I have a totally stock 2005 Mustang convertable and would like to get as much HP as I can without making a major shop visit. What would be your list of things I would want to do to achieve this.
Thanks
Number one on your list should be an intake and a tuner. This mod alone should add 20 horsepower easily. Bamachips (www.bamachips.com) and Brenspeed (www.brenspeed.com) sell tuner/intake combos from $525-625 and have wonderful custom tunes available. Tunable Induction (www.tunableinduction.com) has their own kit for $479 shipped (a price that can't be beat) and comes with custom tunes for their intake. The C&L, JLT, and the Tunable Induction intakes are among the best available. I've got a Tunable Induction kit on order right now as a matter of fact.
The next thing i'd go for is a new muffler or exhaust system. The v6 muffler is very very restrictive and replacing it with a better muffler can free 5-10 horsepower. Many people convert to dual exhaust but performance wise it doesn't show any gain over a good single muffler (except maybe on supercharged or turbocharged cars). Some people (myself included) have put mufflers on their v6's that were taken off GT model mustangs. They have a slightly louder sound, free up some horsepower, and are cheap (around $75 for a pair). Other popular brands include Flowmaster, JBA, and Pypes. Exhaust usually comes down to personal taste; what sounds good to YOU.
Those are usually the first two mods people do. Its not horsepower related but I recommend getting a set of GT Take-off anti sway bars. They'll help to reduce body roll and let your car corner MUCH better. The difference is like night and day.
OK Go have fun with your car.
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Black 2005 Mustang v6, 5 speed, IUP, EUP and Leather.
Razzi 1/4 window scoops, Mustang GT Sway Bars, Flowmaster American Thunder Single Exhaust, Clear Front Turn Signal Lenses, Demolet CAI, X-cal2 91 tune, Hurst Comp/Plus Shifter, FRPP T-Lock, Ford 3.73 gears
I agree with B.P. A good CAI and Tuner are a must,as the performance is noticeable right now.The exhaust is a must also. I have the duals with an H pipe and GT take offs along with JBA Shorty headers. Why that system?Because I wanted it and it sounds good to.As soon as I can afford it a Procharger or X charger is in the future. So I think you should have an end result you are looking for and build towards that.That way you get perfomance now with things that will also help down the line.Oh yeah and I have a T loc and 3:73 gears coming any day now. All building towards the end result.
1.) Intake and tune (I'm running C&L intake with Brenspeed tunes).
2.) Good axleback muffler (I got the flowmaster A/T for the v6, sounds very nice in the low end and still pretty darn good in the higher RPMs.
3.) Some go fast stickers... "Type-R" give you a few horses.
4.) A huge wing
5.) lower gears and a t-loc rearend. I'm running 3.73's with the t-loc.
I love the way my car feels, I just have to install my Hurst shifter to complete it. I do highly suggest the sway bars (but, don't convertibles already have a similar setup to them?). Good luck!
PS: DO NOT DO 3 OR 4!
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*1998 Ford Contour SVT* EH 2.5L Duratec v6
Stock as can be, just trying to reverse the damage the previous owner caused.
Great! That is a good starting point. Can I get a better air filter, other than the stock filter? Would that help HP at all?
Thanks for all the help....
Also, I am guessing that CAI means cold air intake. However, I would like to know more about tuners. How hard is it and could you go over the details like HP gains.
Also, I am guessing that CAI means cold air intake. However, I would like to know more about tuners. How hard is it and could you go over the details like HP gains.
The tuner is about as simple of a thing you can do. I was on the edge of being too scared to try it. Just read the instructions a couple of times and follow the prompts from the tuner when installing.
A CAI and tune is probably the easiest and fastest way to improve you car's performance. I started with a C&L CAI with a no tune insert. It was a good improvement in performance. Then I went with a Predator 93 Octane C&L tune and removed the no tune insert.
This took the performance to the WOW level.
I'm no expert on HP gain but from what I have read on this forum with a quality CAI and tune you can get around a 20 HP gain.
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06 Windveil Blue GT Premium, Light Grey Leather, Side Air Bags, Active Alarm, IUP, Automatic. All of the MGW Chrome Pieces. 20" Polished Antenna. Midwest Auto Plenum, Fuel Rail, Radiator and Fuse Box Covers in Body Color. Midwest side mirror inserts. MRT Hood Struts. C&L CAI, Predator 93 Octane Tune. Various Chrome Caps in Engine Bay. MRT Exhaust Tips. GT 500 Style Rear Spoiler. CDC Classic Chin Spoiler.
I am a very big fan of my gear and rearend setup. I did it before the tune/intake b/c that was the agreement I had with the dealership (paid for the car and gear work before hand). I definately felt the difference off the line and I have to be more careful moving around in first gear (gets jerky ). I can definately do some pretty sweet and long two-wheel peel-outs.
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*1998 Ford Contour SVT* EH 2.5L Duratec v6
Stock as can be, just trying to reverse the damage the previous owner caused.
what would i need to tune the engine with the k/n cai
i think you would be better off money and performance wise to buy a combo( cai/sct tuner/tunes) from one of the sponsors and forget the k&n. its gonna cost around 500, but its worth it for a better cai.
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goina hundred in a 55, and i dont know why..
some things were just meant to be..
05 V6 auto, torch red, basic,:cool: a few mods
06 V6 stick, vista, premium (g/f`s car)
2005 Mustang V6 Modifications 
Go have fun with your car. 
