First of all, I'm glad this forum exists and grateful for the knowledge provided byMustang owners.. Its saves people like me time from spinning my wheels and purchasingequipment which might prove useless later on.

I'm finally going to ordera new mustang gt after 3 yearsof wanting and I don't know if I should wait to make any changes to the car after I purchase or have the dealer install a few items. Ford is offering 3 packages and I found a dealer by me who is installing them. The first is a handling package for $1600 installed, a drag package $3000 installed, and the performance package $1100 installed. Each carry 3yr/36000mile warranties. The performance package includes a cold air system and mufflers. The drag package includes 4.10 gears (a bit too steep for me!!), short shifter, shorty headers and cold air package. The handling package includes new struts, springs, sway bars and bushings. It lowers the car approx 1 1/2inches.

My question is... Do I want anything done to the car by the dealer to increase performance and handlingnowor should I wait to install aftermarket components after the fact? The only thing I would like to have installed are the headers as all I have is really bad memories (8 hrs of hell) of trying to install them in my 66 Galaxie.

My other concern is, doesinstalling a cold air package and other items myself null and void my new car warranty? My ultimate goal would be topick up some extra hp without breaking the bank. What will give me the biggest bang for the buck?

What would you guys do as you have already gone through it I'm sure?
Tx, Ed

 

First I would not get the drag pack for the headers. all they do is look shiney. shorty headers do not increase hp.The gears will make you faster off the block- they are a very good first mod. Plus theCAI (cold air)will add hp. The good thing about getting the dealer to do it is that it is covered under warranty. If you install an aftermarket Cai with a new tune you will either void your warranty or have to take it off any time you bring your car to the dealer. As for the performance pack if you want to change the sound of the car this is a decent deal. The handling pack is and upgrade and the car will need to be lowered at some point. Get what you can if you have the cash.

 

Do a forum search, you can learn a lot from that.

To cut a long story short, the "Ford Packs" are mediocre compared to some of the aftermarket parts out there. I would only buy the Ford packs if you have warranty concerns--for example, if the warranty is really important to you, or if you have a really **** dealer who is not at all mod-friendly. If that's the case, you don't really have a choice.

If that's not your situation, then I would do what the vast majority of us do on the forums, which is piece together the mods you want from various aftermarket sources. You will end up with better parts--often times for less $$$.