Opinions on Exterior mods?
Thread Starter
Shelby GT350 Member
Joined: June 9, 2008
Posts: 2,061
Likes: 1
From: Rochester NY
Opinions on Exterior mods?
Looking for some opinions. Want to keep it clean and not to bulky. Thinking GT500 rear spoiler and Roush chin spoiler. Any suggestions? Thoughts on side window louvers? Have 55D Rear springs, VMP tune and GT500 axle back.
Cobra Member
Joined: April 23, 2012
Posts: 1,010
Likes: 11
From: Texas
0) Work up a picture in your mind of what you want your car to look like
1) Build the car on paper by making a list of the parts you're going to need to achieve your goal
2) Use Google Images to look at every Mustang picture you can find with as many of those parts on them as possible.
Common sense stuff:
0) Quarter window louvers will impede visibility
1) Most headlight/taillight tint is illegal in pretty much any state you'd care to mention. Proceed at your own risk.
2) If your state requires front plate and you don't want to drill holes in your front bumper cover, there are a couple of no-drill front license plate solutions.
3) You have a 2013, so unless you want to change over to a 2010-12 front clip, aftermarket hood options are limited (non-existent?) right now.
4) The larger the wheel (20's, for instance), the more expensive your tires are going to be.
5) Lowering the car and putting on custom wheels will drastically change the look of your car. Do that first, and THEN buy body parts (unless you have that image in your mind that I mentioned earlier).
6) Pretty much any body kit you put on the car will look stupid if the car isn't lowered as well.
7) Cops notice flashy cars (Mustangs), and if you're on the edge of doing something stupid, they'll also ding you for equipment violations. Don't give them a reason to add insult to injury.
I followed this basic set of guidelines when I built my car. For what it's worth. don't overtly ask for opinions once you start making changes. I guarantee you won't like some of the answers you get off the internet. Just build your inner Mustang, and be happy that it's yours.
If that were my car, I'd change over to a 2010-2012 front clip, just to have more options available to me (especially in the hood department).
1) Build the car on paper by making a list of the parts you're going to need to achieve your goal
2) Use Google Images to look at every Mustang picture you can find with as many of those parts on them as possible.
Common sense stuff:
0) Quarter window louvers will impede visibility
1) Most headlight/taillight tint is illegal in pretty much any state you'd care to mention. Proceed at your own risk.
2) If your state requires front plate and you don't want to drill holes in your front bumper cover, there are a couple of no-drill front license plate solutions.
3) You have a 2013, so unless you want to change over to a 2010-12 front clip, aftermarket hood options are limited (non-existent?) right now.
4) The larger the wheel (20's, for instance), the more expensive your tires are going to be.
5) Lowering the car and putting on custom wheels will drastically change the look of your car. Do that first, and THEN buy body parts (unless you have that image in your mind that I mentioned earlier).
6) Pretty much any body kit you put on the car will look stupid if the car isn't lowered as well.
7) Cops notice flashy cars (Mustangs), and if you're on the edge of doing something stupid, they'll also ding you for equipment violations. Don't give them a reason to add insult to injury.
I followed this basic set of guidelines when I built my car. For what it's worth. don't overtly ask for opinions once you start making changes. I guarantee you won't like some of the answers you get off the internet. Just build your inner Mustang, and be happy that it's yours.
If that were my car, I'd change over to a 2010-2012 front clip, just to have more options available to me (especially in the hood department).
Last edited by jsimmons; Aug 22, 2012 at 10:32 AM.
Cobra Member
Joined: October 23, 2009
Posts: 1,312
Likes: 2
From: NW Minnesota
Quarter window louvers that are stuck on over the glass do tend to impede visibility. The ones from SilverHorse Racing replace the glass and the visibility is hardly diminished at all. There's a large thread on them here.
Shelby GT350 Member
Joined: February 5, 2008
Posts: 2,339
Likes: 3
From: Chattanooga
0) Work up a picture in your mind of what you want your car to look like
1) Build the car on paper by making a list of the parts you're going to need to achieve your goal
2) Use Google Images to look at every Mustang picture you can find with as many of those parts on them as possible.
1) Build the car on paper by making a list of the parts you're going to need to achieve your goal
2) Use Google Images to look at every Mustang picture you can find with as many of those parts on them as possible.
Last edited by watchdevil; Aug 22, 2012 at 06:35 PM.
