Exhaust/ bolt on mod questions

[iceman08]

Hi, im kind of new to the whole car modding world, but im looking to get into it. Currently i have a 2003 v6 automatic mustang and am lookin to get some speed into it. So far ive done the flowmaster dual exhaust with just straight pipes, but im bein told to install an xpipe to create backpressure. Im planning to swap the straight pipes for an xpipe, but am unsure as whether to get it without the cat converters or just get hi flows? any suggestions? also, ive got a k&n fipk intake system and wanna know where to go from there. Is headers worth doing on the v6? How about pulleys? Any and all input would be greatly appreciated. Im not looking for a full engine swap, just wanna maximize it without going with the supercharger. Any input, again, would be appreciated.

[lowflyn]

I have a 02 auto v6, so we're kinda in the same boat. For one thing, you willl see no gain with an x-pipe, it will, however give you a slightly different exhaust note. Headers aren't really worth anything on a stock engine either, they work well with other mods, so don't throw money there yet unless you just want headers. I have true duals run out the back with no crossover pipe and flowpath afterburners. For my intake, I have the K&N FIPK II system. I also now have a SCT Xcal2 tuner, which dramatically firms up the shifts, and does many other beneficial things such as increased throttle response and such.
Another thing I'm doing, which I haven't really announced on here, is I'm going with a 8.8 rear end and 4.10 gears. This should give me a pretty dramatic difference in acceleration, at least I'm hoping. Basically, I'm just looking for a good butt dyno gain.

So..my question for you is, what is your budget, what are you looking for in the final product of your car, etc.

[slvr2000stang]

Since you have an auto one of the first things I would do is add an external tranny cooler.

Cold air & duals are a good start. Gears & a t-lok make a big difference.

Before you go too far you need to decide what your plans/goals for the car are. Then build with that in mind.

[SpectorV]

one of the best things to do as far as cat back is concerned is buy a GT take off cat back and have a shop fab it up to fit your car, or buy a bolt up kit from whom ever and just bolt it up. If you want more bolt ons in the end true dual exhaus is better than using your stock Y pipe (not dual the pipes come together to form one on your car stock)

[lowflyn]

Quote: Originally Posted by slvr2000stang Since you have an auto one of the first things I would do is add an external tranny cooler. Cold air & duals are a good start. Gears & a t-lok make a big difference. Before you go too far you need to decide what your plans/goals for the car are. Then build with that in mind.

Ah yes, a cooler. I bought one, it's sitting in my back seat, alot of good that's doing

[slvr2000stang]

Quote: Originally Posted by lowflyn Ah yes, a cooler. I bought one, it's sitting in my back seat, alot of good that's doing

Get it installed By God.

[01mineralgrey6]

Quote: Originally Posted by lowflyn IAnother thing I'm doing, which I haven't really announced on here, is I'm going with a 8.8 rear end and 4.10 gears. This should give me a pretty dramatic difference in acceleration, at least I'm hoping. Basically, I'm just looking for a good butt dyno gain. .

Youll love the gears

[iceman08]

k, im lookin to invest under $1,000 in engine mods, give or take. Should i do the pulleys and wat about the catalytic converters? Take them off or get high flows? Whats gonna be the effect on the sound, cuz i heard it mite make it sound rice burnerish or gives it a deeper, throatier sound (which is watd i want), but cant seem to find a consistant answer. Any other basic mods besides the ones liste? BTW, thanx to everyone for ur input, its much appreciated.

[slvr2000stang]

Since you are on a budget leave the stock cats.

[I_luv_HP&trq]

I know you don't want to get into your car but if I had $1,000 and had to do it all over again, I would get the lower intake P&P. The upper intake has decent sized ports but the lower sucks. I'd then get 2.25" exhaust going to your choice of mufflers and 2.5" after with 3-4" SS tips.
And then with the money left over you could get a tuner to help your auto like Lowflyn was saying.

with that combination you won't be trying to guess if you feel a difference in performance or not.

[01mineralgrey6]

best bang for your buck would be gears, and a tuner and an exhaust would be cool.