LvMustang03

Hey guys,

Well I'm hear to ask your guys/gals for advice. about 3 months ago I hit a deer on the way to work. Luckly it only totaled the drivers headlight and damaged the driver fender, inner fender, and bumper. Because i've been tight on cash like most of us, I haven't repaired it yet. So since in 3 months I'm going to Iraq I'll start having the cash to fix it I decided to fix it and improve the car.

I have a 2003 Mustang GT Convertible, it's completely stock (except the after market Projection headlights I put on). So I'm figuring I might just sink about 10K into this thing. I have a friend that will repaint and put on all the new body parts and everything for 4K. So that leaves me with 5-6K to work with to buy performance parts. I'm going for items that increase performance and fuel consumption reduction (if possible). I'll give you the list of items I'm planing to buy for it. All I ask is your honest input on them. If they're useless or good or even something as a alternate that might be better.

Magnum Force Stage 2 Cold Air Intake System - 54-10282 $333.99
MagnaFlow Direct Fit Catalytic Converter - 93348 $894.99
Supercharger Turbonator Stage 2 $239.99
Magnaflow Cat-Back Exhaust System - 15717 $463.99
99-04 MUSTANG GT 4.6L 200 AMP ALTERNATOR 2158-6A1-HO $349.99

So far those are the only items I've decided to use for increasing performance. I am trying to find a electric fan and a high performance Radiator but have had little to no luck on finding a decent one. I would greatly appreciate any input. ESPECIALLY if it's to change a item to something else that's more useful.

Btw I am a complete noob when it comes to working on vehicles. So these modifications are what are gonna get me to be experienced with my car.

One last thing I'm also trying to find a rebuilt engine and transmission but have had no luck on that either. So any advise of a website with a decent price on them I'd appreciate it also .

Thank you for taking the time to read this and for the replies if any that I get .

hpwrestler220

alrighty lol.. you've come to the right place to ask for help

All CAI's will do the same thing, save yourself $250 a get a cheap cold air intake from americanmuscle or just drop in a K&N filter and remove the stock filter and snorkel from the stock intake assembly..

as for paying $900 for a cat, thats insane.. you could have a full exhaust for almost $900... if i were you, i would go with longtube headers, a shorty X/H pipe, and than that magnaflow catback if thats what you like.

as for buying a new alternator, your stock one is fine. why would you get a new one?

LvMustang03

Thanks for the info. Although most of it I don't understand (like the X/H and all... remember i'm a know nothing when it comes to car mechanics).

The alternator is because the Turbonator runs off the alternator from what I read and it says it uses 2.2AMP's from it. My Mustang currently has a Mach 1000 in it and I like my music loud and when I play it loud all the lights in my car dim out when the subs kick so I figure it'd be safe to put a 200 AMP Alternator in. If i'm mistaken then please tell me cause that's 300 I can save then lol.

I appreciate the info on the Cat, but what is a CAI? Also anything else you think that would be good to add to the mods either? I mean another bolt on item or something? Also any advise on finding a rebuilt engine and transmission? BTW the reason for the new engine and transmission is because the mustang has 146K in miles (was 135K when I bought it but the car still runs almost like it's just off the showroom floor lol). But I'm experiencing a few engine problems their minor so I think I should just swap in a rebuilt rather than repairing it when it breaks, and the transmission is just to be safe since I expect it'll start having problems too since it's got 146K in miles on it lol.

Nevermind on the CAI question... I figured it out when I looked again and figured out u meant the Cold air intake lol. Sry.

H0SS302

LMFAO at you wanting to buy a turbonator...

vanquish

If you're talking about one of those electric superchargers I would forget about it. It is true you can run a better alternator to support a big sound system or a lot of electronics. Wouldn't it be easier to wire in one of those capacitors in between your battery and amp to prevent your lights and electronics from dimming?

LvMustang03

I figured it was a decent addon for $250 compaired to shelling out 3-5K for a Supercharger. U know something that's a medium between the two?

H0SS302

You got a lot to learn my friend. Stick around here and we will set you straight. Send me that 250, ill put it to better use than a Turbonator haha. take that 250, and buy some Maximum Motorsports full length subframe connectors and get them installed.

Save your money on the CAI and get a set of rear end gears, save your money from that absurd cat price and get a tuner and install those gears.

jivepepper

Magnum Force Stage 2 Cold Air Intake System - 54-10282 $333.99/ Just buy a K&N filter just as good for 50 dollars
MagnaFlow Direct Fit Catalytic Converter - 93348 $894.99/ why? is yours bad? and way to much. Just get a nice off road h pipe pipe more power
Supercharger Turbonator Stage 2 $239.99/ junk and completely worthless, snake oil
Magnaflow Cat-Back Exhaust System - 15717 $463.99/ Not bad idea, but a little to much would go good with the off road h pipe though
99-04 MUSTANG GT 4.6L 200 AMP ALTERNATOR 2158-6A1-HO $349.99 why such a big expensive piece is yous bad?

4000 for a bumper, fender, inner liner, and some paint. Way to much.

I could probably get for half of that or less.

If you want performance and are new to this go to modularpowerhouse.com by the Vortech mongoose supercharger kit for 3900 and have it installed. Nothing else will improve the power your car better for less and a it's a complete reliable system. You could go nitrous but who wants to fill bottle to stay fast on a street car.

boduke0220

Dont buy that expensive cold air intake, its only worth 5 hp. if you really want one just get the cheap one off AM its just as good.

lol i think you need to do some research on what parts are, ctalytic converters just filter the exhaust gas..so its not doing you any good and for $900 you could have a nice set of headers ( about 20 hp) and hell if you get the MAC's you could get the magnaflow catback you want too, which wont add any power just sound...and idk if you need the alternator or not.

First of all, SHOP AROUND. look at latemodelrestoration.com americanmuscle.com stangsuspention.com and theres more ( check out the forums sponsors section) just because one site gives you that price doesnt mean you should buy there, find deals!

secondly, KNOW your stuff. dont just decide you want to drop 10g's on your car and not know a thing. hell im 16 years old but i know my stuff decently. research is key, and if you need help just PM me or someone else like hoss or dimebag or a Moderator.

third, make sure you know what you want your car to be when your done. do you want a street car? a DD car? a get out every now and then but still fast car? a all looks car? a car that can haul but doesnt look like it? its all up to you just make sure you know what you want, then research on the best most efficient ways to get there


Fourth, thanks for serving our country! it means a ton and i hope your safe over there.

boduke0220

oh and if you dont want a supercharger..look into cams and heads...or maybe learn how a combustion (sp?) engine works..it will help alot as well! good luck!