2002 V6 Mustang

[Drunken Ghost]

I just purchased a 2002 V6 Stang...

Im trying to get through what I guess would be Stage 1

Im looking for recommendations on Stage 1 parts, I wanna be able to put the naysayers who told me to go for the V8 to bed.

Oh and I also have a question about the underdrive pulleys, do they cause the alternator to go bad? Or any other internal problems as a result of shooting less power to the accessories?

[lowflyn]

First off, welcome to the site from a fellow 02 v6 owner.

You'll probably want to go with intake/exhaust first and foremost. I found that those plus a good suspension made a world of a difference in how my car felt driving down the road. As far as underdrive pulleys, there is no negative effect unless you go with a very high percentage pulley or have a large stereo system. The latter is the reason I don't have u/d pulleys on my car, I have to be able to keep my car charged while idling.

[Drunken Ghost]

Quote: Originally Posted by lowflyn First off, welcome to the site from a fellow 02 v6 owner. You'll probably want to go with intake/exhaust first and foremost. I found that those plus a good suspension made a world of a difference in how my car felt driving down the road. As far as underdrive pulleys, there is no negative effect unless you go with a very high percentage pulley or have a large stereo system. The latter is the reason I don't have u/d pulleys on my car, I have to be able to keep my car charged while idling.

Thanks for the welcome.

I've heard the debate on the exhaust, regarding H and Y pipes... Im assuming from what I gathered it's best to run true duel exhaust correct? And regarding CAI, any specific parts you would recommend? I've trolled around ebay, and found quite a bit, but if im going to spend the money on it... I want results, not some shoddy part that will half ass the job. Thanks

[SpectorV]

If you are going to do exhaust do it right. Buy a GT take off or another brand of GT mustang catback and a pacesetter or steeda dual exhaust adaptor (not needed as it can be fabed, but these allow you to bolt/unbolt the exhaust to work on the car etc) and have a shop put in the catback.

The stock v6s run mid 15s with a manual and 16.0s in an auto. You can definatly do a good bit to them there are some running 9s in the quarter so the ability is there.

[SpectorV]

you do not need a balancer pipe on a v6 as it is even fire as well, it wont hurt anything but its not needed. You should not expect to see massive gains from a bolt on. Exhaust, cai, under drive pulley, tune, and other such bolt ons usually yeild under 10rwhp/tq and most around 5rwhp/tq. The real power is in the heads/intakes/cam.

Rear end gears REALLY wake the car up but dont add any hp/tq.

[Drunken Ghost]

Quote: Originally Posted by SpectorV you do not need a balancer pipe on a v6 as it is even fire as well, it wont hurt anything but its not needed. You should not expect to see massive gains from a bolt on. Exhaust, cai, under drive pulley, tune, and other such bolt ons usually yeild under 10rwhp/tq and most around 5rwhp/tq. The real power is in the heads/intakes/cam. Rear end gears REALLY wake the car up but dont add any hp/tq.

I figured as much, but it is kind of a pre-req for headers etc right? From my estimates I will be getting 30rwhp for around 800 bucks worth of work... it seems small but worth the work right?

[neatofrito1618]

Quote: Originally Posted by Drunken Ghost I figured as much, but it is kind of a pre-req for headers etc right? From my estimates I will be getting 30rwhp for around 800 bucks worth of work... it seems small but worth the work right?

You dont really have a lot to work with, I would start off with gears and a couple bolt on's, thats the best thing you can do for a $800 budget.

[Zim]

best thing for lots of hp is nitrous

[Danger Dude]

Quote: Originally Posted by Drunken Ghost I figured as much, but it is kind of a pre-req for headers etc right? From my estimates I will be getting 30rwhp for around 800 bucks worth of work... it seems small but worth the work right?

30rwhp from what???

Cold Air Intake 2-5 hp max
Under drive pulley 3-6 max
Dual Exhaust on a stock V6 2hp
SCT tune around 10hp

The real world dyno will show around 16-18hp gain. The problem is you really can add the hp up to find true hp. That is ricer math.

Dont waste money on headers unless you arev going to install a Supercharger/Turbocharger and need them. The stock manifolds are good to 250-300 hp. If you really want headers just go find some 94-98 stock header they can be had cheap. The 94-98's basically came stock with shorty headers.

