When modding a car from the start: (order of mods list for best results!!!)

dark · 12-16-2004, 09:32 AM

this seems like a more effective table to me

what do you all think?....(i put my changes in bold)

Stage 1
Dual Exhaust (2.25" for Naturally Aspirated Cars and 2.5" for Blown Cars and some big strokers)
Rear End Gears & Traction-Lok (3.73 for Manual & 4.10 for Automatic)
Cold Air Intake
Underdrive Pullies
Rims and wheels

stage 2
Short Throw Shifter (5-Speed) or Shift Kit (Automatic)
Torque Converter (Automatics)
Suspension Upgrade (Lowering Springs, Shocks & Struts, Rear Sway Bar and Strut Tower Brace).
Throttle Body (94-98) with crossover tube matching.
new braking system

Stage 3
Ported and Polished Upper Intake, Lower Intake & Heads
Custom Ground Camshaft
Pushrods and Springs
Ignition System (Only needed if Forced Induction or Nitrous is used)
Fuel System Upgrades (190/255 lph fuel pump, bigger injectors & adjustable fuel pressure regulator)
Custom Chip necessary at this level for max power! Usually worth at least 10-15 RWHP and mucho low end torque.

Stage 4
Built 3.8 or 4.2L Engine (big bore best)
Supercharger, Turbocharger, Nitrous
Forged Internals (sic) Forged rods and pistons are a good idea.
MAF (all years) and TB (99^) stock MAF is adequate before this

silverford96 · 01-05-2005, 04:48 PM

where do can you find the 2.25" pipes? All i can find is the 2.5. I dont want the 2.5 because im only planing on a catted H pipe or an X pipe, LT headers, and CAI.

or would the 2.5 work, i dont want to lose too much back pressure. I have heard a lot of debate on the backpressure topic

97Stallion · 01-05-2005, 05:32 PM

2.5" will work just fine because you are keeping your cats. Also they will look better sticking out the back. i think it's funny when you see honda and such with little 1" pipes sticking out the back.

KyleUSAF · 01-05-2005, 05:53 PM

yea, and some that are so rusted and look like they've been through a grease fire and have holes all over 'em

RGR · 01-25-2005, 04:23 PM


Quote: Originally Posted by 97Stallion 2.5" will work just fine because you are keeping your cats. Also they will look better sticking out the back. i think it's funny when you see honda and such with little 1" pipes sticking out the back.

Ditto, and in fact, going 2.25 to the muffs and then 2.5 out the back is really
cool cuz it keeps things stepping up and the tones seem to deepen as the pipes
grow. That one MAC setup has 3" tips and sounds really hot even on stock V6's
on sound clips I have heard. It steps up like that.

Rick0636 · 01-25-2005, 04:57 PM

I think its funnier when you see a riced out honda with dual stove pipe sized fart cannons out the back, that is way over kill.

cjd10 · 01-25-2005, 08:03 PM

my buddy stuck an apple in one of those

Rick0636 · 01-25-2005, 08:31 PM

Would be interesting to see if the Honda engine could build up enough pressure in the exhaust system to blow the apple out!!

Danger Dude · 10:12 AM

I know a Toyota Pick-up with a R-22 engine died after blowing up a platex dish washing glove to the size of a beach ball. It cold not bust the glove. My supervisor twice started the car and drove till the car would die. Me and a few of my co workers were following laughing are asses off. Finally after he took off the second time a passing car yelled at him to look at the big hand flopping around on his Exhaust. He stopped and was cutting the glove off when we pulled up behind him and just laughed. He was so pissed for about 5 minutes then he started laughing

lowflyn · 01-25-2005, 11:09 PM


Quote: Originally Posted by Danger Dude I know a Toyota Pick-up with a R-22 engine died after blowing up a platex dish washing glove to the sizze of a beach ball. It cold not bust the glove. My supervisor twice started the car and drove till the car would drive. Me and a few of my co workers were following laughing are asses off. Finally after he took off the second time a passing car yelled at him to look at the big hand flopping around on his Exhaust. He stopped and was cutting the glove off when we pulled up behind him and just laughed. He was so pissed for about 5 minutes then he started laughing

