jermz

Hi everyone. I had a 97 Mustang Cobra that had a lot of issues. I did everything I could to keep her. She was my daily. I purchased her for 3gs with 100k and some problems that ended up being huge problems. long story short I ended up with a 2000 mustang gt auto in a trade. This GT has been really great. It came with some mods and is extremely clean. She has surprised a few people as well as myself. Now that Ive had her for a while I would like to start my quest for high 12s. Ive been doing a lot of reading on these forums and others and read that great thread about getting into the 12s, But I would like to here from 99-04 auto guys about their set ups and what they run in the 1/4. I am hoping i can do it without having to touch the trans. MY GT came with a few bolt ons already such as...

1. Cold Air Intake
2. TB and PL
3. BBK Shorty Headers
4. BBK X-pipe with hi flow cats.
5. Flowmaster Exhaust

I think she may have pulleys but I don't know how to tell. Ill post a pic of the engine. Also How can I tell what size TB she has. Not sure if its 75mm or 78mm.

Other then those mods I was hoping that some gears, tires, tune and a 50-75 shot would get me to my goal. I am stuck between 3.73s and 4.10s. I know people say 4.10s for auto but since i would like nitrous eventually I thought 3.73s would be better. So in the end I am just looking for some ideas, tips and to hear from other 99-04 auto Mustangs on what they run with their set ups. Thanks in advanced for any help.

stevenn1

I got a 2002 GT. I am seriously looking into a BAMA x4/sf4 Flash Tuner, you might want to consider the same. It will allow adjustments to retard timing for NOS and a bunch of other stuff. The custom race tune is what I am after. Some videos on YouTube about it. Other then that I got the basics; Flowmaster mufflers, MSD Blaster coils, Bosch Platinum +4 plugs, K&N air/fuel filters. Its got over 100k miles and has been reliable too.

jermz

Yeah the Tuner is a must I hear So I am definitely getting. Ill need it anyway for when I get gears. I also hear it helps with firmer and smoother shifts.

jwog666

you have underdrive pulleys, 3.73 gears seem to be ideal IMO, some like 4.10's but i find it makes 1st gear useless. i dont drag mine so i cant really say what it will take to get into the 12's but stock they run 14's, so i think you will need a lot more than a 50 shot to drop 2 seconds. good luck

jermz

Yeah I found a few cars online that are running mid 13s with just 4.10s and bolts ons so maybe thats a more achievable goal. lol. Just looking for a quick daily driver I can track every now and then.

Z28KLR

J-Mod valve body (Google for more info) and higher stall torque convertor, probably 3200-3500 ish. 100 shot N2O + dyno tune (or take your chances with email tuning, some people were just fine and others blew their engine), tires and some suspension (lca's and subframe connectors at a minimum).

jermz

So I ordered the Tuner and am thinking of ordering an Off road x or h pipe. The one it came with looks brand new and has hi flo cats. Someone told me id get more power if it were catless. So I may take the ones it has on now off and do that. I am hoping that with the tuner it can suck out more performance from all those bolt ons.

jwog666

removing the cats will gain 0 hp and cost you at least $200. spend the 200 on something else, here is some info from kenne bell, they do alot of datalogging on alot of different variables

MUSTANG CATALYTIC CONVERTERS
09/24/08
SHOULD I REMOVE, GUT OR REPLACE WITH “HI FLO” CATS?
In our opinion NO, NO and NO! Removing the cats is illegal in all 50 States as doing so pollutes
our environment. Ever close your garage doors and smell exhaust without cats. You won’t like it.
All because some “think” there’s big HPgains in them.
Most important, we’ve seen “0” HP gain even at 775RWHP (387.5HP per cat) with our own ‘05
Mustang test car. See “Header, Cat, X Pipe & Exhaust Tests” in Ford Tech section.
EARL’S AUTOMOTIVE
Also “0” HP(stock vs. gutted) Earl’s Kenne Bell supercharged 700HP“First Cobra in the 9’s.”
ST MOTORSPORTS
Ran back to back tests at 600HP and 700HP. Gutted cats vs. stock was “0” HP on their ‘06
Mustang.
KARL’S EAST COAST SPEED
827HPShelby. Headers, 3” x pipe and no cats. 2HP!
“Hi Flo” cats? Really? Show us your flow tests. HP tests. Our 1000HP air flow bench reads 407
cfm stock and 549 cfm gutted and no HP gain at 775RWHP. Besides turning on your engine light,
gutting or removing cats has another drawback - the exhaust gets raspy (noisy).
Still want to gut those cats - or buy some “Hi Flo’s?” We welcome any magazine to come to Kenne
Bell and test back to back on any Mustang - ours or theirs. We’ll hook up the data logger and
record back pressure, air flow, temperature, etc. and, of course, HP with and without cats. All at no
cost - IF it’s printed in a magazine. And we promise the tests won’t be skewed by changing ignition
timing, AF ratio, pulley (boost), x pipe, headers, exhaust etc. to increase HP. You know how that
can go. “Cats and a tune,” Cats and a pulley,” “Cats and cat back . . . “ Just a typical Kenne Bell
back to back cat test.

jermz

fair enough. Look at nitrous kits now, But im going order some sub frame connectors and upper and lower control arms.