Hey guys I am new and I have been browsing the forums for awhile now and this is my first post. I have made up my mind that when I am on deployment in Afghanistan I will be buying a V6 mustang. I really wanted a GT but with 4 kids and gas prices I really think the v6 is for me, plus I just test drove one the other day and I was really impressed at the stock power of the v6 and I know with a few mods I will be very happy. My plan is to purchase the vehicle while overseas using the military auto program (get cars that way hella cheap while deployed) and then buy my mods while gone, so that way when I return I have a stock pile of goodies to put on the car. Anyways these are what I plan on doing I some questions on some any help is appreciated.
1. Dual exhaust conversion / Is there really any difference between an H-pipe and X-pipe setup in regards to performance w/additional mods?
2. CAI w/tune / Best setup for money?
3. Supension upgrade kit / Shelby one or FRRP one?
4. Short throw / Worth the money or best to just change out the bushings in stock one?
5. Headers / which brand, seen some cheap ones and expensive ones, much difference between them with these cars?
6. T-lock / Does the pony package have this standard or w/any v6 do I have to buy the t-lock?
7. Visual Mods / Does anyone have pics of a CDC chin spoiler?
Thanks for any help guys. BTW, so many of your Stangs are just beautiful cars, you all have done such good work on them! God Bless and Semper Fi!
1. Exhaust: So far, I havn't seen any evidence that a dual exhaust on a stock V6 actually makes more power. Some claim 10-12hp with headers, but I'v not actually seen proof. And I wooner where that 12hp comes it. If it's above 5,500, there's no point for a daily driver.
2. CAI: After looking around, I ordered from Brenspeed. Hasn't arrived yet.
3. Suspension: I think you should drive the car for a while, then decide exactly what you're looking for. That will make the choice a lot easier. I'm considering Steeda lowering springs because they seem to have a close to stock ride.
4. I don't think changing the bushings will change much. The stock shifter is actually pretty good for average street driving. Not great, but pretty good. I'm considering the Hurst, only because I like the retro look.
5. Headers: See #1.
6. T-Lock: None of the V6's have it from the factory. You'll have to add that yourself. Considering the cost of parts and labor, it's probably cheaper and easier to replace the entire rear end with a take off.
Hey guys I am new and I have been browsing the forums for awhile now and this is my first post. I have made up my mind that when I am on deployment in Afghanistan I will be buying a V6 mustang. I really wanted a GT but with 4 kids and gas prices I really think the v6 is for me, plus I just test drove one the other day and I was really impressed at the stock power of the v6 and I know with a few mods I will be very happy. My plan is to purchase the vehicle while overseas using the military auto program (get cars that way hella cheap while deployed) and then buy my mods while gone, so that way when I return I have a stock pile of goodies to put on the car. Anyways these are what I plan on doing I some questions on some any help is appreciated.
1. Dual exhaust conversion / Is there really any difference between an H-pipe and X-pipe setup in regards to performance w/additional mods?
2. CAI w/tune / Best setup for money?
3. Supension upgrade kit / Shelby one or FRRP one?
4. Short throw / Worth the money or best to just change out the bushings in stock one?
5. Headers / which brand, seen some cheap ones and expensive ones, much difference between them with these cars?
6. T-lock / Does the pony package have this standard or w/any v6 do I have to buy the t-lock?
7. Visual Mods / Does anyone have pics of a CDC chin spoiler?
Thanks for any help guys. BTW, so many of your Stangs are just beautiful cars, you all have done such good work on them! God Bless and Semper Fi!
i'll toss a couple answers out there..
1) You are not going to see much of a performance gain going to a dual exhaust. The biggest gain is simply replacing the stock muffler. X or H is more of a personal preference... i went with an H.
5) The stock manifolds are actually pretty good... headers will give you some HP but for the price it's not really worthing it IMHO.
6) V6's come with an open differential. I originally put in a t-lock but wore out the clutches fairly quick... Was going to be fairly expensive to rebuild... for some reason a 7.5 is a lot more expensive to rebuild than an 8.8... So instead of spending money on the rebuild I decided to opt for the Detroit True-Track which is a gear based LSD.
1. Exhaust: So far, I havn't seen any evidence that a dual exhaust on a stock V6 actually makes more power. Some claim 10-12hp with headers, but I'v not actually seen proof. And I wooner where that 12hp comes it. If it's above 5,500, there's no point for a daily driver.
2. CAI: After looking around, I ordered from Brenspeed. Hasn't arrived yet.
3. Suspension: I think you should drive the car for a while, then decide exactly what you're looking for. That will make the choice a lot easier. I'm considering Steeda lowering springs because they seem to have a close to stock ride.
