Prokek

I'm in the process of pulling my engine because it has a rod knock. While I'm doing this I want to put some mods in. The car is completely stock and I'm getting 3.73 gears in the near future. S/c is out of my budget. So I'm wondering what would be the best upgrade for the money?

Its a 2000 GT btw.

disposablehero27

well if it were me, i'd only want to pull the engine one time, and i'd do as much as i could while i could. in alot of cases, your going to have to pull the motor for headers... alot of money minimal gains, cams.. alot more gain, way better sound, alot more money. forged internals, pistons rods etc... just me, i'd want to do those things while its convienant, however expensive. if thats not in the wallet then maybe to throttle body, good gain not a horrible price, i enjoy mine every day, the whistle sound, rips through the rpms, 1600cfm accufab. from rpmoutlet.com some of you guys can do plenums too, i can't 4v cobra. you'll love the gears, nice difference, cold air intake will help the MPG and give you a little more pep, help it breathe. but for the record, while you have the motor out, i'd want to do the stuff that would require it out. everything else you have the whole life of the car left to do and save up for.

Prokek

Ya I was looking at a throttle body. But forged internals is out of my price range. I'm looking to spend around $1,000 max. =/

disposablehero27

well then i'd do headers/cams/heads... you can do a throttle body whenever, don't have to pull the motor for that ya no? i mean, that is the biggest factor to me, its out, make it count. you can slap a throttle body on in 20minutes. something to that effect. if that doesn't matter for 1,000 i'd do TB/plenum/alum.drive shaft/plugs

disposablehero27

gears you'll feel the most

Prokek

Ya, I get what your saying. Sounds good. What brand would you recommend? And thanks for your help.

disposablehero27

i have motive gears in now, going to ford racing, never had a problem out of the motives. i have 3.73's now, going up to 4.10's. a whole lot more pep, i don't do as much hwy drving now and could use a lilttle more in the cars old age. My friend had a 98gt with 4.10's in, all stock, it was a mean machine. people tried to pass him.. in 5th gear didn't even downshift and lost em. put it this way... his car and gear setup is why i bought mine... and sound of course.

boduke0220

i'd do headers and cams.

SVTeeshirt

+1 on 4.10s for an all motor car, do some CMS stage 2 cams with some new valvesprings,

mrtstang

Well best bang for the buck is going to nitrous, but if you don't want that then a good tune with a full exhaust, and cams would be pretty nice. Also i would do 4.10's over 3.73's.

If i were you, and had 1 grand to spend (i assume this doesn't include gears, since you included those in your description already) i'd do a small shot of juice (maybe a 75 shot) and a catback exhaust. You could make this doable in your price range. You'll get your exhaust sounding good, and get a hellava performance increase.