hey guys
i just got a 2006 V6 and didnt plan on doing any mods, but now i'm starting to consider it. i dont really have too much knowledge on cars, didnt really grow up in a real "car surrounding"...but anyway, i'm looking to do some cheap mods now, seeing as how i'm only 20 and i still have to worry about paying for it, not too much loose change floating around. i was looking mostly into exhaust and maybe lowering it as well. just not sure how much it'd cost or which ones would be best.
Welcome to AFM and congrats on the new car. Typically the best first mods are a cold air intake and tune. Lots of options out there in the $500-$700 range. Search the forums, you'll find plenty of threads.
Just so you know how AFM works, as you discovered your car model has its own home, and a tech section dedicated to your car filled with the topics others have been (and are) exploring.
If you search in your 05/V6 seciton, you will find a world of information already laid out for you.
To help guide you, consider that the prevailing wisdom for mods is that you get the most bang for your buck from gear swaps.
Lower (higher numeric) gears will give you the best results for the least investment at an early stage in the modification curve.
CAI (cold air intake) kits run around $200, though it is a good idea to consider adding a custom tune at the same time. You can disturb your car's idle and performance if this is not done properly, so research this concept before spending your money.
Exhaust modifications to the 05+ cars are relatively easy (more roomy access than our older 99-04 models), but the gains in horsepower are actually rather modest, since the oe systems are quite sophisticated. To do this right you will be spending a considerable sum (cermaic coated long tube headers, matching stainless steel X pipe with cats and stainless steel after cat mufflers will run you around $1600+ installation). Your gain in horsepower will be minimal (about 10 or 12 horses). The reason most people do this mod first is to make their cars louder.
Luck, and explore those threads.
As the X-Files said, "The truth is out there".
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tripleblack
"You can never be free until you let yourself go."
hey, thanks for the help, really appreciate the input
but i was looking around and reading stuff on this forum and came across the MRT aeroturbine axle back exhaust, and i found that it's 225 or so...and i found springs for lowering the car would be between 210-260, but about installation, would anyone know how that would be, or if i can do it myself. as for the gears and tuner and all that, i've been looking into those too but for now i'm going with the looks/sound more than performance just now because i wont be racing it or anything, but eventually i do want to put some real muscle in it
hey, thanks for the help, really appreciate the input
but i was looking around and reading stuff on this forum and came across the MRT aeroturbine axle back exhaust, and i found that it's 225 or so...and i found springs for lowering the car would be between 210-260, but about installation, would anyone know how that would be, or if i can do it myself. as for the gears and tuner and all that, i've been looking into those too but for now i'm going with the looks/sound more than performance just now because i wont be racing it or anything, but eventually i do want to put some real muscle in it
This is a writeup done by 5.0 Magazine for the 4.0 Mustang V6.
Their numbers sound real, as do the prices they are quoting.
186 rwhp (stock) became 204 rwhp (modified) after adding a CAI and Diablo tune for Premium fuel (+3 rwhp), and then a set of underdrive pullies $+15 rwhp). Swapping on an aftermarket muffler added zero power, but of course made the car louder.
Dyno testing was constant and consistent, important when trying to see what parts did what. Few individuals can afford back-to-back dyno sessions under near-identical conditions every time they change a component, so its nice to have a magazine do this as part of their research.
From looking over the article, which includes some nice photos and lots of detail, the value of the CAI and Diablo for JUST adding power for the 4.0 is minimal. Since I use a Diablo with my 4.6, I CAN say that the response of the software (which is a seperate issue from pure horsepower) is enhanced. Many cars have engine management software that "hesitates" or "thinks" for a second after your throttle foot tells it to go WOT. This annoying trait vanished with the tuner. Tuners are also handy for troubleshooting (you can read and reset engine trouble codes); adjusting automatic transmission shift points and firmness; and adjusting such things as the car's speed limiter (set according to the tires on the car - if you upgrade to Z or W rated tires, you can safely raise this limit - otherwise, you will hit a wall at 111mph) and the rev limiter (leave this alone unless you REALLY know what you are doing). Resetting the speedometer for lower gears is also possible with the tuner, so these are handy to have for your car in addition to the slight power increase they can yield.
The exhaust costs I was mentioning would apply to a dual exhaust - a single exhaust would be at least 1/3 cheaper.
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tripleblack
"You can never be free until you let yourself go."
I agree on the CAI and tune. Also if you can find someone with their old GT mufflers, see if you can get the passenger side one. I saw dyno increses, on AFM, of 20hp. It also sounds very cool.
Hey Dude!! Welcome ! Warnng THIS CAN BE ADICTING!!!
I agree CAI and a tune are the 1st best you can do. As for the exshaust don't waste your money unless your going for LOUD. Find some GT take off you can get them on ebay for less than $100.00 and have a muffler shop do a dual pipe with H-pipe. I still have the single GT take off on mine and I love the sound. A friend was nice enough to give me his Gt takeoff's I will be doing duals as soon as I can.
Also I did 3.73 rear end gears with T-loc 9 for traction to both wheels) I love that mod but really worth it.
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2006 V6 coupe 5-speed
Tungten Gray/Black leather
Pony package, upgraded dash, shaker 500
3D Carbon hood scoop
rear blackout panel
K&N CAI , SCT Tuner, GT axle back muffler 3.73's T-LOC Rear......more mods on the way
i appreciate all the help, i think i might go with either the mrt axle back or mac axle back...single though no dual. and does anyone know a link where i can listen to the mac single axle back? i've found a few dual set ups on a gt, but none on a v6. also a question about the previous post...what is the 3.73 rear end gears and t-loc 9? what is it exactly and how does it help?
i appreciate all the help, i think i might go with either the mrt axle back or mac axle back...single though no dual. and does anyone know a link where i can listen to the mac single axle back? i've found a few dual set ups on a gt, but none on a v6. also a question about the previous post...what is the 3.73 rear end gears and t-loc 9? what is it exactly and how does it help?
Your car is stock with a 3.31:1 gear ratio. That means the d/s turns 3.31 times for every axle rotation. If you upgrade to 3.73 gears, the d/s will turn 3.73:1 giving you quicker response off the line. Trac-lock is Ford's limited slip differential.
low cost first mods 