4. I don't think changing the bushings will change much. The stock shifter is actually pretty good for average street driving. Not great, but pretty good. I'm considering the Hurst, only because I like the retro look.
5. Headers: See #1.
6. T-Lock: None of the V6's have it from the factory. You'll have to add that yourself. Considering the cost of parts and labor, it's probably cheaper and easier to replace the entire rear end with a take off.
But, that's just my opinion. I could be wrong.
you bring up a good point on number 6... You can get a 8.8 take-off with gears (like 3.73 or 4.10s) installed and has the proper flange installed for the V6 for about the same as a t-lok, gears and install...
okay let me clarify somethings. I am converting to the dual exhaust and headers because I am eventually going to get a paxton supercharger. Also, in reponse to the getting the v6 over the v8, like I said I have 4 kids and the lower the car payment and money in gas yearly the better. Trust there is a big difference between a 28,000.00 GT and a 15,000.00 V6 (that's the quote I got from the overseas military auto program, pony package BTW). Also, I won't be paying a cent in labor for install on any of these parts. we have full service auto hobby shops on base and they have a staff that helps with any needs and it is all for free (gotta love the government).
I did think about just replacing the rear end with a GT takeoff vice the other route.
Ever been to one on a Marine Corps Base with MotoT Mechs who help out the DITY guys for free. You only pay if your asking for it to be done for you. in the two posts i have made so far here I have been questioned about what I want to do and my methods vice getting any real advice or help (minus a couple of guys), what gives? Is it because I am new or what?
Since you're goin g to be installing a blower, then headers and a a good exhaust will really help you. The X pipe has been shown to produce more power and be more efficient than a simple H pipe.
For headers, stick with a well known brand like JBA. There's usually a differance between cheap and expensive. You get what you pay for.
Generally speaking, long tubes are better than short tubes with forced induction. But I think with such a small motor, it won't really matter that much.
Get ceramic coating on the headers. You'll keep your underhood temps down a tad, and the headers will be more efficient. You should also consider wrapping the headers and the first few feet of exhaust pipe.
I've used the base hobby shop many times over the years. Got lots of good advice, used tools I didn't have to buy, and had a nice clean place to work. Such a deal. I still go there every once in a while when I need to do something unusual with a tool set I don't own.
Also, since you're going to add a blower, you'll be wasting money on a CAI and tune. That's $500 you could use somewhere else.
Since you're goin g to be installing a blower, then headers and a a good exhaust will really help you. The X pipe has been shown to produce more power and be more efficient than a simple H pipe.
For headers, stick with a well known brand like JBA. There's usually a differance between cheap and expensive. You get what you pay for.
Generally speaking, long tubes are better than short tubes with forced induction. But I think with such a small motor, it won't really matter that much.
Get ceramic coating on the headers. You'll keep your underhood temps down a tad, and the headers will be more efficient. You should also consider wrapping the headers and the first few feet of exhaust pipe.
I've used the base hobby shop many times over the years. Got lots of good advice, used tools I didn't have to buy, and had a nice clean place to work. Such a deal. I still go there every once in a while when I need to do something unusual with a tool set I don't own.
Also, since you're going to add a blower, you'll be wasting money on a CAI and tune. That's $500 you could use somewhere else.
good advice!
One comment... if you're going to do headers just do shorties... Long tubes mean losing the stock cats... the 4.0L seems to really sound like crap without the stock cats... no cats it was terrible... high-flows were better but still had a pretty nasty raspy exhaust note at 3,000 to 4000 RPM...
Well, it'll be a year after I intially buy the Stang till I get a blower so I figure a CAI w/tune will hold me over for the time being. Okay does anyone have a good opinion on if it's worth getting a whole suspension kit for this car or just getting the take off anti-sway bars with a good set of lowering springs? I am really green when it comes to the Mustang. I was really into sport compact cars for a long time, especially the MR2 so please forgive my ignorance. The look of the Mustang just has me enamored with it I really can't wait to own one. Thanks for the advice guys. I do appreciate it.
About the suspension, I have stock gt take off swaybars that made a world of difference in my ride. With the pony package you already have those, so if you want to change it, the only way up is aftermarket. When I was learning about suspensions, Eibach Pro-kit springs and Tokico D-Spec shocks seemed like a good idea, many people recommended it. The springs level out the car and the Tokicos are adjustable. You can ride smooth around town and step it up on the weekend for some fun driving.
The new mustangs have a nice shifter, in 05 it wasn't quite as nice, which is why I changed to the Steeda. I do like the older clutch feel rather than the new one (my brother has an 08 pony pkg).
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2005 V6 Manual
K&N CAI
GT takeoff sway bars
Steeda Sport Shifter
Rear Blackout Panel
Flowmaster A/T axle-back
Opinions on these mods for a 2008 Mustang V6 
