2003 mustang GT. Miles unknown, but under 110,xxx because someone installed 4:10s before i had the car and never calibrated. Basic bolt on consisting of gears, long tubes, CAI, 70mm throttle body. Im stuck in a dilemma of which upgrade path to take, and would like any input if possible and would appreciate greatly.

I see a couple options (based on what I know) i can choose from. 1. Nitrous. Just install a 100 shot and be done. But, im almost scared to shoot nitrous based on horror stories and this is a daily driver. 2.SC. I see the as the best option, but again, im not sure how long these cars last daily driving making 350-400whp while SC. Last option that i see, is either porting the current heads or getting ahold of some better aftermarket heads, sticking a cam in it, pullies, then a good tune. I understand the last option will have the least amount of power, but should be more reliable compared to the first 2 options.

I don't plan on racing the car at the strip, just a street machine that isn't completely out dated and can be somewhat respectable. I'm trying to find the best ratio of power and long term reliability. Would a supercharger making 350-400whp be a bottom end time bomb waiting to happen?

 

Well the stock motor can handle 400 425 if its good. I know this because I added a Kennebell supercharger kit and made 427 for 3 years no issues. I then swapped everything out motor included and then went turbo now making 687.
in my opinion the best adder is the on3 turbo kit honestly it give you the power torque and capability to grow when your ready for more power cheaper than any supercharger unit.

 

I can only speak to the SC kit. Our ‘01 GT has the Vortech charger kit on it with Maxflow cooler...more details in my signature line...after being sidelined for several years due to time/money/life we have it back on the road. It needed the intake manifold replaced. We are planning to get it tuned, but it is a blast to drive, and the charger has been on it for maybe 40,000 miles? The car only has about 61,000 miles on it. But Vortech builds for reliability as well as performance. So, I don’t know if that helps...SC is definitely not the cheapest, and not the highest power gain...we don’t race or drag ours...has stock final drive...but you can hear us coming, and it’s fast...and I don’t worry about whether or not we are pushing the motor to the edge...happy to answer any other questions about our experience with it, but like I said it’s been on the car for tens of thousands of miles and I believe it’s got a long life ahead of it...many years of fun to come.