hey guys, im new to the mustang family, i just got a black 2003 v6 3.8 mustang, i want to boost power with as little money as i can for now, when i get the car paid off in a couple of years ill be back on here asking about turbos and supercharges and stuff like that, but for know im thinking of putting an air intake on, maybe k and n, but im open to other ideas, also i want to install the parts myself so i can become more familiar with my car, hope to hear from all you guys on this one

 

First off, welcome to the group and the world of mustangs. I dont know how much familiarity you have with cars, but there are quite a few modifications you can make to your car regardless of your mechanical aptitude.

First off, as you said, is a Cold Air Intake (CAI). K&N is a good brand for intakes and air cleaners, but there are others too, like BBK and Airaid (http://store.summitracing.com/egnsea...115+4294925239).

Also, exhaust systems are easy-to-do mods, and can generate some power as well as sound improvement. If your car is a manual, a aftermarket shifter is also a good investment.

 

You love that shifter dont you?

Welcome to the site.
Tuners are good for adding a little more power and very easy to install. I started out in the same position as you are in now (didnt we all on this site). Good advice can be found in the bellies of us fellow mustangeers.

My advice, CAI, exhaust and tune would give you a little extra performance.
Oh and a shifter is vital if you drive a manual. (Dan)

 

I recently purchased a 2001 V6 5-speed Manual Mustang and wanted to tweak the performance. I added a K&N CAI and Borla exhaust. The K&N went on real easy. The exhaust was a little beyond my tools so I took it to a local exhaust installer for their help. The whole project cost <$800. The performance seems to have been improved but I still have a "problem" I'm not sure about. During idle and acceleration, the engine runs fine. When the car is going downhill (not under acceleration), I have a "bucking" or a shake from the engine. I'd be open to suggestions on if this is normal or ways to smooth this out.

 

Sorry to hear about your problems. I dont know what the exact cause of your problem is, but hopefully someone can shed some light on issue.

Is the shudder just the decelleration burbling throught the new exhaust? When my GT is slowing down, it can buck or shudder just a little bit, but it is normal. Is it possible that with the larger, freer-flowing exhuast that the shudder is more noticable? Like I said, hopefully others will be ably to help with this too.

 

Does this happen when you are at idle as well?

 

PaulF,

No. it idles just fine (~750 RPM). Accelerates great. Just when the engine no longer has to pull, like a slight downhill in the road, it starts to buck. I've tried higher octane gas but nothing seems to help. It's not as noticeable when cold.

 

OK....I just read about the traction control could cause bucking. Sure enough, when I turned it off, the bucking went way down. What I feel now seems to be normal de-acceleration of a manual trans.. Does anybody know how the TC could malfunction to cause this problem?

 

Welcome to Mustangs! Have a look at my sig for some ideas, and don't be afraid to ask. You might consider visiting some V6 exclusive websites for more ideas and technical help, like www.3.8mustang.com or www.v6power.net .... have fun!