I just picked up a 2005 Ford Mustang GT last week and I'm really stoked about my purchase...

I've got a lot of reading to do and a lot of knowledge to take in...

But first things first...

What are the "Top 5" performance modifications to perform on the Mustang...

Although this is more or less a matter of opinion...I'd still like to hear some of your thoughts...

Let's exclude supercharging...That's a little out of my own price range...

Also...If you could list a brand beside the performance modification you listed that would really help me out...That way I can check out some of your preferences and take a look at the parts online...

EX:

1. Intake - Brand Name
2. Exhaust - Brand Name
3. Tuner - Brand Name
4. Pulleys - Brand Name
5. Suspension - Brand Name

Thanks!

 

i hope this reply doesn't sound mean, but you should really use the search function.

This forums are already inundated w/ threads about starter mods.

5 minutes of searching will net you good answers...repeat answers.

But I will plug Bamachips. Go for thier c&l or Jlt/ xcal combo.

Good luck.



Nick

 

No...I hear ya...

I know there's a lot of performance threads...

But I just wanted personal opinions all in one place about more than one specific part is all...

Thanks for your listings...

 

1) SCT tune. I would recommend Brenspeed or Bamachips. Brenspeed has arguably better (quicker) service.

2) CAI kit. I used the JLT series 2 kit and had great results.

3) If emissions isn't a worry, go with an offroad H pipe. Pick one up at Brenspeed for $175 delivered.

4) Gears- if you change your rearend gears to something like 4.10s, your car will rocket out of the hole. Gas milage will suffer around 2-3 mpg.

5) If your car is a manual, buy an MGW shifter. If an auto, spend the money on pullies, delete plates, or both.

6) Lower control arms.... pick up some Steedas for ~$200. These will control the wheelhop, which you will notice if you haven't already.

Drop by www.brenspeed.com and checkout their selection of parts, etc.

 

Awesome post...

Thanks...That really helps...

Great start...

 

Hey Devil, congrats on your purchase of the best muscle car out there.

Your question about mods made me remember an article in one of the many 'Stang magazines I've read that answers just that question, but sorry, I can't remember which one.

The best thing you can do, at least in here, is tell us what you are interested in doing. Are you looking for a drag machine? Or top speed? Do you want handling performance? Or are you just looking for that sweeter sound and a cool look?

There's a lot of basic mods that can address each of those.

I will say that the very first mod most people do (myself included) and possibly the easiest and best bang-for-buck, is a new CAI. It adds hp, gives better throttle response, and better gas mileage, and all from something that costs about $300 and takes 30-mins to install.

 

Hey Tom great summarization!

Can you provide more specfic part numbers for the Steeda LCA's? I have wheel hop that drives me nuts. I want it gone lol. I have some Steeda Ultra-Lite springs to install when the weather cools down a bit here in Tex-A-s-s

Thanks Tom as always you are a great source of help and info!

 

Sure no problem Phil.... look here:

http://www.brenspeed.com/mustang_2005/suspension.html

The ones I use are the blue Steedas, for $209 delivered. These eliminated 99.9 percent of my wheel hop. After talking to Brent, he recommended these over the more expensive billet versions although he sells both.... what does that tell you LOL?

 

Oh one more thing- with JLT cold air kit, SCT tune, Pypes offroad H, and Brent's tune, I pulled 296 rwhp / 316 rwtq.... pretty darn good if you ask me.

Adding pullies and delete plates along with the above mentioned items got me 303/318- and that's with 4.10 gears, which most tuners will say "cost" you around 5 horse on the dyno.

Good luck guys, enjoy your cars!!

 

1. Forced Induction - Whipple/KB
2. FI - Turbo/TT
3. FI - Novi HO, Procharger H.O
4. FI - Vortech HO/Magnacharger
5. FI - Nitrous

 

Steeda's stuff is way overpriced IMO. You can get LCA's from BMR and other companies for less money and are as good if not better!

 

The Steeda UCA was one of the most effective mods for me to get rid of wheel hop. Did much more than the LCAs. Wheelhop was BAD for me stock.

Also, you may want to search the threads about noise from LCAs and what some people did to get rid of it before you make that decision.

I have been happy with my Bamatune and JLT II intake combo also.

 

yup...

 

1. Intake - JLT/K&N/DeMolet
2. Programmer - SCT or Diablosport
3. Lower Control Arms - BMR
4. Gears - Ford Racing 3.90 or 4.10
5. Shifter, or Pullies, or CMCV Delete Plates - MGW or Steeda, Steeda or Granatelli, Ford Racing

 

True, but there stuff is also not noisy which is the complaint most people have about BMR products.

 

Hey Tom, do the LCA's change the feel od the suspension... more vibration and perceived harshness maybe? I have been interested in the Steeda LCA's but the reality is I don't have problems with wheel hop. I'm running the stock 17's so I wonder if that is why.

 

I didn't get much harshness or vibration, but there is some additional noise. Not enough to complain about IMO, but anyway it is somewhat more noisy.

When I had the stock 17's, I had wheel hop bad. Not everytime I got on it, but most of the time..... the hop was bad enough that it made my entire dash jump around. The Steeda lca's took away 99% of it; when I added Steeda Sport springs to the rearend only, it took away the remaining 1%. I have not had any issues AT ALL after those two mods. Most people will say that the upper control arm is best to change- and maybe it is, I don't know- but I do know that this combo has worked well for me.

 

tune, intake, gears, exhaust, then of and course supercharger to end it all

 

CAI C&L, JLT, Steeda

Tuner Whatever the tuner of your choice uses. I prefer the Diablosport for user friendliness. I'm using SCT because that's what my tuner uses.

Pullies Steeda

Exhaust JBA Longubes. It seems people are very happy with ARH and they are 304 stainless which is better than 409.

Suspension Steeda all the way.

 

I don't know if it's an auto or stick. I'll give my auto input though. I'll also list some great places to get the products. To my knowledge, and searching these are some of the best prices out there.

1. C&L "Racer" Intake/Bamachips Tune
www.bamachips.com

2. FRPP 4.10 Gears
www.dynojoe.com, www.americanmuscle.com

3. PI 3200 Stall Torque Converter
www.ls1speed.com

4. Tires!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

5. CHE Lower Control Arms/Upper Control Arm
www.pmpparts.com, www.dynojoe.com

6. Exhaust/Mufflers of your choice
It's your choice on the mufflers. What ever sound you prefer!

Do some research and you'll find what your looking for!

Phil,

Have you thought about CHE products? Shoot me a PM and let me know.