Guys,

I am a newbie to the site and to the new Mustangs so please be patient as I need you advice on my upcoming stang' modifications. I am buying an 07' GT and want to plan some initial upgrades. Right away I know I will go with a front & rear sway as well as strut tower brace. I am looking at Ford Racing or Steeda. Any recomendations? Are these ok to use without adding springs and replacing shock/struts? I plan to do that later.

Also as for CAI, any thoughts on C&L vs. Steeda vs. Ford Racing? Also which re-flash tuner - SCT or Predator? Also if you are recommending a set up I also want to go with replacement mufflers - Ford Racing & Steeda have and axle back system, Steeda and C&L have a cat back system. Could you detial pro's and cons of each and which of these set ups work best with the recommended flash tuner.

Thanks for all your help!

James

 

Personally I would go with FRPP sway bars and strut tower brace, JLT cold air intake purchased through Bamachips with a SCTII tuner with Doug's tunes and FRPP axle backs.

Good luck and that's a nice start!

 

I agree with the CAI and Tuner, those you will see a noticable difference for the better, and they will be more than worth your money I'm sure. As for the Strut Tower Brace and Sway Bars, if your new to the S197 Mustangs (current generation) you should hold off on those until you drive your stang a while. The S197's are much more structurally stiff than the previous versions and for normal everyday driving you may not notice much if any difference with/without the braces/sway bars. I would suggest driving the stang and getting used to it before you decide to invest some $$ in something you may not need. You may decide you like the handling just fine without it. I know I'm happy with the handling of mine! Just my $.02

 

Thats good advice - thanks! How about exhaust - should I go x pipe and full cat back or just mufflers? Will I get much HP gain by going w/ full set up?

 

You really won't gain much HP by doing anything to the exhaust that leaves the stock cats in place. Doing a full cat back setup will dramatically change the sound of your car, but won't really make much more HP (maybe 5HP). Replacing the cats with hi-flow cats or even removing them and replacing with an off-road X-Pipe (one with no cats) will help boost HP (maybe 10-20HP). As for HP, the stock mufflers are pretty good from what most people are saying. Some turbo/super charged guys are still using the stock mufflers, so that shows they are pretty good. Changing to an Off Road X-Pipe and still leaving the stock mufflers will make the car sound much different, and still give you some HP gains.
Also, you can always add on to what you have in increments...ie add a set of mufflers, then later add an X pipe, then later add some headers, etc.

In the end, it's all about what you are looking for. HP, Sound, or both, and how much $$ you're willing to spend.

 

Ditto on removing the cats. I have the pypes o/r h-pipe and the seatofthepants-o-meters says there is a noticable gain in HP. I had to drive around with the cats back on the car in order to pass inspection and it definitely felt a bit more sluggish.

 

Since you removed the cats how much noisier is it? I am looking to increase the HP but would like to still hear the radio and not blow away the neighbors when coming home.

 

Check out my video clips 2 & 3 at the bottom of my sig.

It's only crazy loud for a minute or two when cold. But, after the O2 sensors warm up, it's just loud.

 

Here's my thoughts on the exhaust... the stock exhaust is stainless steel mandrel bent.... you're going to pay out the *** for the aftermarket equivelant. Put on mufflers (axle back kit) and call it good. I'd say spend the money elsewhere. But that's just me.

I'm not going to do anything but mufflers until the huffer goes on... of course, then it's going to be new from the long tube headers back.

 

I mostly agree. I've added LTs, X-pipe and mufflers, but the mid-pipe is still stock. And from what I can tell at track, my performance is not impeded by the stock pipes. In fact, a friend of mine has run slightly quicker than me, and his entire exhaust system is 100% bone stock... from the exhaust manifolds to the mufflers.

 

Yeah, I LOVE how it sounds when you first fire it up cold! VROOOOM!! Gurgle gurgle, glub glub....

yeah baby! Wish it would stay like that!

 

Check out my list of performance mods below. It provides for some good gains in the neighborhood of 25-30RWHP, and is really a kick in the pants when you want it, but still keeps all the good street manners of the car.