Eric98233

Hey everyone, so I am new to the mustang/rear world drive world my last car was an Subaru STI ... Im just wondering what would be the First upgrade for power that should be done first... on my old car everyone said to do the ECU first.. So I am just wondering if that would be the way to for first or should I start somewhere else.. Look forward to reading all of your comments
Thanks
Eric

QuickStang5o

Intake & tune combo!

11GTStang

To be honest, suggestions and opinions of vehicle mods are like **** holes - everybody's got one. What's good for one person is totally different to anothers taste, so, it all depends on what you like and want and your budget.

Saying all that, first up is a Cold Air Intake, I call it eye candy under the hood, in most cases, folks have a custom tune to reprogram the stock computer settings. Some popular CAI's are by - Airaid, JLT & Steeda. Most CAI's require a computer retuning, however, with the Airaid, it is one of the few that can be used with or without a tune.
http://www.americanmuscle.com/airaid-cai-2011gt.html

Along with the CAI, most folks get a tune, this is where most of the additional power/performance is obtained. This will also disable the dreaded "Skip Shift" feature most folks hate in the manual transmission.
http://www.americanmuscle.com/x3-cus...er-2011gt.html

In my opinion, the stock exhaust is too quiet, and for a lot of folks the Ford Racing SVT (GT500) axle back mufflers are a great choice, not too loud but adds some more muscle car sound:

http://www.americanmuscle.com/ford-g...FYjt7QodiVFxJg

In addition to the axle back mufflers, some folks like to change out the stock H pipe with a X pipe, some suggest:
http://www.americanmuscle.com/ford-xpipe-11gt.html

Last on my suggestion list is Lower Control Arms & maybe Upper Control Arms - if your one that likes to smoke the tires/burn rubber - whatever you like to call it. The car is known for the dreaded "Wheel Hop" when starting out aggressively & spinning the tires. The best advice I could give you on that is call Sam Strano at stranoparts.com , with ANY type suspension related changes and parts, suggestions, advice, etc.
http://www.stranoparts.com/partdetai...D=99&ModelID=5

http://www.stranoparts.com/searchbymodel.php?ModelID=35

Hope that remotely helps. I'm sure you will enjoy your new Stang.

Oh, there are "Lots" of good places to purchase your mods, some to consider are: stranoparts.com, americanmuscle.com, cjponyparts.com, latemodelrestoration.com, fordracingparts.com just to name a few.

Everett

Plus 1. The 5.0 responds very well to a cai and tune. If it's an auto the tune adjusts shift points too

SD6

Exactly what he said.

Since you said "power" first, I'd suggest CAI+tune combo to start.

If that's a bit pricey to start, go with the axlebacks (GT500, Bassani, etc, or my favorite = Roush).
They won't give you much power, but the pure sound enjoyment you'll get will make you feel like it has more power.

Everett

Don't bother with a cai that doesn't need a tune,the tune is where the magic happens. I suggest american muscle cai and tuner combo. Then you get free updated tunes for life. So everytime you ad a mod bama will write you a tune to compensate. It's the best tune deal out there. And from what I have read customers are pretty happy. They send you 3 tunes. You can choose from street,performance and race and you can choose different octane levels to go with the choices above. and if you don't like what they send you all you gotta do is give them feedback and they will integrate your preferences into the tune. Great deal

Eric98233

Awesome thanks everyone nice to have people explain and give good pointers...
so use to the nasioc forums where everyone flames everyone for any imput.. CIA it is then...
thanks
Eric

eliyarbrough

I went with a Flow axle-back set-up. I love it, wished I'd maybe gone w/Roush?

11GTStang

Also, if you decide you might be interested in changing out your exhaust, thought you might be interested in the links below if you haven't already found them. You may also want to search the forum for the keyword "drone".



https://themustangsource.com/f726/20...-clips-487106/

http://mustangcliq.com/2010/08/08/20...exhaust-guide/

2012GT

Steeda CAI and 93 / 87 race tune is sick!

stupidgenius36

I always say to start with a tune, then go from there. A tune tells your engine how to handle/compensate for every other mod you do to it. A CAI that doesn't require a tune, likely doesn't need it...cuz it's not doing anything. If it's really doing anything, then you need a tune to tell the engine what to do with it. Otherwise just a CAI may do nothing, or it may lean out your engine. I'd say start with a tune or a tune/CAI combo. And someone already mentioned American Muscle's free tunes for life, so you may wanna give them a look.

Ivan 5.0

My first mod was a CAI + Tune combo. The more popular CAIs are steeda, JLT, C&L, and Airaid. The more popular tuners are lethal/lund, Livernois, BBR, Brenspeed, Bama/AM. Start there

eric n

I can only speak to my own experience. CAI and tune from Steeda have been great for me. Previously had a jlt intake and tune from Bama on my 2005...also LOVED it. Mustangs respond really well to more aggressive tuning.

Some prefer to go with sound before fury and an axle back can make some nice sound depending on taste but won't really contribute to power.

If handling is your thing every speaks crazy highly of Sam Strano. Prices are solid as hell and advice seems to be gold, he will be my next mod.

Welcome to American Muscle.