[Rakiura]

I recently bought a 2006 V6 Coupe with a few extras as it was a showroom demo (a few bits of the Premium package on the De luxe model).

I'm really stoked about owning a Mustang (being from New Zealand we don't get these there except for a few car club enthusiasts or returning expats who bring cars in as personal use). We drive on the left and Ford don't do RHD Mustangs. In fact all our Ford models are Australian Ford.

I'm living in Boston so the car has Californian emissions controls. But I would like a bit more mid-range lift on the highway. As a comparison, I also have an '06 VW Passat 2.0T (205hp) which is a turbo. This lifts nicely at about 60mph, and you feel the surge which is nice. By comparison the 'Stang rises more sedately without the feel of the surge on your back. I'd like to investigate a way to get a few more ponies under the bonnet (err, the hood) without the extremes of 300+hp (e.g. full blown turbo upgrade) to worry my wife on shopping jaunts.

Does any experienced 'Stang owner have some recommended modest priced improvements to maybe get me in the 260-280 hp range, with good mid-range lift.

I'm regretting not going the extra $$$ for the GT but, hey...this is a very nice introduction to this classic US automobile.

Rakiura

[GTRaptor]

Accelaration can be fixed with a set of gears: 3.73:1
Underdrive pulleys free some power.
Cold air kit
And a SCT Xcal2 tuner/chip.

[Rakiura]

Gears as in gearbox..this is an auto..
Underdrive pulleys? Where do they fit in..?
I understand the air kit and tuner/chip but the gearing and pulleys have me a bit baffled.

[pperin]

Originally Posted by Rakiura

Gears as in gearbox..this is an auto..
Underdrive pulleys? Where do they fit in..?
I understand the air kit and tuner/chip but the gearing and pulleys have me a bit baffled.

Raptor was talking about rear end gears your 6 comes stock with 3:31's The 3:73's will give you more accelaration but less top end speed. Many go ahead and a put traction loc in while they are at it since it is only a few hundred dollars more. This will delver power to both rear wheels instead of only the right.
The pulleys he mentioned are sized so that the accesories run a bit slower reducing "paracidic" HP loss. I have heard some pros ad cons on this but I understand that it's a good way to free up some ponies for the rear wheel.
I have my gears on order and shold be in nex week. I will post my feeling when they are in. Good luck with your new Stang!!

[Rakiura]

Got it. Thanks for the clarification. You don't have to neccessarily up the engine HP, rather you change the power transfer, and overhead on accessories. Get more oomph from the HP.

Is there any way to quanitfy the effective improvement; I mean is this a common method with good supporting data?

Very interested to see how you find the improvements you have planned. Keep us posted.

Rakiura

[pperin]

Originally Posted by Rakiura

Got it. Thanks for the clarification. You don't have to neccessarily up the engine HP, rather you change the power transfer, and overhead on accessories. Get more oomph from the HP.

Is there any way to quanitfy the effective improvement; I mean is this a common method with good supporting data?

Very interested to see how you find the improvements you have planned. Keep us posted.

Rakiura

Well some mods like Cold Air Intake and Preformance exhaust and tuners accually increase HP as do power adders like super chargers
Others like gears and pulleys just free up HP that is already there and used elsewhere. Anyone else have any corrections here feel free. Don't want to stear the brother wrong.

[Rakiura]

What sort of HP increase do you typically see from Cold Air intake and performance exhaust? I guess this has probably been discussed elsewhere but I'm a newbie and apologise for not knowing what I don't know, as yet.

Rakiura

[stlwagon]

Originally Posted by Rakiura

What sort of HP increase do you typically see from Cold Air intake and performance exhaust? I guess this has probably been discussed elsewhere but I'm a newbie and apologise for not knowing what I don't know, as yet.

Rakiura

Depends on the exhaust. Some single axle backs have been shown to add a few HP (~10) on the V6. True duals w/ an X-pipe could probably a few more. Better off starting with a CAI and a good tune. You could see anywhere from 20-25 rwhp. Best fist two mods $ for $.

[hamidlmt]

The absolute best bang for your buck is to get a handheld tuner, like the SCT X-calibrator 2, from a reputable dealer like Bamachips (his Race tune is inspired aggression!) or Alternative Auto. You have no idea just how sleepy your car is until you get a tune. It makes a great combination with a cold air intake... my 3 favs that have proven gains are the C&L (loved mine!), the Demolet Tunable Induction and the JLT. But, if you can only afford one, get the tuner first. And, this is coming from a fellow who did exhaust mods first.

[pperin]

Originally Posted by Rakiura

What sort of HP increase do you typically see from Cold Air intake and performance exhaust? I guess this has probably been discussed elsewhere but I'm a newbie and apologise for not knowing what I don't know, as yet.

Rakiura

Depends on the CAI some require a reflash/tune some don't but about 8-12 HP I guess. Unless someone here has other #'s