I have a stock 02 GT with about 16k on it that I'm ready to put some money in to. I have about $1300 to spend, I'm open to performance updates, styling updates, pretty much anything. I've already put money into the stereo, so leave those suggestions out. Mainly what I'm wondering things like: should I go cheaper on the exhaust parts and get a plenum? would 3.73s be better than a tuner? would I be happier with a body kit than dropping it 2" with those springs? Stuff like that.

Here's the shopping list I put together, and thanks for the suggestions.

Magnaflow Tru-X Pipe
$565
http://www.americanmuscle.com/1999-2...ted-xpipe.html

2x Flowmaster 40s
$164
http://www.jegs.com/webapp/wcs/store...53276_-1_10265

Mustang GT Cold Air Intake
$85
http://www.americanmuscle.com/mugtv8pocoai.html

DiabloSport Predator Tuner
$399
http://www.americanmuscle.com/diablo...-mustangs.html

H&R Super Sport Springs
$250
http://www.americanmuscle.com/h-r-sp...ngs-96-04.html

 

Good ideas. I would say instead of the predator get longtube headers. You'll get more power from them than the tuner plus you will have to get a special mid pipe so better to do longtubes and midpipe at the same time.

 

Instead of that xpipe *which will suck* nothing against magnaflow but get a cheaper one and use the money u saved for some 4.10s. Get some Flowmaster 44s, they are new and sound alot better on mustangs. I would look for a used tuner on this site and also save some money. Lower springs are good! as for apperence body kits arnt the way to go, I would hit up a grill delete and chin spoiler, and maybe get some racing stripes, or remove the spoiler. Gotta take installation costs into consideration unless your going to be doing it all yourself, and the gears and exhaust will cost a good install. Also on the cold air intake, You could just buy a k&n drop in filter and probably get just as much hp, but if you insist on the piping, you could get a cheaper no name brand off ebay and save some money aswell, you could always have it painted if youd like.

 

doesnt he need the tuner to calibrate his speedo after the gear swap???

 

Yeah, but gears aren't on his list.

InsidiousGT what are your power goals?

 

I wasn't necesarily doing gears, but I could. Just bare in mind this is a 3 season car, I garage it for New England winters, but do the 3 mile ride to work with it every day the rest of the year.

Also, Hulk99, you say I'll have to do longtubes when I get an x-pipe, why is that?

Don't have a set power goal, just a bit faster and louder than it is stock

 

You wont need longtubes, I have a xpipe and stock manifold.

 

sorry about that... i thought i saw gears somewhere... lol. gears are definately my next mod though. most people say that its the best bang for you buck.

one thing that i would definately recommend is getting shocks and struts with your lowering springs because the car rides horrible with lowering springs and stock shocks. i know this because they sent me the wrong shocks and i had to drive it for a week or two with just the stock shocks while i was waiting for the right ones.

 

I will be doing all the installs myself, with the help of a friend who has a garage with a lift. He also has a 10.5 second 94 Cobra, so he should make sure everything goes smooth.

 

No I meant you have to do a mid pipe when you do longtubes. Id suggest:

Full exhaust : longtubes, off road x (if you can get away with it), flow masters or whatever sound you like.

Gears 3.73s or 4.10s

Tuner (check ebay I got my diablo for like $200)

Later on replace your Throttle body and throw a k&n air filter on there. A short shifter will improve the ride as well as some minor suspension work.