New Mustang owner needs input
 

I'm a Ford convert from Chevy having purchased my first 2000 Mustang. It's one of those mid-life crisis things. : )

Anyway, it has the 3.8 V-6 with a five speed. It runs like a scalded cat, but the idle is rough. Also, the RPMs increase slightly (200-300) between shifts. The folks at Ford have told me this is normal for the V-6. Can anyone confirm this or share with me if this is not true?

Another "odd" thing is the transmission. It is hard to shift sometimes, as though the clutch hasn't fully disengaged. The folks at Ford called this "bump-shift" and said it was "normal." I have never heard this term before, and since this is my first Ford I don't know what is normal. I would greatly appreciate any input anyone can give concerning these things.

One last thing I'd like to ask are ideas (simple bolt-ons) to improve performance. The car runs great, but I want to get an edge on the V-6 Camaro owners. I may be a minister, but that doesn't mean I don't feel the need for speed. : )

Thanks a bunch,

Pastor Robert
Minister12@juno.com

Pastor Robert:

Welcome to Mustang Works Online!

I don't know much about the V-6 but I'll submit that when a dealer says "they all do that" or when the car performs in some odd way and they tell you "that's normal" it's usually a form of brush-off and should not be tolerated.

It sounds as if the idle may need a simple adjustment or the IAB needs to be cleaned, although it's awfully soon for that.
The shifting problem may be due to a clutch adjustment being needed and a fluid check would be a good idea. Take it back and don't take the brush-off answers. New cars should shift properly and not have an idle surge, and you need to politely explain this to the service writer and go over his head if he stonewalls you. Granted, prayer shouldn't be necessary just to get your Mustang serviced properly, but it may come to that sometimes.

As for simple bolt-on's, a K&N air filter is a good place to begin, and a set of steeper differential gears (3.73 ratio) would do a lot for performance without affecting the engine; but beware of voiding the warranty with bolt-on's. Not to tempt you, but the K&N filter is 'legal' and the gears would be 'invisible' to any Ford mechanic.
Just a thought.

The 2000 Mustang is a great car and we wish you well with yours. Thanks for joining us.

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Mr. 5.0
Messageboard Administrator

I just purchased a 2000 V6. A few weeks after I had it I removed the intake silencer and installed a K&N filter. I notice a little more pep around corners and on the low end torque.

Now, about shifting: most of the power that you'll find will be located between 3000 and 5000 rpm. You might be shifting to early if you feel lack of power in your shifts. The 3.8 stock engine contains 190hp @ 5000 rpm, therefore, you'll notice that after 3000 speed will increase a lot faster.

So far I have not witnessed any shifting problems, or noises. You should get it serviced if the problem persists. If you are getting crappy service by sales people, talk to the main man of the location you are taking your vehicle.

[This message has been edited by J.M (edited 04-23-2000).]

Thanks for the input. From what I've been hearing, removing the silencer and going with a K&N filter is the thing to do. Both are on my list.

As for the shifting problem, it seems to "bind" slightly between gears. It's not a smooth, flowing shift. I've talked to some others who have the same transmission, and they say they have the same problem. It's as though the clutch isn't totally disengaged. It's not a real problem, but more of an irritation.

I'm still not sure if the place I got the car from is pulling my leg or not. However, they're like most businesses down here...difficult to deal with. I'm going to give it another week or so before I get nasty with them. However, I did give them negative feedback on their customer service card.

Thanks again for your input.

I just purchased a 2000 Mustang V6...After noticing that the shifting was a little more stiff than is acceptable even in a new car, I went back to the dealer. I got a bit of a run around by the service people and was told to give it some more time, and if the problem persists, to return...From the way you described the shifting problems, it sounds the same as mine....

Any ideas on a pro-5.0 shifter...would it smooth out shifting? Would it void the warranty?

for some more advanced but easy mods after the silencer, get a dual exhaust (all you need is a $70 pacesetter adapter, and GT take-off exhaust [$65 from Saleen straight off a new GT]) You can do the exhaust yourself, the hardest part is cutting the stock exhaust pipe, but all that takes is a hacksaw and a little patience. after that just bolt on the Pacesetter and GT exhaust with a wrench. Also, if you haven't already got a K+N, get a CAI(Cold Air Induction) kit from MAC. It's run you around $180, but is well worth it. It includes a K+N filter, and a pipe to place it well out of the path of hot air. Cold air greatly increases combustion, so a noticible power difference can be obtained with only around an hour of work involving merely bolting on a couple of clamps

It's been awhile since I've been on here, so thanks to 2000MustangV6 and stacyvt for your input. To begin with, I have taken the car back to the dealer and drove another Mustang to see if it did the same thing...it did. So I guess I'll keep the one I have. http://www.mustangworks.com/interact...oard/smile.gif

The performance tips you've shared will be seriously looked at. I was told, though, that if I modified the exhaust, outside of the dealer, that my warranty would be voided. So I'm going to look into that more. As for removing the silencer and installing a K&N filter, both are slated for this coming weekend.

Thanks again for the input, and keep it coming. All I can say is, Praise God and long live Mustangs!!!!! http://www.mustangworks.com/interact...rd/biggrin.gif