[blister55]

My wife surprised me with a 2009 GT for Christmas, and even though we now have the new payment to deal with, it didn't take me long to compile a list of modifications that I want to make. I saw another thread where some members chimed in on a potential list of modifications and probably saved the guy some $.

Stage I
Louvers 250
Hurst Shifter 280
GT5 Pipes (FRPP/Borla Stingers) 550
Fuel Door 90
Antenna 17

Stage II
Eibach Springs 240
Tokico D Spec Shocks/Struts 525
Steeda Adjustable Panhard Bar 190
Steeda HD Panhard Brace 90
SPC Camber Adjusting Plates 245

Stage III
3.73 rear plus install 450
CS Body Package w/paint 1200
Agent 47 Mirrors 245

Stage IV
Supershaker 6400
Stereo 1250

I would really like to do a GT500 front fascia and hood, but I don't think the Supershaker will be compatible (anyone know otherwise?), and I am a big fan of a working scoop.

Am I missing any "must haves"? As a new guy I am assuming I won't need forged internals at around 450hp (?), and that so long as I stay on the street the brakes can stay (14's wouldn't fit my stock 18 Bullitts as fas as I know anyway)
Any constructive feedback much appreciated -

[Bopper]

Cool car, cooler wife, Congrats, Good luck!

[blister55]

Thanks - she is cool. She said she was going to Costco to get some pictures developed. 4 hrs later I was starting to get worried/ticked and then I heard the garage door opening, and a new kind of sound. It sure didn't sound like our Honda Pilot from the kitchen . . .

[hotshot]

What a wife!! Let me know where you found her, i have to find someone like that

As for your list of mods, thats a very good list there. If you are going F/I you might want to get some control arms in there to help with that extra power. Maybe some beefier tires and rims or just 255 tires on your 18" bullitts.

And your stage 3, are those the prices BEFORE install is added? because i know gears are going to cost you a lot more than $450.

Its just a little thing that you might want to throw in your Stage 1 but GT500 pedals look very cool IMO. And some brighter Sylvania headlight and foglight bulbs will make the road brighter and clearer for you and don't cost too much either.

Check out my list of mods, i have quite a few on there that are reasonably priced that you can add to your Stage 1 of modding.

As for forged internals, everytime you roll the dice when you buy a form of F/I. Forger internals help to handle the stress better but are not fool proof.

If and when i go F/I i am going to go the easier route and just purchase a forged shortblock for around $3,000 which is around how much your forged internals will cost with install and labor added to the price of the parts. And on top of it, its like having 2 new engines.

[jaja6009]

You can find the 5GT axleback for $300 if you look. I got mine for $300 from Late Model Restoration. Those mods will work nicely. Dont forget some interior(Billet knobs etc), trunk items(Floormat Detail Corral) or Underhood(Hood struts, strut tower covers, Billet caps etc.) . Good luck because my list grew from a small one to a large one.

[travelers]

That's a pertty good list. The only thing I would change is the shifter. I would go with the Pro5.0
Hurst seems to change owners every year or so.

[mrblorry]

Why not enjoy the car as it is for a while? It's brand spankin' new, right?

You can't appreciate a mod until you've driven around without it first! The novelty of each mod wears off far too fast anyway. Pace yourself. The car will be here in six more months. Well, you car payments will be at least.

[Bocephus357]

Originally Posted by hotshot

If and when i go F/I i am going to go the easier route and just purchase a forged shortblock for around $3,000 which is around how much your forged internals will cost with install and labor added to the price of the parts. And on top of it, its like having 2 new engines.

That is what I plan on doing. If some how you would blow the forged shortblock, you still have your stock (spare) engine you can swap back in. A lot of people after they go FI, they start with 450, then 475, 500, 550, 600........................ and somewhere in the the stock engine blows.

[blister55]

Oh I will definitely being enjoying just as it is for quite awhile. I am thrilled every time I start it up, and I haven't begun to even use 50% of what it is capable of stock. I am a fiddler (not as in violinist, but one who likes to tweek things) by nature, and I love the after market presence for the s197, and what an adaptable platform it is to make it unique and personal.

Thanks for the heads up on control arms -

As for the gear install price, the FFRP 3.73's are on the shelf at my local dealer for $149 and I figured $300 to install. I guess that might be optimistic so I'll raise that . . .

Can you guys tell me more about the forged block idea? When people refer to "internals" what does that encompass? Does the 4.6 block itself ever fail? I assumed the failure point would be a rod, but I am new to cars -

I broke my back on my motorcycle a year and a half ago (racing/riding bikes for 25 years - it was my fault but still kind of a freak accident) and now I am feeling much safer with doors, a roof and 4 tires . . . so in the car thing I am a greenhorn -

[tw0scoops123]

My personal opinion is reverse your list.

As your list goes on, the car gets more enjoyable...why not do the most fun mods first!

[Bocephus357]

Originally Posted by blister55

Can you guys tell me more about the forged block idea? When people refer to "internals" what does that encompass? Does the 4.6 block itself ever fail? I assumed the failure point would be a rod, but I am new to cars

I think the block its self is rated to around 700 hp. The problem with the internals is the rods decide they don't want to be inside the block when you get around or above 450 hp. You could swap out all the internals (pistons, rods, crank etc) and get forged internals, but buy the time you buy the internals, have your engine taken out, take it apart, put the forged ones in, and put your engine back in your car it is usually about the same cost to buy a brand new forged short block, plus then you always have a spare

[PLstang]

You should throw in some relocation brackets with the LCA's while your at it. Maybe stage 2? When you lower the car you'll want to correct the pinion angle. You definitely want to do that BEFORE you go F/I.

You should also add steeda Upper Strut Mounts to your stage 2. The stock mounts have a bad habit of failing and or making this wonderful clunking noise after the car is lowered.

You may also want to ditch the 2 piece OEM drive shaft when you get to stage 4. A 1 piece aluminum DS would help with that clunking your hearing when you shift.

I would also vote for the Pro 5.0 shifter as apposed to the Hurst, but thats just personal preference.

[mrblorry]

I know you guys are talking about some serious engine mods, so this one is lame in comparison, but I don't think anyone mentioned everyone's favorite mod! The cold air intake!!! Blister, this will add about 15-20hp and (so they say) will make a noticeable difference.

Myself, I own a CAI but am still awaiting the tuner and tunes before I can install it.

[tw0scoops123]

Originally Posted by mrblorry

I know you guys are talking about some serious engine mods, so this one is lame in comparison, but I don't think anyone mentioned everyone's favorite mod! The cold air intake!!! Blister, this will add about 15-20hp and (so they say) will make a noticeable difference.

Myself, I own a CAI but am still awaiting the tuner and tunes before I can install it.

Well if he is planning on going FI, the most popular CAI's probably don't fit with the Saleen since it has it's own intake...I think.

[blister55]

This is great info - thanks for the replies!

As to the CAI, the Supershaker would render it obsolete, so I wasn't going to go that route, though its tempting to do while I wait to raise funds, (but it would just put me further from my ultimate goals so I won't be doing it).

As for the list order - I can get the relatively minor mods first because they are less expensive, and save the biggest change until much further down the road, when I am taking the power for granted -