Haha..I've done that with condoms...but it was on a dodge ram with the 5.9, didn't take long to blow em lol

RGR · 02-03-2005, 08:45 PM

Just buy your muffs and get custom pipes...
The takeoffs are a waste, you get the muffs and pipes, for probably more $$$
than custom. Takeoffs + Shipping is usually more than custom pipes.

kyl3 · 02-09-2005, 10:44 PM

can you post an estimate on how much each stage would cost?

lowflyn · 02-09-2005, 10:54 PM


Quote: Originally Posted by RGR Just buy your muffs and get custom pipes... The takeoffs are a waste, you get the muffs and pipes, for probably more $$$ than custom. Takeoffs + Shipping is usually more than custom pipes.

Only if you dont' wait for a deal. I got my exhaust, mach 1 take off's for 50 bucks, and 50 bucks shipping from new york

RGR · 02-10-2005, 11:05 AM


Quote: Originally Posted by kyl3 can you post an estimate on how much each stage would cost?

Good idea, I can get prices new from my 2 buds that have sites and
also list a decent used price. I could post it rhight on the list...

RGR · 09:57 PM


Quote: Originally Posted by timpryor gears dont add H.P. they just help you get up to speed faster however it will lower your top speed and you will need a gear tooth to adjust your speed.

ACTUALLY:
With Rev and Speed limiters removed, certain higher numerical gears
will actually increase top speed. But you need a chip to get that removed.

With stock gears the car will stop accelerating before peak HP RPM is reached
in high gear, so more rear end gearing will increase top speed to a point by
allowing the engine to rev higher in top gear towards the HP peak. Not sure
exactly what gear this is for a stock V6, probably 3.45's but perhaps 3.73's
for a good cammed V6

I need to do some figuring for this.

Anyone know what RPM you can hit at top speed in a chip tuned car?

dark · 02-19-2005, 06:32 AM

i had my limit raised to 5500. i haven't taken it above 100mph. but it was around 2700rpm at that point. that's on stock gearing

Danger Dude · 02-19-2005, 08:31 AM

My rpm limiter was rasied to 6000 rpm

Rick0636 · 02-19-2005, 12:58 PM

The real way to come out GT takeoff exhausts is to get some from a junk yard or from a GT owner who has upgraded, then you come out for real cheap, got the one I had on my 94 V6 vert for 50 bucks from a local junk yard and they took them off. They even threw in an off road H which I gave the muffler shop guy and they had Borla Mufflers on them, hehehehe.

RGR · 03-08-2005, 09:41 PM


Quote: Originally Posted by Rick0636 The real way to come out GT takeoff exhausts is to get some from a junk yard or from a GT owner who has upgraded, then you come out for real cheap, got the one I had on my 94 V6 vert for 50 bucks from a local junk yard and they took them off. They even threw in an off road H which I g the muffler shop guy and they had Borla Mufflers on them, hehehehe.

That is a good way to go, GT-Takeoffs if you get them cheap, Rick.
I got a set free and set up a local guy with them, it sounded GREAT!

Very mild engine setup too. Nearly dead-stock. Just had a Stage1 Upper and
1/2 shafted, ported TB, K&N in stock airbox, the duals and 3.73 gears. 95 auto...

