New Stang owner in Dallas Texas-What First
03-11-2014, 09:44 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Texas
Posts: 4
New Stang owner in Dallas Texas-What First
Hello, My name is Danny and I just purchased a 2004 Black on Black GT convertible with 59K miles. It was a 1 owner and not one single mod has been done to the vehicle. It was a garage car and seems to be in above average shape.
Now I have been reading different threads on here for a bit. The search function helps a ton but I have so much to learn and needless to say there seems to be endless information here.
So I'm going to ask a few of you, based on your personal experience, what would you start by doing to this car.
My goals are to keep it as a nice daily driver and will never race or rally it too much. Reliability is key for me as I would like it to last a long time.
Thinks I know I want to do immediately. Exhaust so I can hear that V8, probably go with SLP or Flowmaster based on what I've read and heard. Again, not trying to eek out every ounce of performance just more for a good note. I don't think I will do the X-pipe and cat delete stuff, just mufflers.
I want to add a new head unit and tie into the factory Mach 460. The system is okay but I need to bluetooth to my phone and XM yada yada. The only other think here on audio is maybe a sub for the trunk to give it a little fuller sounds all around.
Black Cobra wheels staggered cause I love the look.
A short throw shifter as this just seems what everyone does and makes sense to have it.
Not sure on CAI yet. I've always done them to my trucks but never really noticed a difference. Are the 4.6 V8's better with CAI? I mean noticeably better?
Are there any other must do's to the 2004 GT's to prevent an issue or to improve over factory? Not the fun stuff it would be nice to have but the stuff, " you have to change XYZ as they break or are weak link on this model.
Sorry for the long post but I wanted to present a blank canvas type scenario and would people would do first based on what yielded the biggest smile or gain.
Thanks to all in advance
Danny
Now I have been reading different threads on here for a bit. The search function helps a ton but I have so much to learn and needless to say there seems to be endless information here.
So I'm going to ask a few of you, based on your personal experience, what would you start by doing to this car.
My goals are to keep it as a nice daily driver and will never race or rally it too much. Reliability is key for me as I would like it to last a long time.
Thinks I know I want to do immediately. Exhaust so I can hear that V8, probably go with SLP or Flowmaster based on what I've read and heard. Again, not trying to eek out every ounce of performance just more for a good note. I don't think I will do the X-pipe and cat delete stuff, just mufflers.
I want to add a new head unit and tie into the factory Mach 460. The system is okay but I need to bluetooth to my phone and XM yada yada. The only other think here on audio is maybe a sub for the trunk to give it a little fuller sounds all around.
Black Cobra wheels staggered cause I love the look.
A short throw shifter as this just seems what everyone does and makes sense to have it.
Not sure on CAI yet. I've always done them to my trucks but never really noticed a difference. Are the 4.6 V8's better with CAI? I mean noticeably better?
Are there any other must do's to the 2004 GT's to prevent an issue or to improve over factory? Not the fun stuff it would be nice to have but the stuff, " you have to change XYZ as they break or are weak link on this model.
Sorry for the long post but I wanted to present a blank canvas type scenario and would people would do first based on what yielded the biggest smile or gain.
Thanks to all in advance
Danny
03-12-2014, 08:11 AM
#2
2nd Gear Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Texas
Posts: 268
I would recommend getting an MGW short throw shifter to start. It's not that much, and it makes a huge difference in the way the car feels when you drive it. I could never go back to a stock shifter now that I'm used to the MGW. I also have 4.10 gears in my car, but I hesitate to recommend that, even though I like the way it performs with the gears, the 3650 transmission first gear is really too steep for 4.10's. First gear becomes the tire blowing gear before you quickly put it in 2nd to finish your burnout.
03-12-2014, 05:53 PM
#3
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Texas
Posts: 24
Welcome. I just recently bought my first mustang from San Antonio. One thing I noticed about these cars is that they have 4 catalytic converter. So that might affect the sound of your exhaust. My car had dual flowmaster 44s but it sounded really quiet. Im going to look into removing at least the 2 rear cats.
03-13-2014, 04:47 AM
#4
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Texas
Posts: 4
I would recommend getting an MGW short throw shifter to start. It's not that much, and it makes a huge difference in the way the car feels when you drive it. I could never go back to a stock shifter now that I'm used to the MGW. I also have 4.10 gears in my car, but I hesitate to recommend that, even though I like the way it performs with the gears, the 3650 transmission first gear is really too steep for 4.10's. First gear becomes the tire blowing gear before you quickly put it in 2nd to finish your burnout.
Great advice, thank you!!!
D2
03-13-2014, 04:49 AM
#5
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Texas
Posts: 4
Welcome. I just recently bought my first mustang from San Antonio. One thing I noticed about these cars is that they have 4 catalytic converter. So that might affect the sound of your exhaust. My car had dual flowmaster 44s but it sounded really quiet. Im going to look into removing at least the 2 rear cats.
I'll do the cat back and test and see where to go from there
Cheers.
D2
03-13-2014, 08:12 AM
#6
6th Gear Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 6,028
Most important question - What is your goal for the car? Second, what is the budget?
4.10 gears are a must. Do not listen to tracyballard, he/she is a fukking moron that has no idea what they're talking about.
Cold air intakes are 100% worthless on the 4.6 2v motors.
4.10 gears are a must. Do not listen to tracyballard, he/she is a fukking moron that has no idea what they're talking about.
Cold air intakes are 100% worthless on the 4.6 2v motors.
03-13-2014, 11:51 AM
#7
2nd Gear Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Texas
Posts: 268
Most important question - What is your goal for the car? Second, what is the budget?
4.10 gears are a must. Do not listen to tracyballard, he/she is a fukking moron that has no idea what they're talking about.
Cold air intakes are 100% worthless on the 4.6 2v motors.
4.10 gears are a must. Do not listen to tracyballard, he/she is a fukking moron that has no idea what they're talking about.
Cold air intakes are 100% worthless on the 4.6 2v motors.
still trying to get on my good side? I appreciate it, you are a heck of a cool dude. But, if you're saying the 3650 first gear is ideal for 4.10, I have to disagree. There's a tranny available, I forget who makes it, that has a 2.90 first that would work much better. The second gear of that trans is a bit less steep than stock also.
03-13-2014, 12:25 PM
#9
Easy, guys.
I love the 4.10s in the 99. I would pass on any cold air intakes unless they are connected to a turbo/supercharger huehuehue
I like my MGW shifter too. For my year it makes the cup holder functional and rowing through the gears feels better. This will allow more noise into the cabin such as gear noise (I can hear third, for example) though. Many brands of shifters will still be better than stock.
I love the 4.10s in the 99. I would pass on any cold air intakes unless they are connected to a turbo/supercharger huehuehue
I like my MGW shifter too. For my year it makes the cup holder functional and rowing through the gears feels better. This will allow more noise into the cabin such as gear noise (I can hear third, for example) though. Many brands of shifters will still be better than stock.
03-13-2014, 12:54 PM
#10
2nd Gear Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Texas
Posts: 268
Danny, you'll have to forgive Purp, he's been a little off since the surgery.
4.10's are fine, I like them, but I also don't mind using 3rd gear in parking lots.
4.10's are fine, I like them, but I also don't mind using 3rd gear in parking lots.
Last edited by tracyballard; 03-13-2014 at 08:54 PM.