I just bought an 04 GT Mustang. I don't know much about cars or mustangs, but I love the car. I am wondering what to put in it first to boost performance. Anyone have suggestions on what to put in first and what is the best kind of whatever it is, and an estimated cost for it? Thanks.

 

Well I would start with the exhaust. You can look at my upgrades down below this and I spent about $1200 for what I have listed. Headers make a really big difference. After that I would throw a 3.55 rear end in it. Im not sure if yours come with the 3.27 or not but mie did and thats what Im doing next is the rearend. If you do a lot of highway driving I wouldnt go above 3.73. Do you have an automatic or a manual. If auto then there a few diffrent style chips you can buy to adjust your shifting and all. Get a cold air intake also. Dont get the K&N filter attached to your tubing, you will be sucking the engines hot air. After all that get into the engine.

 

Id put in 3.73 gears for your first upgrade. Do some shopping around. gears are about $140.00/180.00. Labor was $500.00, but I did it at the
dealership due to I couldn't find a legit shop to do it. Im sure I got burned for labor. This will not void you warranty according to the dealer. I had them put that in writing. I've read in some of the forums that people where paying $300-400 at you local shop for everything.
You have a 3.27. The 3.73 will wake your stang up, not to mention alot of rubber. Keep reading the forum and Im sure you will have some good
success.

2002 GT-VERT/auto 3.73 Ford Racing,FlowMasters 40,C&L plenum,BBK 75mm tb, Mac straight shot with 85mm maf,ngk plugs, March Perf pullies,
Predator tuner, 275-40 BFG tires. Roll Bar,tonue cover,builet peddles.

 

It's a 5 speed manual. What are the best brands for exhausts? and about how much do they cost?

 

I went with MAC long tube ceramic coated headers and those run like $470, the Bassani Offroad X Pipe was $230. The 40 series flows were 303.00 and the the labor ran like $600. Not bad at all really.

 

I like the sound of flowmasters. But it's your preference. They cost about $70.00 a piece. AS for the headers and h or x pipe, those are my next investments. I looked a magna flow and BBK x pipes and they where about $400.00 with cats. I have no idea about headers, but I know it will
cost you another $400/$650 plus labor if you don't install.. Flowmaster gives you a very aggressive signature, but you will get 6 different opions and It'll come down to what your wallet can afford. Take alook through the forum, there are a ton advice on every exhaust system ava today, Im sure you will find you answer.

 

My 40 series flows cost $140.00 a peice. I LOVE THE SOUND OF THEM AT 2000 RMP'S. BRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

 

If you WANT performance out of your stang, get Magnaflow exhaust. My catted X pipe and stainless steel cat-back cost $760 with free shipping. My exhaust sounds mean and doesn't have the tin can sound like slowmasters, not to mention that straight through exhaust like Magnaflows will deliver better output which = more horsepower.

Don't do CAI. Doesn't do crap! If you upgrade your Mass air meter like the C&L MAF kit, you will get better performance. The Mass air meter is the restriction of the air flow along with that crappy filter they put on. The C&L kit comes with a K&N high flow air filter that will last the life of the car, you can clean it and re-oil. I also got the trueflow inlet pipe that connects the MAM to the throttle body. info at www.cnlperformance.com

after you do that, there are lots of ways to go. Gears (3.73 or 4.10's), short shifter, new TB and plenum, underdrive pullies, timing adjuster just for starters. DON'T do a performance chip. They won't work as well as a custom tune for your car and have them burn a custom chip.

Good luck with your new ride!

 

Does anyone know a site where I can download clips of the sounds they make of different exhuasts? I think I might go with the magnaflow exhausts.

 

www.mustangexhaust.com