[SpectorV]

you get more than 2hp from exhaust, not a ton but there are plenty dynos around that show 6-7 ~

[DarkShadow]

I would get a long term plan lined up for your car before you buy the first part. I wasted money on bolt on's only to have to take them off when I went FI. Just some food for thought. If you plan on going on all motor or just want a little extra power they will be fine.

[SpectorV]

yea decide what you want, REAL LIFE EXPECTATIONS on what you are willing to invest in the car and realize that moding brings issues... its not all fun and games.

[Drunken Ghost]

Alright I decided on BBK CAI, Now I want to do exhaust anyone want to point me in the right direction on specific products...

Short term im thinking:

CAI
Exhaust
Couple of aesthetic exterior things i want to get done
Underdrive Pulleys
Tuner

Sound about right? I was also thinking headers, but have heard debate that they are useless until about 250 -300 HP... any gains prior?

[slvr2000stang]

That is a good start.

[DarkShadow]

I have a pulley for sale....

Free plug

[Drunken Ghost]

To restate my question from earlier:

Exhaust: True Duel right? Any recommendations as far as brand and size?

[DarkShadow]

If I were you, I would just have a shop custom build your set up. I just don't see paying extra for a brand of pipe. I would run 2 1/4, unless you plan on big power in the future, if so, go with 2.5 and just pick out a muffler type you like.

[Sublime782]

For exhaust, definatly go to a reputable local shop and have them fab up and exhaust for you. When you buy a catback system from say magnaflow or borla, you're paying waaaaay too much money for it....all you're really paying extra for are the pipes...lol. Anyway, go to a local shop, find the mufflers you like the sound of the best, and the shop will make one for you. Like the last post said, sitck with 2.14 inch piping....if you want to go bigger, the MAX you want would be 2.5 inch piping. As for mufflers, I suggest taking a look at Magnaflow mufflers for the exhaust. THas what I have on my car and I did a lot of research and listening to other mufflers before I made a choice. Bottom line, though, is pick a muffler with the soound you like!

ALso, good list of mods. I would definalty take a look at doing gears and a psoi unit your for you. Definalty work the money. No hp gains but helps your car to really haul some ass off of the line. I'm saying this because you're looking at getting a tune. If you're going to get a tune, throw in the gears and posi before ya do it, as youe car should be re-tuned to correct rhe speedo issues for the gears. As far as gears go, if you have a manual go with 3.73 gears and if ya have an automatic tranny, go with 4.10

If you're car is a manual, I also suggest going with a short throw shifter. easy to install, easy to get a hold of, and you can find them for a great price uf ya shop around.

Good luck on the modding and try to get some of it installed yourself...saves ya money and it's satisfying!

Cheers,
James

[Drunken Ghost]

Alright i've been debating this for the past week or so.

I was thinking about running stage system that is stickied at the top of the forum, and I just don't see the point in using UD pulleys CAI if after you complete stage 4 you just rip take off most of the bolt-ons anyways.

Why not just skip to the Turbo and Tune? Or what SHOULD be done before you drop in the turbo? From what I understand Dark Shadow just threw in his on a completely stock engine.

It may be kind of a dumb question but researching around I felt like I needed to ask.

Be gentle.

[DarkShadow]

Quote: Originally Posted by Drunken Ghost Alright i've been debating this for the past week or so. I was thinking about running stage system that is stickied at the top of the forum, and I just don't see the point in using UD pulleys CAI if after you complete stage 4 you just rip take off most of the bolt-ons anyways. Why not just skip to the Turbo and Tune? Or what SHOULD be done before you drop in the turbo? From what I understand Dark Shadow just threw in his on a completely stock engine. It may be kind of a dumb question but researching around I felt like I needed to ask. Be gentle.

That's why you need to make a plan for what results you want to see when you are done. I wasted money on bolt on's in retrospect because I ended up taking ALL of them off.

As far as a stock engine with a poweradder. It's been proven several times now that the 3.8 can take a lot pressure not just by me but by many people. I will not tell you to not worry about building the engine however. If you have the money, I would do that also, this way you have no worries/less worries and can put down more boost than you could with a stock motor. I will eventually build the motor so I can run more boost, but I dont worry about it right now becasue I have a safe tune. That's the biggest thing, making sure whatever you do, it is tuned by people who know what they are doing.