[anthonyjl]

OK so I am probably one of the least mechanically inclined people on the planet and I have a barebones 2011 Mustang GT 6sp manual.
I bought the car with 5k miles on it about a year ago and I am wanting to slowly start doing some mods to it. I am looking for power gains mainly. The car does have magna flow exhaust and I am almost positive they are cat backs. Other than that as far as I know it is factory.

Where should I start? I am leaning towards getting a tuner and Bama seems to be the favorite. I have also read that most people seem to think CAI is not all that rewarding. anyway I am just looking for some solid suggestions from the mustang veterans and pros! Thanks guys.

 

[KONA11GT]

I say go with a tune from bans. Then upgrade your suspension ie Rear trailing arms upper control arm sway bars and springs and struts.


Sent from AutoGuide.com Free App

 

[anthonyjl]

Yeah, the tuner really seems to be a no brainer at this point. I'll see how things go from there. Maybe a larger throttle body or something like that later on. Are suspension upgrades that important? I am pretty satisfied with the way it rides and handles as of now. I'm just trying to get down the road a little faster haha

 

[Vindaloo]

This takes me back two years ago when I caught the mod bug. My advice is not to put anything on the car that you will end up taking off later to make room for more power. Although a CAI and tune is easy HP, it will come off when you decide you NEED a supercharger. Figure out who you want to handle your mods and do a lot of soul searching about the kind of person you are. If you realize that you'll never be satisfied until you hit 600 HP, don't waste time and money on the intake. Stock control arms are garbage, so that is a good place to start. If you're going to mess with the exhaust, just get the long tube headers and go with 3" pipe all the way. You will need a tuner for the headers, so make sure you get the brand that fits with what your preferred mechanic will use for the supercharger. If you are addicted to power, do all your minor mods with the plan that you will get a supercharger within a year. That's what happened to me.

 

[powerhogger]

Pick up an SCT tuner from American muscle with tunes from bama and skip any intakes and throttle bodies. When you get a tuner from bama you're getting the tuner for the same price everyone sells it for and tunes on top of that. Plus if sometime down the road you decide to go with another tuner, chances are they use SCT.

Work on proven mods like exhaust and gears.

You like the ride now but do you like how it looks?

 

[mmike87]

Skip throttle bodies and know that the tune is most of the gain in an "intake and tune" combo. I have the intake with the tune because I like the look and love the sound ... the factory intake is actually pretty decent and is a true cold-air intake already.

 

[anthonyjl]

I'm surprised you suggest skipping the throttle body. I have read about some significant gains with that. I really hope I can avoid getting the charger haha. I want a beast but I also fear they tend to break more often and as I said I am no mechanic

Sent from AutoGuide.com Free App

 

[AMWill]

OP,

You're definitely on the right track by getting a Bama tuner. There's a lot of gains to be had in a Bama tune alone. However, a CAI isn't a bad option either. It gives you a smoother power band and of course cleans up the engine bay. Also, another good option for a power increase is an O/R Xpipe!

Let me know if you have any other questions. I'd be happy to answer them!

 

[anthonyjl]

Unfortunately, it seems my area is completely void of a performance shop. I would like to see some of these mods first hand.

Sent from AutoGuide.com Free App

 

[Loud_Silver_5.0]

Mods on this car are endless trust me 3 months ago I fell into the abyss that is making my mustang faster and I can't get out.

What is your budget and what are your goals?

 

[anthonyjl]

I really don't have a goal in mind, I am trying to avoid going too extreme I guess. I have been in a 700rwhp car before and yes its awesome but I don't need to own something like that. I guess I am trying to gain an edge on some power and speed over the average mustang. As far as a budget goes, I am trying to keep my mod expenses around 2-3 k a year tops

 

[anthonyjl]

Actually I do have a goal, once I retire from the army and buy a home with a nice garage I want a 2013 or newer cobra! I will be looking for a lightly used one in about 3-4 years

 

[Loud_Silver_5.0]

I really don't have a goal in mind, I am trying to avoid going too extreme I guess. I have been in a 700rwhp car before and yes its awesome but I don't need to own something like that. I guess I am trying to gain an edge on some power and speed over the average mustang. As far as a budget goes, I am trying to keep my mod expenses around 2-3 k a year tops

I thought about Cobra also and for less money I can have a faster mustang....

2-3k is plenty my first set of mods total was only around that.... go to americanmuscle.com(free shipping and very competitive prices)

Boss Intake Manifold-499
CAI and Tune pack-659
Barton shifter bracket-69
Set of nitto tires and rims-1500
Lower control arms-200? I think
Set of Eicbach SPrings-$350

Total-3300

With just that stuff I am pulling a 12.2 1/4 with a bad 60ft time... I expect to go 12.0 or better this weekend with more practice....
BTW IDK if it was the driver or the car but I was beating stock cobras at the track and my car cost me $23k used with 5000 miles and I invested $3500--- you do the math and decide what is better for you

 

[anthonyjl]

Wow! Beating a stock cobra with minimal mods is pretty impressive. That's why I want a 2013 or newer. Those bad boys are 650+ HP off the lot. I have read a lot of great things about them and well...they're freaking sexy lol

Sent from AutoGuide.com Free App