Cheapest Mods for my 96' GT

[T-Bone]

Hi, I'm new to this forum. I just bought a 96' Mustang GT. I think I'm the second owner and I don't know if there have been any modifications done to it.
What are the cheapest, most effective mods someone might suggest to increase the performance? I'm not too car smart either, so please be specific(keep the acronymns to a min.) Thanks in advance.
T-Bone

[shifty]

i have a 97 with nitrous, a k&n air filter and a hi flow replacement catalitic converter pipes made by sean hyland motorsports. i think the replacement pipes made a lot of difference and was an easy install with jackstands. of course the nitrous kit was the biggest horsepower improvement but you meant an easy and affordable change. anyway good luck.

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[Hammer]

Well, If you're not "car smart", you should really have any important mods done by a qualified tech.

The cheapest and simplest, is of course a K&N air filter. The next two are the standard mods of gears, pulleys and a short shifter. While gears (3.73/4.10) and the shifter won't add any horses, they will get you into the power band faster and decrease your 1/4 times a bit. Aftermarket pulleys are good for a few horses too.

Hope this helps...

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98 GT
Dyno-Max cat-back exhaust, 3.73 gears, Steeda shifter, Ford Motorsport Underdrive pullies, 87mm MAF and Roush cold air kit...

[GaryDawg]

Welcome T-Bone! Now I don't feel so alone as the only other non-automobile engineer here! I took off my air silencer and put in a K&N air filter... I did notice a difference. Next are my subframe connectors, then a short shifter.
http://home.earthlink.net/~siriusmoon/ponyrear.html http://home.earthlink.net/~siriusmoon/ponyfrnt.html

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'98 Rio Red (Clearcoat) Ragtop Mustang GT
3.27 optional ratio axle
17" Pony Sport wheels
K&N Air charger
Removed Air Silencer
Great lookin blonde passenger!
Vegas Baby!!!
Next to come...
Kenny Brown Matrix Kit
Steeda shifter



[This message has been edited by GaryDawg (edited 01-25-2000).]

[Killercammer]

If I was you I would go with the pulleys, a K&N and a removed silencer. And when funds permit diffenetely get gears. A shifter is a good mod also. Prices are as follows

March pulleys 140.00
K&N 50.00
Removed Silencer Free
Steeda shifter 180.00(but have seen cheaper)
Gears 189.00 + install my install was 150.00
Any questions e-mail me at 281cammer@altavista.net
Killercammer

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98 GT
Vortech S-trim
80mm Pro-M
75mm BBk Throttle body
3.55 FMS gears
Flowmaster Catback
Steeda Tri-ax shifter
Jamex 1.5 springs
Power Slot rotors
17x9 Chrome Cobra R's

[Mr 5 0]

T-Bone:

Since you're looking for some basic mods, I suggest you check out the Kar Kraft "Kold Air Kit".
This connects directly to the Mass Air meter and exits inside the front fender, so it draws in cooler, denser air.
It comes with a K&N conical filter.
This is available for '96-2000 4.6 Mustangs.
The manufacturer claims a 9-12 HP increase but figure about half that, which still isn't bad for a simple modification.

This item is featured on page 206 of the February issue of Muscle Mustangs & Fast Fords. No price, but I would guess no more than $150. Installation should be very simple. I have the same type of kit (from Moroso) on my '90 5.0 and found it to be an improvement. Sounds awesome at Wide Open Throttle (WOT).

No website for the company but the phone # is: 734-422-8510 (Livonia, Michigan).

I'm not a modular guy (yet) but when I see these new items for the 4.6 engines I like to pass them along...especially the cheaper, simplier ones, such as this cold air kit.


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Mr. 5.0
Messageboard Administrator

[T-Bone]

Thank you all very much for the advice and suggestions. I am considering all of them and have a list of things I'm planning to do to my 4.6L. They include the following items(not in any specific order, but closer to tax return time hopefully):
Pro 5.0 3.73:1(I guess this is the best since it seems to be the most popular ratio)
March Underdrive Pulleys
K&N Air Filter
Flowmaster 2 1/2" 3 Chamber exhaust
Bassani X-Pipes
Pro 5.0 shifter
70mm-80mm Throttle body?(not sure if bigger is better)
Motorsport Headers

I think that about covers it. If I've left something out let me know. Or if any of these parts are not recommended or are incompatible.
That should keep me busy for a while. Maybe later I'll try NOS. Seems awful cheap. Is there a downfall to this. Any experiences you could tell me about NOS(good or bad)? Is it legal in a street car? Is it bad for your engine?

Thanks again
T-Bone

[Killercammer]

T-bone don't waste your money on a throttle body till you get either a superchager or NOS. If you get one on a N/A you will only gain about 1-3 horsepower. Same thing with the headers there a waste unless s/c or got NOS. Not really saying a waste but there expensive for the small gains you will be getting.
Any questions mail me at 281cammer@altavista.net
Killercammer

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98 GT
Vortech S-trim
80mm Pro-M
75mm BBk Throttle body
3.55 FMS gears
Flowmaster Catback
Steeda Tri-ax shifter
Jamex 1.5 springs
Power Slot rotors
17x9 Chrome Cobra R's

[97snakedriver]

NOS or gears (3.73s) will give you the best bang for your buck. Everything else is worthwhile if done in conbinations. Have fun!

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'97 Cobra, K&N, Flowmaster, subframes, 4.10 gears, Steeda Tri-Ax shifter, Steeda G-Trac 3, Cobra R wheels w/ Goodyear F1s

[KFU_Tavon]

You might also consider a Steeda Timing adjuster. I think it is around $175. That way you can bump up timing and give it a few free horses. You cannot use the March pullies though if you want a timing adjuster. You will have to go with either Steeda pullies or ASP. Anything except the piggyback style. Hope this helps.

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Scott
96GT
MAC cat-back
BBK offroad h-pipe
MAC cold air induction
Steeda Tri-Ax Shifter

Everything in mod-eration

[chiaronate]

Originally posted by Killercammer
T-bone don't waste your money on a throttle body till you get either a superchager or NOS. If you get one on a N/A you will only gain about 1-3 horsepower. Same thing with the headers there a waste unless s/c or got NOS. Not really saying a waste but there expensive for the small gains you will be getting.
Any questions mail me at 281cammer@altavista.net
Killercammer
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98 GT
Vortech S-trim
80mm Pro-M
75mm BBk Throttle body
3.55 FMS gears
Flowmaster Catback
Steeda Tri-ax shifter
Jamex 1.5 springs
Power Slot rotors
17x9 Chrome Cobra R's

i read in a magazine article about a throttle body being dyno tested and it gained 1 horsepower, but also 8 ft.-lbs. of torque.