Advice on my 1st mods to my 2003 V6 3.8

nicholasjackson · 09-13-2009

So I've been reading, reading, reading at these forums. Thanks guys for all the hard work! I've learnt a lot but I was wanting to run my first few mods by everyone, so any advice would be greatly appreciate...

This is my first Mustang. Love it. 2003, great shape, about 60,000 miles, got it for 10,000 on credit. I'm leaving the CAI factory. It has factory K and N stuff and it's good enough for me. I'm thinking about a few minor mods first and exhaust.

So I've read some different pullys and so forth can help. But I'm lost on that completely. I understand exhaust more. Here's what I'm thinking about doing. I'm not wanting sound, just performance.

First, I'd like to make it so it looks like it's built with duels. I'm going to see if a local body shop can do anything too. This is what I've looked at Xenon Ford Mustang Rear Replacement Fascia 99-04 - AutoTruckToys.com I need to look at the ad over more... I'd like to find something the right color, ready to go right on. I was a little unsure if the GT one will work as well. It notes that exhaust mods will be needed. I figured I'd buy one part at a time, and once everything is read, shop around for a price to have it all done at a shop. In a way, I'd like to avoid rear bumper changes. It's be a savings and allow me to move faster. Anyone here have duels without that looks good?

The exhaust I've been looking at is MagnaFlow Ford Mustang 3.8L V6 Cat-Back Dual Exhuast System 99-04 - AutoTruckToys.com

Could I with these exact parts, leave everything else factory and see much of a gain and be able to do later mods; and if not, what else exactly should I get? I hate to come right out of the gate with so many questions. Really love this forum and plan on looking around a lot more! I want to right now get an exact system and set up picked, links saved, pricing together, so that I'm ready to go. Right now with my miles low, I'm going to avoid internals and try to stick to mainly bolt ons type mods. Later, if I still have the car, I'll look more into forged internals and maybe a turbo or super charger. I like the idea of working with a V6 and making the most out of it. I may get an older model V8 when I get the money together. First, I'm working on duels!!!

3.9Vert · 09-13-2009

I found that flow masters have a deeper rumble than the magna flow. Especially if you go with an H pipe true dual exhaust not the Y pipe offered by magna flow.

The CAI will also effect sound. In the higher RPMS you will sound like a VR6 Jetta if you keep it stock. If you put in a CAI it will give you more of a muscle car growl in the higher R's.

changing the intake is probably the easy bolt on mod to the mustang you can do. It helps a little with some ponies and definitely with sound.

best mod ever is the Tuner from SCT or any tuner for that matter. IT changes the whole attitude of the car.

nicholasjackson · 09-13-2009

Thanks for the help. I was thinking about a H but everything I keep finding is a Y, and to be honest, I'm pretty new to doing mods. I've been around auto work my whole life but only recently become interested. Would I still see a HP gain without a new manifold with the Y? If not, I'm trying to figure out an exact system to order so I can start working on install pricing. I'm tempted just to go to a garage and ask them about putting it together.

Outside of that, I'd like to get a Windstar spacer and a few other things. I'd like to wait til I have more miles on my car before I dive into internals too much. Looking forward to getting an older model GT in the meantime after I do a few things to this car, which I'm having my brother and law help me work on that- he has four or five old cobras around he'd planning on working on when he can afford it, and knows what he's doing.

nicholasjackson · 09-14-2009

I think I'd like to just go ahead and do the H pipe- Magnaflow- with a new manifold. Doing so would give me the biggest gain and best sound, correct? I'm going to work on the intake after. New intake, spacer, and CAI- tho I'm pretty happy with the boxed in K and N. If anyone could point me toward a complete system and point out any errors, I'd be a big help. I've been searching for hours. I don't want to cut any corners on cost, right now I'm just trying to get an idea of what to buy to do it right and what will need followed up on at the garage.

Markstang690 · 09-14-2009

eh dont bother with the manifold its as good as it can be for the purposes you are looking at unless youre doing longtube headers

Playboiplay · 09-17-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by nicholasjackson

First, I'd like to make it so it looks like it's built with duels. I'm going to see if a local body shop can do anything too. This is what I've looked at Xenon Ford Mustang Rear Replacement Fascia 99-04 - AutoTruckToys.com I need to look at the ad over more... I'd like to find something the right color, ready to go right on. I was a little unsure if the GT one will work as well. It notes that exhaust mods will be needed. I figured I'd buy one part at a time, and once everything is read, shop around for a price to have it all done at a shop. In a way, I'd like to avoid rear bumper changes. It's be a savings and allow me to move faster. Anyone here have duels without that looks good?

The exhaust I've been looking at is MagnaFlow Ford Mustang 3.8L V6 Cat-Back Dual Exhuast System 99-04 - AutoTruckToys.com

If you do go with this rear fascia, make sure you specify that you want the V8 version (XEN4394) which has dual exhaust outlets for your new catback system.

Most people around here prefer Flow's for their exhaust but performance won't vary too much unless you compare pipes with different diameters (2.5" vs 3"). Performance wise, you are going to get the best gains if you get an X- or H-pipe with your dual catback system. Moderate (but still noticible) gains will be felt if you stick with a Y-pipe. Just remember that your exhaust only flows as well as it's most restrictive point. Meaning, if you have great flowing performance headers & a performance catback system but a bottleneck at your midpipe (Y-pipe), your exhaust gases will only flow as well as that restrictive Y-pipe will allow it to. Check out your local exhaust shop(s) & they should be able to fabricate & weld on an X- or H-pipe for you for somewhere around $200 or less. This, along with a new catback system will really wake up your stang.

Instead of the V6 catback system you were looking at, I would upgrade the midpipe & go with something like this if you're sold on the Magnaflow brand:

MagnaFlow Ford Mustang 4.6L GT and Mach 1 Dual Exhuast System 99-04 - AutoTruckToys.com

or this:

Magnaflow Catback (99-04 GT / Mach 1 / Bullitt) at AmericanMuscle.com - Free Shipping!

BTW: Neither of these REQUIRE a new rear bumper, but it does look cleaner if you have it.

nicholasjackson · 09-21-2009

Thanks!! You've been a big help. I picked out one and bookmarked it for now. I'll go with the H pipe. I was thinking about avoiding, to save for now, the fascia. My last real concern is if the car will sound alright.

Right now, I'm getting in a game plan together. I didn't realize for instance, I could use anything other than what was supposed to be for V6s. After getting down what I need done for the exhaust, I want to get an idea of what the bare minimum of mods I need done to be able to handle a supercharger are. That or a NOS system but I'm really not wanting that, unless I can figure out where that'd be better.