First mods to do on a 2004 GT.

[bama96]

Hello, I am new here and now own my first Mustang GT. I just got it this past Friday. It has a 5 speed tranny. Suggestions on some performance first mods that will help it. Thanks in advance

[xxxBlakexxx]

Welcome to the club!!!

Do you care about the warrenty? If you do, then you may want to limit your mods. The warrenty thing is a big problem for some people. Something as simple as anexhaust can void a power train warrenty.

How seriuous do you want to get?

If you are looking for some great, big bang for the buck mods, my favorites are:

1 - After-Market shifter like a Steeda Tri-Ax ($170). The stock shifter sucks. Do this one right away. You will be impressed. Not a warrenty problem either.

2 - Get rid of the stock rims if you can unless you got nice chrome ones with the car when new. I think rims are a great mod. All show and no go, but still one of my favorite mods (not a warrenty problem unless you get crazy)

3 - Catback exhaust! Lots to choose from. Gain a few hp (just a couple), but a nice sound for under $400.

4 - New gears. My choice 4.10's. Cost about $500 - $600 installed. Will not add hp, but will make the car more fun to drive and quicker.

5 - Replace the under drive pullies. About $200 - $250 installed. This will add 10 hp to the rear wheels by slowing down your acessories.

6 - Add a plenum and a larger throttle body. Total cost around $400. Your car will pull much better at higher RPMs. You will see 8 - 10 hp gain. Nice mod. Total cost about $400 and you can install in about an hour if you are not afraid of tools.

7 - Cold air intake! About $60 - $200 depending on which one you go with.

8 - Performance Chip? I have one, but don't bother unless you do a custom tune.

That's my input. As far as actual brands to use, we can talk all day about that. There are lots of opinions on that subject, but ask away and be sure to read old threads.

[91LX2Bfast]

Ford is out of line right now concerning the voiding of warranty's. So if you want to keep your warranty, you have to mod accordingly.
Going along with Blake, I'd say first get an aftermarket shifter. If you have to take your car in for warranty work, and shifter is something that can be swapped back to stock very easily.
You are also pretty safe to do exhaust mods.
Gears are the best bang for the buck, but thats probably going to get your warranty voided.
Heck, Ford has voided several SVT Lightning warranty's because the "correct" weight oil was not run. I don't know about you, but I would not run the suggested 5W20 in that motor either.
K&N's are even off limits now because dumbasses have been over oiling them, which in turn gets oil on the filament of the MAF, which can mess up the reading and lean out the motor blowing it. But you don't need a K&N anyway. The paper cone filter (when clean) flows plenty of air.

So before we get too far into this: Do you care about your warranty?

[explicitone]

heres my list

1st shifter (pro5.0 or steeda tri ax)
2nd gears (frpp 4.10s)
3rd catted x pipe
4th pullies and timing adj
5th c&l plenum and t/b

[420nitro]

If your worried about the warranty, then put parts on that you can take off and put back to stock. I would also go back to the dealer and ask for the service manager or director. Ask him/her what they feel comfortable on the car that would not void warrenty. Most of the time it's a judgement call on they're behalf! So be cool with them and they will most likley tell you what you can and can't do with in reason. You will be SURPRISED at how much more lenient they can be towards you later!
Hopefully he won't be a dick!
Good Luck

[blue00gt]

The law says that in order for them not to honor your warranty they must prove that your modifications caused the failure. I'm not saying that they won't hassle you or they won't try to tell you that they won't fix things under warranty, but you do have some legal recourse. The burden of proof is on them, but when it comes to that I think it is alot like insurance companies that tell people the first time they file a claim that they won't honor it even if they should because alot of people just give up at that point.

[Mercury]

Originally posted by blue00gt
The law says that in order for them not to honor your warranty they must prove that your modifications caused the failure. I'm not saying that they won't hassle you or they won't try to tell you that they won't fix things under warranty, but you do have some legal recourse. The burden of proof is on them, but when it comes to that I think it is alot like insurance companies that tell people the first time they file a claim that they won't honor it even if they should because alot of people just give up at that point.

How very true. I thought I was going to have to go to blows before with the Service Dept Manager. So I made his life hell and became a irrate customer infront of other customers....stuff got done..

[bigred90gt]

Originally posted by Mercury
How very true. I thought I was going to have to go to blows before with the Service Dept Manager. So I made his life hell and became a irrate customer infront of other customers....stuff got done..

Oh lord, I could only imagine that story!!!

[xxxBlakexxx]

Guys, I am thinking about a cam. Any recomendations? I want the old muscle car sound. Here are some ?'s:

1 - What would be a good choice for my car?

2 - What are the risks?

3 - Cost for the cam?

4 - Cost to install?

5 - Other considerations?

6 - Typical power increase?

Thanks!

[bigred90gt]

Check out this thread on Modular Depot. VT stage 2 cams on a 00 GT.