Officially committed to keeping the Mustang
08-04-2009, 06:05 PM
#1
2nd Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: CO
Posts: 439
Officially committed to keeping the Mustang
Pardon my long windedness...
I didn't get into the Mustang on purpose. It was not a car I was considering or had researched, but circumstances got the better of me and I ended up with one. I have not been thrilled with the car since day one, but given the aftermarket support, I thought I could make it better. I made the mistake of purchasing a twin turbo kit from STS.......that was a collosal waste of $$$ and I recomend that NO ONE do business with Squires Turbo Systems. Off came the turbos and I started looking for a different car. I test drove:
2005 Corvette C6 manual coupe w/ Z51
2008 Corvette C6 auto convertable
2007 Corvette C6 manual coupe w/ F55
2008 Corvette C6 manual coupe w/ Z51
2009 Corvette C6 manual coupe base
2009 BMW M3 convertable (They say it will compete with a 911 C2S, but it sure felt....blah)
2006 Porsche Cayman S w/ PSM
2006 Porsche Cayman S w/o PSM
2001 Porsche 911 Turbo
2005 Porsche 911 C4S (After driving this car, I will not bother to test drive any other when the time comes. This is THE ONE.)
All of these cars, stock for stock, IMO, were much nicer and more exciting to drive than the Mustang. I was very close to making a deal on the Cayman S w/ PSM, but after sleeping on it, could not convince myself to part with the downpayment I needed to get a payment I could live with. I'm already two years into payments on the 'Stang and four months ahead, so the prospect of starting over didn't sit well with me (or my wife).
Instead, I started talking with a local tuner that has come highly recommended from the local Mustang club (coloradostangs), and set up a plan to make this car a little more exciting. While he offered to salvage the STS kit and build me a custom, traditional underhood twin turbo, I decided to stick to the N/A route this time around. I made a firm budget that includes power, suspension, and stereo upgrades, and as of noon today I committed to keeping this car for a while by ordering:
C&L Racer intake
C&L Upper intake manifold (yeah, I'm gonna be a guinnea pig and give it a shot)
JBA Titanium Ceramic Shorty headers
Comp XFI NSR Stage II cams
Corsa Sport axleback exhaust
As soon as the stuff gets to me, the car will go to the tuner. I will likely start ordering suspension parts while the car is parked for the winter. Next spring I will look into cnc'd heads and high compression pistons. I know the money I intend to spend on power upgrades will be near that of F/I, but this way, I can do it in stages, as I see fit.
I did a lot of research and even joined online forums for the the other cars I test drove. The Mustang community just feels like a much friendlier (and less upity) brotherhood than the other cars I was looking at. This forum has provided TONS of knowledge and support. I'm looking forward to seeing what I can do with this car over the next 3-5 years and sharing information and stories with the community.
BTW, While I was typing this, I got a message saying BRENSPEED has already shipped the items I ordered through them!!!
I didn't get into the Mustang on purpose. It was not a car I was considering or had researched, but circumstances got the better of me and I ended up with one. I have not been thrilled with the car since day one, but given the aftermarket support, I thought I could make it better. I made the mistake of purchasing a twin turbo kit from STS.......that was a collosal waste of $$$ and I recomend that NO ONE do business with Squires Turbo Systems. Off came the turbos and I started looking for a different car. I test drove:
2005 Corvette C6 manual coupe w/ Z51
2008 Corvette C6 auto convertable
2007 Corvette C6 manual coupe w/ F55
2008 Corvette C6 manual coupe w/ Z51
2009 Corvette C6 manual coupe base
2009 BMW M3 convertable (They say it will compete with a 911 C2S, but it sure felt....blah)
2006 Porsche Cayman S w/ PSM
2006 Porsche Cayman S w/o PSM
2001 Porsche 911 Turbo
2005 Porsche 911 C4S (After driving this car, I will not bother to test drive any other when the time comes. This is THE ONE.)
All of these cars, stock for stock, IMO, were much nicer and more exciting to drive than the Mustang. I was very close to making a deal on the Cayman S w/ PSM, but after sleeping on it, could not convince myself to part with the downpayment I needed to get a payment I could live with. I'm already two years into payments on the 'Stang and four months ahead, so the prospect of starting over didn't sit well with me (or my wife).
Instead, I started talking with a local tuner that has come highly recommended from the local Mustang club (coloradostangs), and set up a plan to make this car a little more exciting. While he offered to salvage the STS kit and build me a custom, traditional underhood twin turbo, I decided to stick to the N/A route this time around. I made a firm budget that includes power, suspension, and stereo upgrades, and as of noon today I committed to keeping this car for a while by ordering:
C&L Racer intake
C&L Upper intake manifold (yeah, I'm gonna be a guinnea pig and give it a shot)
JBA Titanium Ceramic Shorty headers
Comp XFI NSR Stage II cams
Corsa Sport axleback exhaust
As soon as the stuff gets to me, the car will go to the tuner. I will likely start ordering suspension parts while the car is parked for the winter. Next spring I will look into cnc'd heads and high compression pistons. I know the money I intend to spend on power upgrades will be near that of F/I, but this way, I can do it in stages, as I see fit.
I did a lot of research and even joined online forums for the the other cars I test drove. The Mustang community just feels like a much friendlier (and less upity) brotherhood than the other cars I was looking at. This forum has provided TONS of knowledge and support. I'm looking forward to seeing what I can do with this car over the next 3-5 years and sharing information and stories with the community.
BTW, While I was typing this, I got a message saying BRENSPEED has already shipped the items I ordered through them!!!
08-04-2009, 06:32 PM
#4
3rd Gear Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Basra, Iraq
Posts: 660
WOW...i was in the same boat as you for a while! But low and behold i stayed with the stang ! Good choice on parts ! and good luck on the N/A route. post as many pics as you can of all installs and parts added to the toy !
08-04-2009, 06:39 PM
#6
3rd Gear Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 782
Glad to hear you're deciding to keep it.
I just had that conversation with someone the other day. I agree with you 100%.
I just had that conversation with someone the other day. I agree with you 100%.
08-04-2009, 07:20 PM
#8
S197 Section Modder-ator
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Orlando FL
Posts: 13,373
08-04-2009, 08:16 PM
#10
Mish-ogynist
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Helena, MT
Posts: 3,780
What is your elevation there in CO? I'm at 3500ft here and there is no way I'd stay N/A.. you wont get nearly as much power n/a out of it as someone at sea level would.. if you are up near 5000ft taking it to a dyno w/o correction will make you cry..
Boost or N20 i decided is a requirement for me if i want to be quick.. no other way around it.. N/A cars up here lose a full second on the 1/4 mile, boosted cars lose only .5 secs
otherwise id be ording cams and Lt headers and Driveshaft right now!
Boost or N20 i decided is a requirement for me if i want to be quick.. no other way around it.. N/A cars up here lose a full second on the 1/4 mile, boosted cars lose only .5 secs
otherwise id be ording cams and Lt headers and Driveshaft right now!