brian2416

Hey guys, just purchased my first Mustang.
07 Torch Red GT 5 spd . Actually its my first Ford. I previously had an 84 Monte Carlo SS. Anyway, just brought her home and she's got 6k miles on her, 18" AR Wheels, SLP cat back stainless exhaust, and a Roush short throw shifter.
I would like to do some mods to have a noticeable gains, and I'd appreciate any advice.

CAI: I've read other posts, but can I just install the CAI and other mods then take it to get tuned, or do I still have to buy the tuner with the CAI?

Headers: I'm looking at the American Racing Headers stainless long tube setup with X-pipe and cats. Any advice, or suggestions for other types ?

Gears: I keep reading about 3.73 + 4.10's on here. This car is not my daily driver, but I don't want to go too extreme, as I won't be drag racing her. I do want a noticeable difference without sacrificing too much fuel economy, or redlining on highway driving. And is the stock limited slip differential quite strong enough for my application, or should I look into upgrading that while I'm getting the new gears?

Sorry for packing this post full of questions.
Thanks for any help.

Balys

Welcome to the forums.

As far as the CAI goes no you don't have to get the tuner when you buy the CAI, but most of the time companies will sell the CAI and Tuner together cheaper than buying them apart unless you are buying used. So it really is to your benefit to just get the CAI and tuner package.

Before anyone can answer your question about gears we first need to know what gears you currently have. The 2007's come stock with the 3:31, but you may have purchased the upgrade that comes with the 3:55's. Generally speaking you won't notice a large difference if you have the 3:55's already and go to the 3:73's, but if you do have the stock 3:31's it might be worthwhile to bump up to the 3:73's. Some swear by the 3:73's and others by the 4:10's so its really just up to your personal preference.

Not very knowledgeable when it comes to exhausts, but I'm sure someone will come through and comment on that question for you.

brian2416

Just called Ford

I've got 3.55 gears

Balys

In that case like I said it probably would not be worthwhile for you to upgrade gears unless your planning on going F/I or hitting the track (or both). However it couldn't hurt to go to say 3:73's, but I don't believe you will notice a huge difference and the money might be better spent elsewhere. Just my opinion though.

abrush

Very nice car and nice color choice too! One thing I want to mention, depending on what type of cold air intake you decide to go with, some of them require a tune before you install them. If you try and run the intake without a tune your car will run rough because of the increased air flow that the computer isn't programmed to run with. Just one thing you may want to consider before purchasing.

brian2416

but do I have to purchase a tuner with the CAI or can I take my car to a shop and have it tuned instead, since I'm having multiple mods at the same time ?
will that do the same as the tuner ?

abrush

No, you don't have to purchase the tuner with the intake as long as you get a tune to accomidate the increased air flow. However, if you plan on buying more mods in the future it may be beneficial to buy the tuner and intake together. I know a few shops who will give you free tunes if you buy from them and also for any future mods that you decide to add as long as you order the parts from them.

gothamems

Well, I would suggest buying a tuner, I've had great success with my SCT X3. You'll need it for any considerable gain with a CAI, speedo recalibration with different gear intallations, turning off O2 sensors, depending on your exhaust setup, and last but not least reprograming your OEM computer to tues specific to different octane fuels. As far a exhaust, you'll get a million and one opinions here. I have FRPP ceramic shorties, a Magnaflow true X w/ high flow CATS, and 3" CAT back to Magnapacks, I LOVE MY SETUP! I also went from 3:31s to 3:73, I'm very happy with my choice.

onederful100

i would suggest JLT CAI and tuner bc you're gonna need the tuner when you do future mods to hold new tunes, and JLT is cheap, easy install and great hp gains. those ARH are a great choice. and it would be more noticable w/ 4.10's since you already have 3.55's, but you could wait on the gears and see how you like the ride w/ the CAI and headers first, since you can just recal the speedo w/ the tuner later if you decide to change gears.

brian2416

thanks for the info.
I'll be looking into a CAI + Tuner package, and the ARH ss longtube setup, and hold off on the gear change for now.

Now what about an underdrive pulley, cams or an aluminum driveshaft ?
Even necessary or worth looking into at this point ?