Which bolt ons are worth it?

skyrckt337 · 10-07-2009, 09:19 PM

I just purchased my first stang, a 96 GT with 153K miles on it. The PO was neurotic about maintenance and it literally looks show room clean. I was hoping to post pics but they are too high res. Anyway, it is the car I have always wanted. It is 5 speed and I was told he had Ford put a 3:55 LSD rear end in it. It hangs out about 2200rpm at 75 or so. The only mods he did were K&N filter, short throw shift, and Flowmaster exhaust with high flow cats. I was looking at some of the basic bolt on stuff: CAI, throttle body, plenum, maybe headers. Which of these are worth it and how much power/torque can I hope to achieve? One of the companies claimed around 10hp at 5100 rpm. That seems to be awful high rpm for me. I usually shift around 4000. So, is there any benefit to these things or am I just not driving it hard enough? It really is so clean I almost hate to modify it.

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mrtstang · 10-07-2009, 10:16 PM

Well, a set of 4.10's would really wake your car up, but since you already have 3.55's, i'd say that one's up to you. A set of long tube headers and a good tune would be your next best bet.

Don't believe the company's claims. They are usually inflated, and aimed at making the sale over telling you the truth.

Also, you need to rev that thing out to 5500-5700 rpm to make full power. You are severly limiting your cars output by shifting at 4k.

CAI, tb/plenum, udp's, etc are not going to help nearly as well as gears, tune, and full exhaust.

Stone629 · 10-07-2009, 10:31 PM

+1 to what Mrt posted. 4.10s are your best bet if you want some more acceleration. The only other thing I would spend money on would be doing a PI swap. If you do the swap, then you can start looking at cams to really wake it up and get into the low 13s. Headers will help some, but don't expect much more than 15rwhp with a tune. The headers without a tune won't gain you all that much.

Some friendly advice..If you are fairly satisfied with it as it sits, save your money on bolt ons. Its going to be hard to get much power out of it without forced induction. Sounds like a really clean car.

lilcrate · 10-07-2009, 10:43 PM

I would say get a mid pipe and call it a day. Save every penny for a supercharger. Gears are great, but 3.55 will be fine with a blower. Headers are great, but they are a good chunk of change that could go towards a blower.

H0SS302 · 10-07-2009, 10:52 PM

None of them are worth it by them selves. When you finally spend your ~2000 on all the bolt ons you feel a good 30-40Hp difference with a tune.

0949er · 10-07-2009, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by H0SS302

None of them are worth it by them selves. When you finally spend your ~2000 on all the bolt ons you feel a good 30-40Hp difference with a tune.

that sums it up about right. Although you will feel the "most" from from headers and a tune. Cams really woke my car up...

I dont really follow the "save every penny for a super charger" to be honest. That takes a pretty LONG time, and I think that the enjoyment you will get adding a bolt-on every few months will be a lot more satisfying then driving a bone stock (close to it) gt around for 6 to 8 months (or however long it takes)

Looking back now, I could of bought a S/C setup with everything I have paid so far for this car... but now, its just that much better when I finally get some F/I.

Enjoy the car man, buy some parts here and there. S/C's will come eventually if you want them too. HAVE FUN!!!

teej281 · 10-07-2009, 11:48 PM

Do a PI swap!!! Thats a bolt-on right

PaintballFreak · 10-08-2009, 12:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teej281

Do a PI swap!!! Thats a bolt-on right

Yes! I can't speak from experience since I've only owned 99+ mustangs, but from what I've read, the PI swap is a decent investment for a better modding platform. If I were to go to the trouble though, I would probably have the heads ported and get different cams instead of the stock new edge GT parts. They are cheap to find used though so that is a plus if money's an issue.

Here is a thread that describes the PI swap for ya.

teej281 · 10-08-2009, 01:05 AM

If i were to do a head swap on the 96-98 GT, I'd just do TrickFlow heads and some stage 2.5 n/a cams and longtubes and just call it a day.

sxynerd · 10-08-2009, 02:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by H0SS302

None of them are worth it by them selves. When you finally spend your ~2000 on all the bolt ons you feel a good 30-40Hp difference with a tune.

+1

Gears for kick, Exhaust to drop the panties and a blower to silence the GM mouth breather.