Then an idiot in a truck wrecked it

I just hate to see people paying for GT takeoffs and ditching the
mufflers, buying some overpriced aftermarket stuff and just using
a set of stock pipes that they paid (possibly) more for than just
getting custom pipes bent at the muffler shop. That does happen.

lowflyn · 03-08-2005, 09:44 PM


Quote: Originally Posted by RGR That is a good way to go, GT-Takeoffs if you get them cheap, Rick. I got a set free and set up a local guy with them, it sounded GREAT! Very mild engine setup too. Nearly dead-stock. Just had a Stage1 Upper and 1/2 shafted, ported TB, K&N in stock airbox, the duals and 3.73 gears. 95 auto... Then an idiot in a truck wrecked it I just hate to see people paying for GT takeoffs and ditching the mufflers, buying some overpriced aftermarket stuff and just using a set of stock pipes that they paid (possibly) more for than just getting custom pipes bent at the muffler shop. That does happen.

Yeh... I bought Mach1 takeoff's for 50 bucks...install for 100 including a tip for the exhaust guy. If I ever want to change mufflers, might as well change out all the piping, would be just as cheap.

**SpectorV** · 03-09-2005, 11:30 AM

the first rule should be that of a psycologial persepective.... is the v6 really something you want to mod... get ready for v8 guys pissing on you from day one.... and realize the fake hp/tq adds are just that fake 99% of the time

Sublime782 · 03-29-2005, 10:51 PM

Hey all,s aw this awesome thread and thought I'd get input. I have a 2002 V6 with a 5-speed tranny. For mods, I have a magnaflow exhaust system and an ebay CAI. The car is and will be my daily driver. I want to make it more fun to drive on a daily basis and also take it to the track maybe 2-3 times a year. Pretty much a nice street set-up. Any ideas as to mods?

lowflyn · 03-29-2005, 10:53 PM


Quote: Originally Posted by dark i had my limit raised to 5500. i haven't taken it above 100mph. but it was around 2700rpm at that point. that's on stock gearing

At 120 my car is around 3500. Stock gears. Plenty more to go till my now raised rev limiter at 6000. Anything over 110 is just hairy though, prolly won't push it.

lowflyn · 03-29-2005, 10:54 PM


Quote: Originally Posted by Sublime782 Hey all,s aw this awesome thread and thought I'd get input. I have a 2002 V6 with a 5-speed tranny. For mods, I have a magnaflow exhaust system and an ebay CAI. The car is and will be my daily driver. I want to make it more fun to drive on a daily basis and also take it to the track maybe 2-3 times a year. Pretty much a nice street set-up. Any ideas as to mods?

If it was an auto, I'd suggest a chip. Made my car respond alot better. I think you'd feel the most in your fun category from new gears.

wiarumas · 03-29-2005, 11:32 PM


Quote: Originally Posted by SpectorV the first rule should be that of a psycologial persepective.... is the v6 really something you want to mod... get ready for v8 guys pissing on you from day one.... and realize the fake hp/tq adds are just that fake 99% of the time

yep. had intake and exhaust for 2 years.. now its time for me to part with my stang and get a GT. i figure its cheaper jsut to buy the GT than to spend a lot of money on it to make it as fast as a GT.

RGR · 03-30-2005, 02:35 PM


Quote: Originally Posted by Sublime782 Hey all, saw this awesome thread and thought I'd get input. I have a 2002 V6 with a 5-speed tranny. For mods, I have a magnaflow exhaust system and an ebay CAI. The car is and will be my daily driver. I want to make it more fun to drive on a daily basis and also take it to the track maybe 2-3 times a year. Pretty much a nice street set-up. Any ideas as to mods?

Gears and T-Lok would be great, then boltons, (order does not matter)
then you would be getting to engine to some extent. You can get a
killer cam for this that makes great power without porting, and even
more with porting. Most 5 speeds are right at 200 RWHP even without
a tune with some of my older cam grinds. The new ones are even better,
but the data is still coming. Some have exceeded 210 RWHP with my old
cams but not everyone does this. A cam and tune is the biggest HP producer
next to nitrous and SC there is for this SPI motor, as the heads flow really
unported but the stock cam is tiny... After the cam I'd say intake porting
is very beneficial but the heads can easily be over-ported so watch out!

