I just bought a 96 mustang convertible (i know the conv. weighs more, but I decided it was worth it). I don't want to make it into any sort of racecar, but I would like it to look and sound decent, and have a bit more power than stock. I've never really worked on cars of any sort before, other than clearing out the fuel tank, filters, pump, and lines of a 2001 kia i bought back in hs... so I'm basically a nub. I'm not new to fords, I've been driving a 1999 F150 for the past two years. The things I have in mind so far are as follows:
CAI (i found one for $80, too cheap to be worth it?)
exhaust (which i'll be asking a lot of questions about, since I have no idea what to do)
udp
mach 1 chin spoiler
that's all I've decided on so far, this is going to be my new daily driver, btw. I'll post a pic when I get it back down to s.a. next friday, my uncle has it in austin replacing the rear window for me for now.
Just for the record, it's a 3.8L v6 auto.
btw, I posted this in the general discussion area above too, then realized that this is probably a better place for it. oops!

 

if you dont have emissions go with

LT headers
Off Road H-pipe or X depending what sound you like more
H= old school muscle
X= Import car muscle

Force Mufflers from Summitracing.com (same as flowmaster 40's half the price)
2.5 piping if u S/C
or 2.25 if you dont

 

if its a 96 then its a 3.8 3.9's were only in late 04 unless it has an engine swap a CAI wont net you much if anything on a stock car IMO just get a K&N drop in and take the silencer off but if you want it go for it its ok to askquestions we wont bite too muchgratis on the car and welcome

 

thats your opinion

 

I was told that the CAI would help with sound a bit. Is that true? It also caught my eye because it seemed like something even I could do, lol. I've heard mention of removing the silencer several times, but have no idea what that is. This car is BONE STOCK, btw.
I was also thinking about smoking out the headlights or whatever the correct term is..but would it look ok on a black car?

 

mmm, i think clears look better on a black car...or blacked out. smoked/grey i dont think looks all that great on black.

as far as the exhaust, bolks was pretty spot on with it.

 

black on black FTW the silencer is on the side of the air box sticking into the fenderwell it just kinda pops off i personally dont like the sound intakes make sounds to rice for me but that is just my honest opinion

but its preatty easy to tint your lights your self you can do it several ways there is stick on and spray on and also you can buy housings dark but robab;y not dark enough for black but idk

 

I want the headlights & taillights blacked out- the question I have now is, will the lights still shine brightly if they're covered by the paint? I'd rather not spend the money on aftermarket headlights or taillights, I'm looking to keep my money for performance instead.

 

the CAI will make your car sound a bit deeper. youll notice it for sure

look on ebay and get a cheap cai, there all the same. i think i got mine for 37 bucks shipped. and all you need to put it on is a screwdriver and some wrenches.

exhaust i would go with above, that was pretty much right on the spot.

if you have the money for performance, i would start off like this.

CAI
long tubes/h pipe/mufflers, just like above
3 73 gears + posi
cam
tune

 

Deffinately go with a tuner module.