[AdmiralRev]

I just got my first Mustang today from Carmax.
It is a light blue 07 Mustang V6 with a manual transmission. This is my first time with a manual, so I'm having an "interesting" time trying to drive it.

Maybe you all can give me some suggestions as far as some pointers to look out for with the manual trans. Mustang?
I've experimented with a friends manual M3, but that is completely different.
I notice that the engine hates going at low speeds--below 10--in first gear. I was trying to just cruise around the neighborhood, but there are a lot of speed bumps, and I ended up just letting go of the gas to cruise quite a few times. However, trying to bring it up from >10 to anything higher made the car....stutter? I guess that would be the word. I had a friend rev the engine, and at around 4000 RPMs, the muffler would make a sort of popping sound.
Is that normal?

I'm also interested in some upgrades, but I don't want to void my warranty.
What would be some nice, relatively inexpensive modifications I can do to it?
I'm not really interested in very much outside body type stuff.
I want my car to have the flashy stuff where it counts, under the hood.

Thanks for any help you can give me.

[heavy metal]

Welcome to the site!!!!

[232-K7]

the popping is normal...how many miles are on the car? when downshifting, try rev-matching the rpms to your speed so when you shift it doesnt shudder like that. just practice driving it, you'll figure it out. and welcome to the herd!

[hotshot]

Practice, practice, practice.

Basic rule of thumb is:
1st <10
2nd <20
3rd <30
4th <40
5th <50

but once you get acquainted with your stang, you will know when to shift her

The popping noise is normal. I used to get it a lot when i had my new exhaust (FRPP GTA's) and was revving them to about 4,000 to show them off to my friends and family.

My advice with any used car is to take it into a mechanic and have him change out all the fluids and do a once over. Check the throttle body, the intake, the works! Just so you know what you are starting with.

Congrats on your Windevil blue mustang and if you need any help modding it be sure to send me a PM. I have a list of over 30 things to mod on my already modded car so i am sure i can help you with modding yours

For starters i say get a

Plenum cover (can get it airbrushed with cool schemes)
Radiator extensions (a must to cover up those ugly wires
Strut tower covers (those 5 bolts look terrible)
Cold Air Intake and a tuner (I have a JLT II with a SCT 3 tuner from www.tillmanspeed.com and they are fantastic. Give chris rose a call and he will take care of you )

[strongceltic10]

hotshot... you shift like a granny!!!
6000RPMs FTW
haha
but anyways, AdmiralRev once you get used to the clutch and gas combination its really fun to drive a manual!!

mods:
Welllllll.... basicall you should just take your engine in there now and throw it off a cliff... and then drop a v8 in there... its what i would do hahahaha... jk

---deffinately get yourself a TRUE dual exhaust, emphasis on the TRUE because, it gives you better flow exhaust wise
---CAI with MAF like Hotshot said
---new intake PLENUMS not just covers!!
---(are you into porting, stroking, boring??) if so, ported cylinder heads, your model is a 4.0 right?? i would bore it and stroke it to a maybe 4.6 with forged internals (pistons, rods)
---slap a vortech, or paxton supercharger on there !!!

congrats on the mustang
have fun with it!!!!

[AdmiralRev]

The only problem is that I'm still under warranty, and I don't want to void it by doing a modification that would constitute reason enough for the dealer to rescind it.
Anything that I can do WITHOUT voiding the warranty?

[tex117]

Originally Posted by AdmiralRev

I notice that the engine hates going at low speeds--below 10--in first gear. I was trying to just cruise around the neighborhood, but there are a lot of speed bumps, and I ended up just letting go of the gas to cruise quite a few times. However, trying to bring it up from >10 to anything higher made the car....stutter?

When that "shutter" happens your clutch/motor is pretty much saying "WTF!?"
With experience it will go away. I learned manual on my car and trust me I've been there

[232-K7]

Originally Posted by tex117

When that "shutter" happens your clutch/motor is pretty much saying "WTF!?"
With experience it will go away. I learned manual on my car and trust me I've been there

haha
thats 1 way to put it

[quinton_T_C]

popping is normal... a cai will not void warranty... you may have to let them install it though... tunes sometimes void warranties :?

[strongceltic10]

CAI... full exhaust system from the headers to the tailpipes... that will not void any major warranty... like drivetrain or engine or anything like that
plus it will give you about a 20-30 hp boost since you are freeing up your exhaust and allowing more flow and then the CAI will help
possibly fuel rails and injectors? im not sure if that would void any warranty... you can ask Ford.
i think basically if you put another engine in... or if you stroke/port/bore that would void the warranty... but anything else you do to it would be alright..

[shinerstang]

Originally Posted by strongceltic10

CAI... full exhaust system from the headers to the tailpipes... that will not void any major warranty... like drivetrain or engine or anything like that
plus it will give you about a 20-30 hp boost since you are freeing up your exhaust and allowing more flow and then the CAI will help
possibly fuel rails and injectors? im not sure if that would void any warranty... you can ask Ford.
i think basically if you put another engine in... or if you stroke/port/bore that would void the warranty... but anything else you do to it would be alright..

Do you have any idea what you're talking about???????

[quinton_T_C]

lol go with a cai and ask about exhaust... they will find a reason to void your warranty...

[strongceltic10]

yeah
i have been up to ford and well.. my warranty was voided already because i have too many miles :/ haha
but i asked them if you could put an aftermarket exhaust on and not void the warranty.. and they told me yes, and that for 70 bucks that they would even put it on for me shinerstang
but i said "ill just put it on myself" haha its not hard and i dont want to pay someone 70 bucks to do something i could do myself