I've saved up some money, so of course my mind starts to turn to what I could do to my Mustang. I've stopped on 2 choices, body modification and suspension modification. So here's the details of what I've done the research so far on and what i'm considering doing.

Body mods:
Dual Le Mans stripes (quicksilver just like the 2005 show car) ($???)
GT/CS bumper cover ($480)
Shelby CS-6 hood ($750 from Shelby)
Paint and labor for bumper ($350)

-OR-
Suspension mods:
Ford Racing Handling Pack ($1200)
installation labor ($???)

The questions I'm coming up with so far are how much is it going to cost to have stipes painted (typically)? Is there anywhere i can get the body pieces cheaper? How much would it cost to have the FRHP installed? Does the handling pack eliminate wheel hop?

Thanks in advance

 

IMO, if you don't have a tuner yet, GET A TUNER lol! That's the biggest non-cosmetic mod you can make without spending big dough.

 

Yea, I think your best bet would be a CAI/Tune combo. Go with a reputable tuner, and you'll be A-Okay.

I have the JLT Cold Air Series II with 3 custom tunes on a SCT XCal2 for $535.99 shipped to the door.

I have the C&L Racer Intake with 3 custom tunes on the XCal2 for $619.99 shipped to the door.

Best $500-600 bucks you can spend (HP/Dollar)! Let me know if you have any questions!

CR
Tillman Speed
610-497-3711

 

I'm not just saying this with a "that's what I got" attitude...

Ford Racing's handling pack was probably the best thing I've done to my car so far. After the Ford Motorsport mechanics installed it they told me they were really impressed and would recommed it to their high-end customers who bring in their Mustangs for mods. It went on nicely and came with camber adjustments included too. The look and feel of my car is fantastic and it really dialed out the understeer quite well. I read somewhere on that board that an instructor from a racing school brought it out to the track for an evaluation and concluded it was high quality stuff. It should be...it's made from the same company that provides suspension for the Mustang FR 500C race car.

However, you do need an intake and tune...of course I'm way biased on Bamachips as my posts lately will show. Incredible power!

~Ray

 

Thanks guys, but already bought the $400 Granatelli 90mm intake and the results are unbelievable. I'm looking for something to augment one of the other 2 aspects of the car, looks and handling

Tifo, how much did it cost to have it installed? Did it get rid of the wheel hop?

 

Ok, well in that case do alittle of both!

 

You know it's hard to say because I paid for the Ford Racing Drag pack, the handling pack, GTAs, and X-pipe to all be installed. Labor through Ford Motorsport was $98 an hour. Maybe (tops, with alignment) three or four hours = 300-400 dollars...if you live near Whittier, CA I can set you up with the guy who did mine.

Ive never had wheel hop...but I'm sure I don't have it now.

 

I've got horrible wheel hop everytime I step on it. I'm waiting for quotes to come back Monday on the FRHP right now. Also looking into good paint shops in the area for the stripes. If I go the handling route, I'm not going to cheap out and get just sway bars or lowering springs. I figure I might as well get the whole thing while I'm at it and save money in the long run.
I've been searching here on the forums for stripe prices, and it looks like between $1k and $1200. Then add $480 for the bumper cover and $250-300 for installation costs and it looks like $2k for the body mods. That doesn't even count the hood! Dang this is expensive.

Anyone know where I can get the GT/CS bumper and the CS-6 hood cheaper than from Ford and Shelby?

 

Well I just got a price quote for installation on the FRPP handling pack:
parts: $1049
Shop supplies: $29
Install: $570
Performance front end alignment : $142
Hazardous materials: $9.90
__________________________________
Total: $1854.30

Yeah... a bit beyond my price range. I'm waiting back on a quote from the dealer I bought the car from. I'm drawing the absolute line at $1500.

Does anyone know a good paint shop in the DC area? I tried Campbell's Customs, but no answer. I'm still seriously considering these mods but I need to find a good place in the area. Thanks

 

That's a little steep. You could get Steeda ultralites or Eibach pro kit, proaction shocks and panhard bar/brace with install for a hell of a lot cheaper. You could throw sway bars on down the road, and the difference would be night and day.

