pfc_gomez

Hey guys I have a question that I would like an opinion from long time owners modders. I just bought a 2002 Mustang GT with Flowmaster axleback exhaust used from dealer. I have about from $600 to $700 to spend on it right now so I was wondering what upgrades are in my budget that will get me the most bang for my buck. The only requirement is that being in California I need upgrades that wont prevent me from passing smog. Thanks for your help.

TRUEBLUE3934

GEARS!!!
You are right on budget for a set of gears and they will absolutely make your car pull harder.
The ratio you chose depends upon your plans for the car. I won't go into all of that unless you come back with a request for more info on gears.

MCxQubed

You're gonna need something to correct your speedo tho. So if you get gears I'd recommend getting a handheld tuner as well

http://www.americanmuscle.com/tuner-...it-9904gt.html

This is a kit that I put in a different thread last night and I think this is what you should get. The ratio you can choose tho, I just had 4.10s already copied so that's what I pasted. You could also get a speedcal, and that corrects your speedo but it won't tune the car like a handheld will

Shampue

When you say Bang for your buck, are you referring to mods that will improve HP, torque &/or acceleration? Or do you mean handling & braking? Or do you mean cosmetics? To me, "bang for my buck" means value.

Every time your kind of thread gets posted, everyone always says gears. But I often wonder if other types of mods aren't more desirable for some people. For instance, braking is more important to me than HP. So is instrument visibility.

Sorry if I sound like a dork, but you don't really state what you're wanting out of your mods. Yes you mention emission legal so I guess you mean power mods.. But I thought I'd ask anyways

timthegreat1

Gears will make your car feel like a whole new animal but it all depends on what you are looking for.

Soldier GT

Gears...

pfc_gomez

Anyone know a rough estimate a shop will charge to install the gears? I have read lots of posts about 3.73 and 4.10 gears and I cant decide what I should go with? I have modded past cars in the past but never past CAI, Exhaust and wheels so the gears are new to me. Usually I drive to my kids school in am then to work about 15 miles there and 10 miles back trough back roads and fields. When the family is going out we take the SUV so unless I'm running an errand by myself the Mustang stays parked the rest of the day. What gears would do you guys think would be best for me?

MCxQubed

4.10s for sure. depends on what youre planning for the future, if its gonna be just a simple bolt on car then 4.10s are perfect. If youre planning on supercharging then more people prefer 3.73 although i love my 4.10s. A shop should charge you in the 300-400 dollar range

jeh4269

^this for sure.Sounds like 4.10's are what your looking for.

disposablehero27

gears, 4.10s, speed cal, end of story. You won't believe the difference. Take your exhaust and CAI mods, multiply them by about 5.