You have a base to start with, and if you decide to keep the stock gears
(for mileage sake) I can spec a mileage grind cam that will make great power
and work with the stock gearing too. I'd suggest a T-Lok or other mod to
get rid of the dreaded "one-wheel-peel" though, that alone will help your
acceleration and overall performance. You'll really need it if you get into the
motor at all.

RGR · 10-25-2005, 02:27 PM


Quote: Originally Posted by timpryor gears dont add H.P. they just help you get up to speed faster however it will lower your top speed and you will need a gear tooth to adjust your speed.

Actually, most stock gearing limits top speed too.
Getting the engine more into the powerband with
steeper gears allows more top end with many gearsets.
Especially with the 99-04 Stangs, they make power up
to 6K with a cam swap. Cam and 4.10's would be much
greater top end speed. Stockers would probably do best
with a 3.55 to 3.73 (stock is 3.27).

donnie · 05-23-2006, 06:41 PM

I have a 2000 v6 with MAC dual exhaust and k&n air filter... can I change my underdrive pully first before changing my rear end? and what size of rear end should I get for standard trani? I'm planning to get a DIABLO performance chip to. How much power would I get after doing all this?

donnie · 05-23-2006, 07:03 PM

someone told me that after changing rear end and chip tuned I will able to beat a GT in a short range. Is that true?..( I really want to see my friends GT beat-up by v6).. O yah, I have a MAC headers and H-pipe too.

neatofrito1618 · 05-23-2006, 07:30 PM


Quote: Originally Posted by donnie someone told me that after changing rear end and chip tuned I will able to beat a GT in a short range. Is that true?..( I really want to see my friends GT beat-up by v6).. O yah, I have a MAC headers and H-pipe too.

No its not really true, what year is it? Full bolt on's, a tuner, and gears will get you in the stock 99-04 GT range, if you want to "beat him up" you will have to get a power adder or do engine work for that.

KyleUSAF · 05-23-2006, 07:48 PM

is his gt 99+?

pres_slappy · 05-23-2006, 08:36 PM

nice mod list!

what about adding something like "AFR Heads" for the GT owners. From what ive seen is +75-100 hp by just bolting on.

Danger Dude · 09:55 PM


Quote: Originally Posted by neatofrito1618 No its not really true, what year is it? Full bolt on's, a tuner, and gears will get you in the stock 99-04 GT range, if you want to "beat him up" you will have to get a power adder or do engine work for that.

That is not true either. a 99+ GT auto will put down 210-220 RWHP and a 5 speed will put down 225-235 RWHP. A 99+ V6 auto will put down 145-160 stock and 5 speed V6 will put down 160-170RWHP .You would will not make up 50-60 hp with bolt-on!!!!!

No bolt-ons, gears and tune on a V6 will get you a 99+GT kill unless the GT driver is a moron. You will need engine work such as Heads, cams and intakes, nitrous or supercharger/turbocharger PERIOD!!!!

donnie · 05-23-2006, 09:49 PM

mine is 2000 and my friends GT is 01 with Mach 1 shaker.

neatofrito1618 · 10:27 PM


Quote: Originally Posted by Danger Dude That is not true either. a 99+ GT auto will put down 210-220 RWHP and a 5 speed will put down 225-235 RWHP. A 99+ V6 auto will put down 145-160 stock and 5 speed V6 will put down 160-170RWHP .You would will not make up 50-60 hp with bolt-on!!!!! No bolt-ons, gears and tune on a V6 will get you a 99+GT kill unless the GT driver is a moron. You will need engine work such as Heads, cams and intakes, nitrous or supercharger/turbocharger PERIOD!!!!

Thats not true, with full bolt on's and a tuner auto's will get around 180-185rwhp and 5 speeds will get around 195-200rwhp which is about 30rwhp less then GT's, then add gears to that. GT's also weight about 200 lbs. more and also have a little more roataing mass. You will still probaly be a LITTLE slower then GT's but it will pretty much be a drivers race.