Author Topic: Mustang Upgrade (Read 590 times)

aknimitz · « **on:** July 02, 2003, 09:27:16 PM »

Ok, I have a question for all your car junkies out there. I used to have a 1994 Mustang, V6. Stock stuff throughout. I recently (last weekend) purchased a brand new, 2003 Mustang, also a V6.

Now, the car came VERY plain, as I got in on a great deal. I only paid $11,995 for the car, plus TTL of course. 5-speed manual transmission, power locks/windows, keyless entry, CD/MP3 player, blah blah.

Here is my question. I remember, I think, someone telling me that for a relatively small amount of money, I could trick this baby out and have it running really almost as fast as a stock GT. Anyone have any idea what I might have heard or what one can do, reasonably, to increase the power? Are there packages out there for this type of thing?

Just curious

Thanks for the info!

Nim

Mark Luper · « **Reply #1 on:** July 02, 2003, 09:55:57 PM »

The easiest and most rewarding add-on is a supercharger. I beleive Holley makes one for the 3.8 in that car. Three other things...

A good "H" pipe from the catalytic converters back with low backpressure mufflers...

A larger throttle body and filter kit with new air sensor on it like K&N make...

3:73 rear axle ring gear and pinion.

One other thing available for it is some smaller pulleys to reduce the load of running the auxiliary items such as a/c, power steering, water pump, and alternator.

There is not near as much available for the V-6 as there is for the V-8 but in the realm of handling Kenny Brown has a suspension kit for the V-6 Stang specificaly.

Hope this helps.

funkedup · « **Reply #2 on:** July 02, 2003, 09:59:58 PM »

I driven those with the automatic, reasonably peppy. With 5 speed they should be real nice.
Supercharger, performance exhaust system, suspension kit, maybe a brake upgrade, and you would have a pretty zippy ride. I recommend leaving the exterior untouched so you can surprise people.

There are some great car club bulletin boards out there with really knowledgable people and lots of technical info. I will ask some of my Subaru tuning geek netpals where you should look. A lot of WRX guys have Mustangs and vice versa.

funkedup · « **Reply #3 on:** July 02, 2003, 10:03:42 PM »

Sweat Jeasious those guys are fast. I already got a reply.
http://www.corral.net/main.html
http://www.232stangs.com/

funkedup · « **Reply #4 on:** July 02, 2003, 10:07:32 PM »

Here's a good place for wheels/tires/suspension/brakes: TireRack.
You can get all the SVT/Bullit/Mustang GT wheels and a lot more there.

funkedup · « **Reply #5 on:** July 02, 2003, 10:10:25 PM »

Really nice big brake kits: http://www.stoptech.com

aknimitz · « **Reply #6 on:** July 02, 2003, 11:07:15 PM »

Great stuff, guys. Funked, thanks for the link, already shopping away. What is 232? I gather I have a 232 mustang, but I just dont know what the 232 refers to!

Nim

pugg666 · « **Reply #7 on:** July 02, 2003, 11:21:54 PM »

Nim 232 refers to the size of your engine, 232CI is a 3.8 litre engine. same one you have in the stang.

funkedup · « **Reply #8 on:** July 03, 2003, 12:08:16 PM »

More links:
http://www.raccoonracing.com/
http://www.mustangworld.com/

nuchpatrick · « **Reply #9 on:** July 03, 2003, 02:15:20 PM »

May want to contact Kenny Bell, VF Engineering or Jackson Racing.

Jackson and Kenny Bell both use the Eaton Blowers, VF-Engineering uses Vortech blowers.

Jackson
http://www.jacksonracing.com/

Kenny Bell
http://www.kennebell.net/index.htm

VF-Engineering
http://www.vf-engineering.com/

Curval · « **Reply #10 on:** July 03, 2003, 02:39:24 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by TW9
Get a V8

aknimitz: wow, I coulda hadda V8".

Birddogg · « **Reply #11 on:** July 03, 2003, 03:01:35 PM »

Hi AK nimitz.. congrats on your purchase... V6 is a nice car.