Bullitt Member
Joined: January 3, 2007
Posts: 254
Likes: 0
OEM = Original Equipment Manufacturer or in this case Fomoco.
Re: opinions
Delete - spoiler, satellite antenna and 5.0 emblem
Add - SilverHorse Racing quarter windows and tint
Black out - fogs, pony and faux gas cap
Sent from my Commodore 64
Re: opinions
Delete - spoiler, satellite antenna and 5.0 emblem
Add - SilverHorse Racing quarter windows and tint
Black out - fogs, pony and faux gas cap
Sent from my Commodore 64
Last edited by citizen arcane; Aug 22, 2012 at 07:17 PM. Reason: clarity
Cobra R Member
Joined: June 17, 2010
Posts: 1,666
Likes: 0
From: Southeastern Virginia
I have the OEM GT500 rear spoiler. It's great but you need to get it painted. if I had to do it over again, I'd just go 3D Carbon & save a few bucks. All feedback & pics I've seen (over in the exterior mods forum) indicate it's equal to OEM in quality & the paint finish is good.
BTW, I LOOOOOOOOOOVVVVVVVEEEEE my GT500 rear spoiler.
If you can swing it*, I've never seen nicer rear qtr window louvers than the Silverhorse Racing louvers, and they do not block visibility to the rear from the driver's seat. *By "swing it" I am referring to the more intense labor required to install the SH louvers due to the need to REMOVE the existing rear qtr windows to install the SH louvers. But they are sweet.
As far as front chin spoiler I'll abstain from a recommendation. I love my CDC chin on my '12, but wouldn't recommend it for a '13+.
BTW, I LOOOOOOOOOOVVVVVVVEEEEE my GT500 rear spoiler.
If you can swing it*, I've never seen nicer rear qtr window louvers than the Silverhorse Racing louvers, and they do not block visibility to the rear from the driver's seat. *By "swing it" I am referring to the more intense labor required to install the SH louvers due to the need to REMOVE the existing rear qtr windows to install the SH louvers. But they are sweet.
As far as front chin spoiler I'll abstain from a recommendation. I love my CDC chin on my '12, but wouldn't recommend it for a '13+.
Tasca Super Boss 429 Member
Joined: July 7, 2012
Posts: 4,421
Likes: 21
From: Indianapolis
Respectfully, the quality of an OEM GT 500 spoiler vs 3d carbon spoiler is not even comparable.
I am going to be doing a write up soon...as I DO have both brands painted and in my hands.
I am going to be doing a write up soon...as I DO have both brands painted and in my hands.
Last edited by Getportfolio; Aug 22, 2012 at 09:27 PM.
Cobra Member
Joined: April 23, 2012
Posts: 1,010
Likes: 11
From: Texas
3) Use the 2013 Mustang Customizer http://www.ford.com/cars/mustang/customizer/
Legacy TMS Member
Joined: March 7, 2010
Posts: 993
Likes: 2
From: Texas
Quarter window louvers that are stuck on over the glass do tend to impede visibility. The ones from SilverHorse Racing replace the glass and the visibility is hardly diminished at all. There's a large thread on them here.
Cobra Member
Joined: April 23, 2012
Posts: 1,010
Likes: 11
From: Texas
I had no louvers on my '10, and the '12 came with them. I'm sure they reduce visibility somewhat... but I can't remember that I ever looked out that window in the old car, or noticed them from inside on the new one. I'd call the fact that they block the window a non-issue.
Bullitt Member
Joined: January 5, 2011
Posts: 411
Likes: 0
From: New Orleans
I have the 3D500 spoiler and the paint came out really good. Ur if I could do it over I would buy the OEM also I have the Roush side Louvers and I really like them and they were pre painted and done very well.
Tasca Super Boss 429 Member
Joined: July 7, 2012
Posts: 4,421
Likes: 21
From: Indianapolis
I want the widow louvre covers so bad! I considered the saleen ones because of their looks but question their quality.
However, I'm not ready to deal with a pissed off 5 year old who has made those little windows, "her windows." I could only imagine her face if those windows were blocked out,
However, I'm not ready to deal with a pissed off 5 year old who has made those little windows, "her windows." I could only imagine her face if those windows were blocked out,
Last edited by Getportfolio; Aug 23, 2012 at 09:38 AM.