You're looking under $900 for parts... you could have a performance shop install and align for under $500 dollars. No shop supply fees or hazardous materials crap.

That's just IMHO. I love the FRPP stuff, just a little pricey, especially after dealer install. Not to say it's not top of the line stuff, so is Steeda/Tokico/BMR/etc.

CR
Tillman Speed

 

You can rent yourself a garage for 6 months for that money.
If you already have a garage you can purchase all the tools to do it yourself for less than that.
Most anybody can do these mods themselves.
I've convinced 3 people to install superchargers themselves and they never even turned a wrench before doing the S/C. If you break down any task into manageable steps you can accomplish anything.

 

That's great advice right there!

 

Thanks for the info guys. CR, the reason why I was considering the FRPP over less expensive but still highly reputable brands like Eibach and Steeda is that FRPP when installed by a Ford dealer or speed shop, won't void the factory warranty should something go wrong. Of course if nothing ever goes wrong, the warranty can't be denied. But if something does, well I'm screwed.

Thump_rr, that's great advice, but unfortunately I don't have a garage. By the way, you never said how those 3 do-it-yourself superchargers turned out! I've done some mods in the parking lot, but suspension mods are beyond that scope.

Now speaking of that tune, my dealer told me that if you get the right one, they won't be able to tell it's been re-flashed back to stock. Anyone have any insights into which one I might be able to get away with? I bought the extended factory warranty, so I'm looking for mods that either won't void the warranty, or ones that I can at least cover up when it comes time to take it in.

 

I can understand that reasoning. The warranty is something that you may want to keep for a year or two to ensure no issues arise.

The suspension mods aren't something that the somewhat saavy average joe with the right tools couldn't accomplish. Just read all the tech notes and how to's from all the forums you can to find what problems could arise and what tricks will help you along.

As far as the tuning... go with SCT XCalibrator 2. You can clear at any time, and it's undetectable. The nice thing about it is that it opens a whole world up for you, as there are so many variables that you can tune with Advantage III software. You have the ability to purchase tunes from Myself, Doug, or Bren and have them emailed to you directly, and download right on to your device. There's also the end user adjustability, so swapping tire sizes or gear ratio is a breeze!

Let me know on the tune, as I'm priced very competively, and can tune to almost any variable.

CR
Tillman Speed
610-497-3711

 

Undetecable eh? You've got my attention... How much would the tuner cost with the following tunes : stock, 91 octane with 90mm CAI, and 91 octane with stock intake? If your prices are competitive with what I'm seeing Brenspeed sell them for on eBay, I think you can count me in! Now from what I'm reading, you can disable traction control (which is what the TCS button is for on the dash), but can you adjust its sensitivity or reaction time for the system to kick in? One of my biggest beefs with this car is that the TCS takes WAY too long to kick in. In fact, it cost me a very pricey repair back in January (read more in this thread: http://forums.bradbarnett.net/showthread.php?t=59054).

 

You can make any tune undetecable. Install factory tune, and disconnect battery... Old tune now cleared... It just shows that the car has had a dead battery, no trace of anything else.

 

PM Sent

 

Best money ive spend on my car minus the CAI/tuner - Tokico shocks and ultralite springs. Rides like stock when you turn up the shock. Turn the shocks down and it handles as good as a porsche (yes ive drove both side by side). Great adjustability - for me i do like drag racing, road racing, and its still a daily driver. I use 5/4 daily, 3/3 RR, and 3/4 at the strip.

other than that, i would say a front lip/bumper and hood make the most drastic change to the appearance.

 

Dirty Sanchez, are those the D-Spec shocks you have with the Ultralites? I've got the UL's on the way from CR, but was gonna wait a little while on the shocks.

 

I stock the Ultralites and Pro Action and DSpec shocks. They're so popular. You really can't go wrong with either of them.

If you can swing the extra money for the DSpec's go for the adjustability... personally I love the feel of Ultralites with the Proactions for the daily driver that doesn't need the adjustability.

Feels like what the car SHOULD ride like from the factory.

JAYGUY: Your stuff should be there tomorrow right?

CR
Tillman Speed