Hey Friends- Just went to an '05 GT, previously owned an'83 and '87, so I can use some straight forward better than stock upgrades as I get used to the S197. Car will be driven in good weather- MAYBE a pass or two at the local dragway.

Best all around (affordable) street tire replacement? UHP summers should work- no intent to drive in inclement weather. The stock Pirellis are worn at 30K. Would like to do better.

Affordable rear/ front rotors and pads? BTW, do we have to change the rotors out every time on these cars?

Lastly- the Cold Air Kit. Can you really run that BBK Kit without a tune? Prefer to stay at 87 octane for now.

THANKS!

 

I can't comment on tires and brakes since a lot has to do with your preferences and driving style and the fact that I don't track or motor-X.

A no-tune-required CAI is worthless on these engines; gains are about 4-6 RWHP and even the no-tune-required CAI's can throw a code. A good CAI & custom tune combo is good for about 20-25 RWHP. Even the 87 octane custom tune w/CAI will put you at or near 20 RWHP. The higher octane tunes produce a few more RWHP as you go up but also have different characteristics between one another. The tune is about 75-80% of the power adder. Stay away from the canned tunes. The Brenspeed and AM tunes are some of the best.

 

Thanks for the input NUKE.

Anyone else have some ideas on tires and brakes (rotors, pads)?

 

The Pirelli PZeros that came on mine sure are sweet! The price tag, not so much... I think you can get some pretty good performance out of some high end Bridgestone or BFGs for a hell of a lot less.

 

So far as tires I recommend Falken FK452's as I have never had a problem with them and am quite happy with them.
So far as brakes you could get some EBC brake pads which I hear are good. So far as rotors you could do DBA or Powerslot Cryo-d rotors
Lastly your CAI kit should be in accordance with your states smog laws if you have them. For example only K&N intakes have a CARB coding so far as CA is concerned with left me with the only choice.

 

I went with the Ford Racing Power Package, which includes the CAI, the tuner with the Ford tune, Ford Racing oil filter, and the stainless steel mufflers with massive exhaust tips. This package is the same one fitted to the 2007 Shelby Musting GT's and they were rated at 320 bhp. The package is also California smog legal and has the C.A.R.B. Exemption sticker. The tune will only work with 91 octane fuel because this is the one that gives you the most horsepower. You didn't buy the GT with its high output motor to put 87 octane on it right? Because that's like getting a Blu Ray DVD player but only playing standard DVD's on it. What's the point?

I think the Pirelli P-Zero's are good tires but overpriced. I would get something from BF Goodrich or Goodyear for this car. But any compatible tires from Dunlop, General, and others (except Michelin) would be just as good. The stock Pirelli's are not that good and don't have the best grip. They do last a long time though (about 30k+ miles).

 

The FRPP power package tune is mild compared to a Brenspeed or AM tune, probably by as much as 10 RWHP or more. And if I was high, delirious, diluted and insane, I too would claim that my car with the FRPP power package would make 320 HP. Too bad it doesn't. The only power adder in the package is the CAI & tune which again, is good for maybe only 15 RWHP.

 

Nitto 555's tend to be a popular pick. I went with a staggered setup. They have good grip for me and haven't had any issues. Drives fine in rain but I don't push my luck when it's wet.

As for brake pads.. I just went with the standard ceramic pads you can get at advanced auto. I didn't go for anything special. Mine is a daily driver and I don't take it to the track.

I originally went with the BBK CAI intending not to get a tune and it threw a code for me about a month later. I ended up getting a tune afterwards and I will never regret getting a tune. The only regret is not getting a CAI that DID require a tune.

 

320bhp equates to 272rwhp. You are probably making a little more than that. I had a FRPP cai and tune at one time and made 277rwhp. A Brenspeed tune brought that up to 287.

 

I'm actually not using the Ford tune. I had the shop use an aftermarket one because the Ford tune is hard coded into the ECM to make it Emissions Legal. And yes, I knew it would be conservative. It's from Ford so they need to make concessions to Emissions laws, warranty claims, and the lowest common denominator: the user. So if, say the wife or SO puts regular fuel in there the engine won't grenade itself from excessive knocking because the tune was for maximum power. It's all good. I'm happy to have 300+ horsepower. At my age, and especially during these hard times, I don't take anything for granted.