I've decided I need to break away from stock. Since funds are somewhat tight, something like an entire exhaust system would probably not be a contender (although I'd certainly like it) due to being an overly-full-time student (but it's my last year, woohoo!), massively reducing my working hours, therefore massively reducing my paycheck. Therefore, I'm trying to find a mod that will give a halfway decent return for a low cost. I was thinking CAI because of its low cost relative to other mods, but are there any other suggestions? I considered a t-lok, but it's a little harder on the wallet, and that's a whole "well if I'm upgrading this, might as well upgrade that too" type scenario, correct? I'm open to suggestions.

 

if you were going for a t-lock you would want to do the gears too, sounds like too much money for what you want

if its a manual id get a short throw shifter you will love the difference

 

Well the general consensus is that a K&N air filter and taking out the air silencer is just as good as a CAI. Basically you won't feel any sort of difference in power for either one. Yes, if you get a t-lock, you should get new gears with it. Maybe since ur funds are limited you should just save up a little more and go with the exhaust. You might not want to be stock but just dont waste ur money on small stuff that really doesn't do anything for your car.

 

Well the filter n such in place of a CAI sounds reasonable. I'm not sure as to what the silencer is. My best guess would be that mesh plate in the intake, tho. I see it, now that I think about it... CAI = greater flow...K&N = greater flow; removal of anything in air's way = greater flow... same gains. However, wouldn't having a straight, smooth pipe to the TB make it just that much easier for air to flow? or does increased diameter of the stock stuff make up for it's lack of smoothness?

Tis auto transmission, btw.
I intended to make a sig with my car's details so ppl don't have to ask, but I wanted a nice pic of it first, and after each wash, by the time I find a camera, it's dirty again =/ and my phone's camera just doesn't do it justice. Would be much easier if I had a camera of my own, but that's money I'd rather put on my car. Anyways, enough off-topic rambling

Oh, another thing that just popped into my head... Lowering via spring cutting. In an article here, however, it says you should replace shocks/struts as well. Just curious... how strong of a "should" is that?

 

I'm not sure about the whole "smooth" factor.....i'm not sure if that matters much as i'm pretty sure the stock intake is smooth enough. The only difference between having a CAI over a K&N filter is well cold air. Either way, there won't be a noticeable difference for either. The CAI looks better under the hood.

For the cutting springs...did you look at Ryans article?

 

id say just do a drop in K&N filter, and remove your air silencer. itll be worth a few hp, sound good, and will cost you less than 60.00. thats cheap, yes?

 

ok, so I think the air filter will come soon then. Certainly is on a low budget, which I can't complain about Even though a CAI does look pretty lol
So it does affect sound? I've heard both ways.... some say it does, some say it doesn't

And about the spring cutting article, yes. Tis this one: https://mustangforums.com/forum/v6-1994-2004-mustangs/303398-how-to-lower-your-stang.html

 

the silencer isn't the mesh thing in your intake

it's the rubber nozzle that goes into your fender well

 

Here's a short list of things for you to consider both hp and price wise:
CAI - $169 (BBK) - 2-4 rwhp
K&N Filter/remove air silencer - $49 - 2-4 rwhp
Mid Pipe Back Exhaust (shop fabed) - $250/400 - 5-8 rwhp
Mid Pipe Back (name brand then installed) - $600/1000 (exhaust brand pending) - 5-10 rwhp
Gears/Tlok - $500 + $250/400 install - 0 rwhp, marginally better performance though
Tuner - $200 (used), $400/500 (new) - 5-10 rwhp, can adjust tranny settings to improve overall performance, and depending on the agressiveness of that tranny tune, perfomance improvement can be drastic (making your auto comparable to that of a manual for instance).

 

you can cut your stock springs and not replace your shocks/struts