Few mustang links where u can find tons of info:

http://www.corral.net (most knowledgable members)
http://www.stangnet.com
http://www.mustangworld.com
http://www.mustangmods.com
http://www.svtperformance.com (03 cobras)
http://www.blueovalnews.com (99-01 cobras)
http://www.mustangexhaust.com (exhuast combos and sounds)

theres more i just cant remeber

Now before spending cash on modifications, drive around in your car and find out which aspect you want to improve first.

Few mods i would suggest for start:

Short throw shifter (a must, prevents tranny damage, short shifts etc. about $160us (either pro 5.0 or Steeda Tri-ax)

Exhaust: that little 1 exaust looks cheezy i'd suggest replacing it with dual exhaust in the rear. H-pipe will not fit your car, but most muffler shop can custom make 1 for you, or theres something premade for V6s. Then you can just buy a GT catback(mufflers) and put them up. That should add some HP (not much maybe 5hp) but sound will be much better. Also remeber sometimes putting new mid-pipe(h/Y pipe) will remove the cats and make your car REALLY loud. (removing cataltics is another 5hp but you'll need to spend extra $30 to turn the check engine light off

As far as air filters, dont expect noticable perfomance gains, K&N or stock its all good.

If your car came with those 15/14 inch wheels replace them PLZ! .. http://www.buyfordmotorsport.com good prices and all original ford stuff. But stock GT or cobra rims u can buy real cheap from GT owners since most replace their wheels with something else.

When it comes to superchargers.. if you ever get serious forced induction is the way to go.. 3.8L have been upgraded but they still dont hold up boost very well.. It will work, but have cash on the side for possible engine rebuild down the road.

Someone mentioned gears.i agree. you'll need rear end gears for 7.5in rear end . Stick to Ford motorsport brand ccca $160-170 plus labour $200+. Im not sure what final gear ratio for stock 2003 V6 has, i believe its 3.27. (u can get 3.55,3.73,3.90,4.10are better, RPM will go up @ highway speeds) For me 3.73s are perfect as its still very drivable @ highway speeds (RPM not too high).

Pullies are ok but.. @ idle your battery wont recharge, that means on trafifc light @ idle your AC and all electronics will be running of the battery. Worth about 5-8hp.

Mustangs look like off-road vehicles in stock form, so lowering the car will make it look much batter (wont help handleing much). You can futher improve it with shocks, even go for complete coil-over setup. But thats major $$$

few stang parts retailing places:

http://www.classicdesignconcepts.com
http://www.steeda.com (very expesnive)
http://www.kennybrown.com
http://www.gefracing.com
http://www.buyfordmotorsport.com
http://www.uprproducts.com (lots of billet dressup stuff)
http://www.maximummotorsports.com/ (suspension stuff)
http://www.griggsracing.com/ (suspension)

griggs and Max are 2 the best stang suspension companies, not cheap but real quality stuff.

Many other things i cant remeber.. pick up muslce mustangs and fast ford magazine for more retailers ( this months issue has a nice review and install of V6 exhaust system) and info i cant think of any right now ... hope it helps.. GOOD luck with your new car and welcome to mustangworld !!!!:cool:

funkedup · « **Reply #12 on:** July 03, 2003, 06:32:16 PM »

Just from my experience driving rental V-6 Mustangs, first thing I would do is plus-one tires and wheels and a suspension kit. Real floaty car in stock form. After that I'd do the motor and a big brake kit.

Thorns · « **Reply #13 on:** July 03, 2003, 09:48:11 PM »

Nitrous can make a rocket if used correctly.

Thorns

P.S. An attorney in D.C. should be driving an 850 BMW

aknimitz · « **Reply #14 on:** July 03, 2003, 10:43:22 PM »

hehe thanks again for the info fellas

Funked, Im inclined to agree ... wheels/tires can be expensive though!!

hehe - no longer a DC attorney, in San Antonio now!

Nim