So reading some posts from here, and different reviews from other websites, I've pretty much figured out that a TB isn't a great first upgrade. So for my first things that I want to do to my car, I was thinking the Steeda CAI/SCT Tuner combo from American Muscle, MGW short throw w/ Rally shifter ****, and I am debating between getting the smoked Halo foglights and smoked sequential tail lights, or Pulleys and maybe a TB spacer for my stock one. Would like the HP boost, but I still do want to do some appearance upgrades. Thoughts?

 

Correct, the TB is a waste of money (so is the spacer). The CAI/tuner is going to be your best first mod - any other mods you do will require a tune update, so you'll have that. Excellent choice on the shifter as well. Be aware that the halos/smoked halos are terrible for night driving, although I think some folks have put in HID upgrades and made them more usable.

 

Roush Mustangs look really good as is. Lights don't make you go faster and 99.9% of the people out there don't pay attention if you have aftermarket ones. I'd spend that money on upgrading lower and upper rear control arms or an x/h pipe.

 

A Throttle Body is definitely not a waste. However, it's more of a platform mod and isn't going to net for a ton of power right off the start! When you start to throw more modifications at your Mustang, a TB will become more and more affective. The added throttle response is definitely an added benefit as well!

As far as best modifications go, a CAI & Bama Custom tune is going to be at the top of the list. This is going to net for the most power, torque, acceleration, drive ability, gas mileage, throttle response etc..

I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any questions or need some assistance in the near future. Our Bama Performance tuning specialists are here in the building Monday-Friday from 9AM-5:30PM EST and Saturday 9AM-5:30PM EST. You can hit them up directly at 888.226.9764 and they'll get you squared away!

-Dan

 

Thanks for the advise. And for the number there. I was thinking the FRPP 62 mm once I'm ready for my new manifold, and do them at the same time. I think I'll look into things around the same price as the lights would be, and see what I can find. Thanks again.

 

Our Cold Air Intake is a great piece ... you will love the fit, look & sound!

You are making a great investment for your car & for your fun factor.

Best Regards,

TJ

 

If you buy a TB spacer, turn in your man card. But if you must buy one, hang it from the xmas tree so people can have a good laugh.

 

This, and as mentioned before, don't bother with a TB until way on down the line. I mean, cams, intake manifold, maybe even heads before you do TB, it just doesn't really need it until then. CAI/tune, shifter and exhaust, those are pretty solid first mods. I'm not a fan of halos on Mustangs, but I'm definitely looking to do some smoked lights myself. UDPs are kind of a waste to me too, but they do give you some gain, that's up to you, but check out the classified section as I've seen them go pretty cheap in there. I'd go for gears next if you want to feel something, and as others have mentioned, suspension is a nice upgrade. It's one thing to have power, it's another to put it down and control it.

 

So many people find that out after they make the purchase. Good on you for doing your research.
Good choices. A CAI and tune will really wake up your car and the MGW is the ***** best shifter on the market IMHO.
I vote pulleys.
I like HP. All go, no show, lol.

 

You did research to rule out the TB which will give you almost no gain but are still considering a space which will give you zero gain?

Smoked headlights are nearly useless at night, get the tails

Air intake, tune, longtubes, and 4.10 gears are the best starting platform for an NA car. Otherwise, supercharge it.

MGW makes nice shifters and so does Barton.

If you decide TB and manifold, go Ford Racing. Aftermarket TB's don't usually hold up. However, for the cost of both of those you can throw on a full offroad exhaust which will help you better and be a better platform for the future. No matter how much air you add, the exhaust has to be able to handle getting it out... otherwise things go pop. Plus they sound even more awesome.

I bought Steeda UDP's and CMPD's for $200 so I didn't pass that up. They've been sitting in a box since last summer with my air intake and about $900 worth of suspension parts...

For some parts, don't be afraid to look at the classifieds, Criagslist, or wait for sales. I have $8,200 worth of parts that I paid $3,700 and almost all of it was brand new.