this is my first post here and i have a question and i was wandering if someone could offer some advice.
i have a 2000 3.8 5 speed stang and i was wandering what would be the best way to hop it up some. i dont want no turbo or no bottle and my price limit is around 1500 but not all at once and in what order.
welcome to afm. and your better off keeping it stock cuz your gonna spend more than 1500. that mod bug is a nasty little critter. theres lots of info in the v6 mustang fourms
__________________
35th Anni. Laser Red 3.8 coupe
Present- (sleeping) Repainted, Xenon scoops, graphics.Gt cut offs with H-pipe, 35th Edition Gt wheels. A chevy Blazer is getting me through winter Future- t-lock and tuner, possiable 4:10 gears.
welcome.. and ya 1500 will get u like 40exstra hp and ull be screwed say goodbye to all ur fute funds and ur chick if u have one. and ull work just for the parts... but id get ur basic bolt ons cai, pulleys, trottle body, plenum and manifold thats ur 1500$
Welcome. The mods bug is more contagious than swine flu. I originally thought I'd spend no more than $500 on extra parts for the stang, but I'm already over $2000. It is a fun thing to do to keep ya busy, so I don't regret spending over four times what I thought I would. I'd suggest gears, t-lock, lowering springs, cai, and a true dual exhaust. Depends on how much some things cost in labor, but that should be around $1500.
welcome.. and ya 1500 will get u like 40exstra hp and ull be screwed say goodbye to all ur fute funds and ur chick if u have one. and ull work just for the parts... but id get ur basic bolt ons cai, pulleys, trottle body, plenum and manifold thats ur 1500$
throttle bodies are pointless to upgrade on a stock/bolton V6.
also, our plenums are built into our upper intake manifolds, not replaceable.
1). Exhaust (consider headers, wider mid-pipe at 2.5", and a decent catback - I like magnaflow myself. In my opinion you don't need a dual exhaust because it's more for looks and by the time you're done you'll have spent most of your budget) Starting with this is good because it's instantly gratifying. Depending on how you do it, it'll give you a good exhaust note. I've only put on a catback exhaust, but since then I've been driving around with the radio off cause I'd rather listen to the exhaust note from time to time.
2). Cold air intake. You can get a custom (non name brand) CAI that won't run you more then $70, and you can save yourself money and put it on yourself (I've only watched someone install it on another car, but it isn't rocket science). I know that this might cause a stir, but I would definitely recommend that you avoid name brands, since you'll end up paying on average $100 more for the name.
3). Tuner. Both of the aforementioned parts are great, but a tune will help set it off. By this time, your car should sound pretty good, since these first three parts all help to enhance the way the engine sounds.
4). You'll probably be over your budget at this point, but seriously consider 3.73 or 4.10 gears. These are supposed to be the biggest low-cost improvement you can get for your mustang, but don't get them unless you have a tuner...You can jack up your car.
What have I done with my car? Well, besides the catback exhaust, I'm installing a CAI on Thursday...so take what I say with a grain of salt, it's just what I've learned from others through lots of questions and research.
i mostly agree with IrishFarmer.. only thing i want to add is you should get a t-lock and install that at the same time along with gears... also consider longtube headers and accompanying exhaust..
Follow GET IT: Gears (3.73 for manual, 4.10 for auto- $170) Exhaust (custom true duals or a GT catback with GT take off- $350-500) T-lock (7.5" from Ford Racing- $220) Intake (Cold air intake -$70) Tuner (SCT SF3 is a great tuner $370)
__________________
'01 Silver V6 5-Speed Show:17x8 Anthracite Bullitts w/Kumho 255-45s, spoiler, smoked headlights and fog lights, black LED 3rd brake light, Mach1 grill delete, Mach1 chin spoiler, splash guards, Hurst badge, chrome exhaust tips, carbon fiber bumper inserts, 8" antenna, black hood stripe, 232 badges, Ford Racing license plate frame (in the box: hood scoop, rocker stripes) Go: Divorced dual exhaust w/Original 40's, AM CAI, Hurst shifter, SCT 91+ Tuned
i got more help on that then what i was expecting thanks a lot. my second delima is which is the best sites to order from. i look at ford racin and musclecar.com i dont know any more besides magazines. i can spend more than 1500 i was tring to set a limit bad part is cant spend a lot at a time .thanks for the help
oh yeah. i have a stock exhaust and its dumped it sounds perfect it pers just right and its not to loud. i would like to swap it out so it would breath easier but im affraid that it just wouldnt sound the same. if i changed anything would it sound different
Im new here and in seek of opinions 
to AFM !
I originally thought I'd spend no more than $500 on extra parts for the stang, but I'm already over $2000. It is a fun thing to do to keep ya busy, so I don't regret spending over four times what I thought I would. I'd suggest gears, t-lock, lowering springs, cai, and a true dual exhaust. Depends on how much some things cost in labor, but that should be around $1500.
/
