S10W

As stated in the subject I am new to this board. Also new to fords .. I come from a long line of GM performance LOL</P>


My girlfriend should be closing the deal tommorow on an '04 GT and I am wonderring what are the first mods to be done.?.</P>


Exhaust:</P>


Obviously I love the sound of a good exhaust, but what set-up sounds the best (also performs the best). Right now due to money constraints, new headers aren't really an option, but what should I do from that point back? X/H? Mufflers? Cut-out?</P>


I live in florida and we don't have emmisions testing here anymore (jacksonville) but I am not aure about what Cat laws are still in effect.</P>


Air Intake:</P>


I have heard that on some cars, contrary to popular belief, K&amp;N and other high-flow filters do not actually add performance .. what is the case with the '04 GT? And if the K&amp;N does help, is there that big a difference between just getting the filter and actually getting the whole air intake system? (like the K&amp;N FIPK ? )</P>


Fuel:</P>


Does higher octane benefit this motor, or are the injectors set for a low-grade fuel?</P>


</P>


This is pretty much where I am right now .. just want it to sound better and flow a little better. I know that gears will help, better heads, etc...etc.. but just for a start, what should I do?</P>


</P>


</P>

Dan04COBRA

You're right, air filters won't add performance for a 230 rwhp car...but a good Magnaflow x-pipe/cat-back is the way to go if you want all out performance and an amazing sounding 4.6 <IMG src=smileys/smiley2.gif border="0"></P>


$368 for the cat-back from www.rpmoutlet.com</P>

BLKSTANG9879

Start with the usual. Exhaust/intake/gears.

N2OJunkie

</P>


Since you dont have any problems with emissions laws get an Offroad x-pipe(with MIL eleiminators to turn the check engine light off)--they sound awesome. Get new mufflers ( I have Flows and I love the sound with the magnaflow Off road x pipe), get rid of the stock crappy ones. Get a new Intake (cold air fenderwell intake) like the one from BBK, it looks good (it is chromed aluminum vs the plastic crapk&amp;N FIPK). It comes with a K&amp;N type filter also. And lastly and I think more important a new set of gears 4.10 vs 3.73 as a minimum. The total will be over $1,000 including install of some of the parts (especially the gears, which should be done by a shop). Also if she is buying an automatic, get a 5 or 6 speed manual, AOD's are fine, but the fun part of shifting will be missing, also the performance will not be the same. Later get a Nitrous Kit. And lower the car 1-1/2 inches-all cornerswith a new set of springs, the stock stance of the Mustangs is too high and sucks, it is a theme of joking between Mustang enthusiasts.By the way none of this mods will void your girlfriends (yes, hers) warranty. And dont use high octane unless you have a Nitrous kit or Blower, it is just overkill plus follow theowner's manual where they recommend 87 octane only fuel.</P>

Eddie

About these offroad X-pipes... I also live in a place where there's no emissions "TESTING" But, what about when you take the car to the dealership for servus, go to get a inspection sticker etc. I'd like to get an offroad one but ugh... <edited><editID>Eddie</editID><editDate>37991.6529282407</editDate></edited>

N2OJunkie

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Then you keep the OEM H-pipe and swapped when inspection times come, easy as that.</P>

BLKSTANG9879

</P>


It don't take no more then a half hour to change it out. It's well worth doing it once a year, or how ever long it is in between your insp.</P>

Eddie

hehhewhat about when I take it to the dealer for oil change etc. (it's a new04GT so theyl be doing all that)and theyput it on the lift and..."Hmmm...HAY YO THIS ONEGOT NO CATS! CALL THE COPS!!" lol ?<edited><editID>Eddie</editID><editDate>37991.7668634259</editDate></edited>

N2OJunkie

</P>


Hey man, dont be that ignorant..LOL..I still take mine to the Dealer for oil changes and nothing had happened, they dont care.</P>

Eddie

lolI wasn't trying to be. Thanks for answering my ?'s. <IMG src=smileys/smiley1.gif border="0"> </P>


</P>


I can see that happening tho...with my luck. LOL</P><edited><editID>Eddie</editID><editDate>37991.7940740741</editDate></edited>