gains so unless you do all of the bolt ons at once its doubtful you will even notice the difference.

[I_luv_HP&trq]

if you want performance gains, skip all that little stuff.

go for something like this... http://rpm-mustangs.com/cart/home.php?cat=264
and to save money you can just get a nice flowing muffler of your choice. you don't have to get true duals. with the $500 or so left over, that can cover labor costs or an xcal2 tuner

Are there facts anywhere that states a true dual exhaust system will flow better then a single? wouldn't a single 2.5" be better then 2.25" dual?

or if you don't want the whole pacakge you could just get P&P upper and lower intakes.
there are a ton of combinations to spend 2k on besides the usual boring bolt ons. I have nothing against them, especially since i have all of them but the cost vs. fun factor might not be that good.

[SpectorV]

i would not dive into major motor modifications if your car is your main daily driver and you dont have the time to fool with the car perhaps not running and what not. The bigger the mod the more hassel you bring along with it. If you go swaping heads/cam/intakes you will run into alot of problems that will have to be fixed and little this and thats. I know I dont have time for such things, thus i dont plane on heads/cam/intakes and so forth. The bolts ons are generally a waste.... but dont bring a ton of issues with them.

[I_luv_HP&trq]

^there's more of a chance of something going wrong if you don't know what you're doing. but yea i see your point. I just would hate to have him spend 2k that he worked hard for and not get the enjoyment out of it. I'd say at least P&P the intakes so that the CAI and exhaust serve a better purpose then just looks and sound.

[RGR]

Cam and a tune really wake this 99-04 motor up!
Also dual exhausts help alot, especially with the cam.
I'd spec a cam for you and you can get it reground @ COMP
they have the best lobes anywhere for HR type cams.

HR being hydraulic roller...

We can even try for a cam that gets better mileage while
making more power. many of the older single port cams
did not hurt mileage and were much larger than stock.
Some 30* in many cases, and that was using old regrinder
generic lobes that were copies of old small block ch*vy stuff.
The new stuff can give great HP gains while returning better
vacuum and torque than stock profiles ever dreamed of doing.
I've been thinking of a cam that would give RPM's to ~6500
and better HP/TQ than stock while probably increasing mileage
if you can get a steady cruise speed going without using the
extra power all the time

Lots more lift and more favorable valve timing events, less advertised
durations but better .050" durations. YES, they DO make lobes like that!

[dark]

^you know i'm gonna make you spec my new turbo 4.3 cam right rob?

[justin00stang]

Pretty much what these guys said, I would do it in this order IMO for the best bang for the buck:

CAI, UD pulley, GT take off duals with pacesetter adapter (can somtimes be done for $200 in parts), SCT X-cal2, then gears/t-lok. I say gears last because they are an expensive bang for the buck item and the stock 3.27s in 99+ are already decent. The X2s allows you to make adjustments right on the device when you swap gears.

[RGR]

Quote: Originally Posted by dark ^you know i'm gonna make you spec my new turbo 4.3 cam right rob?

Kewl, Use Comp Cams regrind service and get the latest hi-tech lobe stuff too.