y2chuck

Here's the mods I'm looking to get for the spring for my 08 V6 convertible:

- GT500 18" rims with Sumitomo HTR Z II tires
- Steeda rear shock brace
- stack racing front shock tower brace
- K&N cold air intake

Not really after serious performance since it's a convertible, just want to improve the handling. Later on this year or maybe next spring I'll get a true dual exhaust installed and maybe stiffer springs. Anything else I should consider? Is this a good place to start?

MustangFirstCar

Gonna lower it?

I know you said you were not as much into performance, but a little extra kick can't hurt, right? How about a CAI and tune combo from AM? Not that expensive, but a great mod.

JCON

For wheels I would consider Nitto 555's and get 255's if you have 8" wheels. A lot of guys here and with higher horsepower cars use them for great handling. They're reasonably priced in my opinion.

For an intake I would recommend TunableInduction, JLT, or BBK. Also be sure to get an SCT tuner and a tune. It will be worth it. Really made my auto vert more fun to drive.

Also, another good option that helped my handling greatly and kept the car feeling solid and planted in corners was a GT take off rear sway bar. The Steeda brace will help but the sway bar would be better since you don't have one. I bought mine with new bushings and the mountign hardware for $60 i think. Braces stop flex, bars stop rolling.

The front shock tower brace will also start a war. some say it doesn't help, some say it does. in theory, it will keep the towers from flexing which will give you a more solid feeling. Most people I think will say it is an appearance mod. a custom fabbed brace that is welded on the engine bay however is nice. generally, to get the best ridgity and least amoutn of flex, you want a solid tie in to 3 points. on our cars that's tougher because of a pseudo firewall (not accepted as strogn enough to withstand the stress).

just a few ideas to get you started. i'd be happy to elaborate on the rest of my mods if you want to know.

X3xMONGOOSEx3X

I'll agree on the rear sway bar. I drove the v6 without the sway bar when I was looking, and it definitely adds some rigidity in the twistys. Also might want to do the front one.

y2chuck

Thanks for the input! Sounds like the sway bars are a better option, American Muscle has an anti-roll kit for $339.

I'd probably still go with the front shock brace to stiffen up the front end a bit.

@MustangFirstCar - I probably won't lower it yet. Want to budget about $2500 worth of mods and I definitely need the rims and tires since I have the stock 16". American Muscle has the 18" GT500 wheels on sale too and even with shipping to Canada it's way cheaper.

I'll probably go with the rims/tires and anti-roll kit to start off with. Maybe next summer I'll get the exhaust done and intake/tune.

Alec

Don't bother with a CAI unless you get a good custom tune with it (American Muscle, Brenspeed etc).

Adding a GT rear sway makes a huge difference if you don't have one stock. (the Pony Package V6s came with one, others did not). It's a pretty cheap, easy mod that you will feel. Just make sure you get one for a 'vert, since the coupe and 'vert rear sways are different. Having good bushings, like polyurethanes, with them also makes a big difference

Nuke

Absolutely. If you DO get a no-tune required CAI and then decide to get a tune for it you'll probably be sorry you didn't get the combo with the tune-required CAI. Why settle for 3-4 RWHP when you can settle for 20?

Alec

And you can also risk throwing codes without a proper tune

kevinmalec

Don't invest in a stand alone CAI.....as Nuke stated above, it is only good for 3-4 HP and you won't really feel much of a difference. However, if you get a custom tune, from AM or Brenspeed, that's a whole different animal! A great performance mod is a CAI/tune!!

Nuke

Besides, those tires will be begging for some extra power to help them chirp.