I have a 2003 touring edition with an automatic transmission. My goal is to have a daily driven car that I can race my cousin (06 Mustang GT bone stock) and enjoy the ride with inexpensive modifications. To date I have installed everything in my sig. Im now ready to start adding some ponies. I plan on doing the following in order:

1. Motordyne 5/16" spacer $300
2. Stillen Cold Air Intake- $200 - I think they would be more popular if they looked better, but I don't care how my engine bay looks, I want the most hp for the dollar and I live in Texas where 100 degree days are common.
3. Ultimate Racing High Flow Cats - $500 - I don't want the interior volume of the car to rise, so I might not install these.... has anyone found a much louder exhaust with these? Other options?
4. Technosquare Reflash- I have no idea what this would cost or of a good place to get it done in the DFW area. I just thought that the tune might be worth the dollars after I increased the intake and exhaust.

Well what do you guys think of these 4 mods in that order? Any other opinions? Keep in mind that most of my choices were made out of cost consideration. Am I going to have any check lights with these mods, or excessive noise, or problems passing smog tests in Texas?

 

imo dont bother with the intake....

200 dollars for 1~3rwhp if any just isnt worth it..
just swap for an 2006 airbox with a k&n filter and be done with it...
that or a popcharger if you want the sound for a much cheaper price

 

06+ Intake=$40
K & N Filter = $50
Total= $90

I can get a new JWT Popcharger for $110.

These are roughly the same price.... which would you go with?

 

you are wasting your money. the only thing you might feel is the spacer. I have done the intakes, done the test pipes/HFC, done the reflash... all a waste of time and money.


The grand you plan on spending would be better spent on things like a full coilover suspension setup, maybe a new clutch, lessons at a driving school, heck, even gas.

 

Damn, that sux. Well I guess I will make the spacer the first thing I do. Maybe when its time to change out my filter I will just get a new JWT intake then.... maybe just pay the car off.

My car is an automatic, so I don't have to worry about a clutch, and it doesn't take much skill to drive an auto. I know how to power brake... LOL.

 

these cars respond well to suspension setups, better wheels/tires, but breathing mods just don't do much. Paying off the car sounds like a much better use for the money. If you want more power, looking into a form of FI, or trading in the car on something with more go

 

main thing you will acheave with breathing mods is a unique sounding Z, as far as HP, well you'll get a little improvement but nothing jaw dropping. Get things used if you can, i've gotten a lot of deals with my set up and have probably a fraction of what people whou bought new have in theirs.

 

Personally, I would just find a good condition used 5/6'' Iso Thermal Spacer for around $200, get an used/new JWT Popcharger for around $100 and call it quits for bolt-ons.

That's what I am doing. I pretty much am set right now...next on my list is a PowerLab ST or a Greddy TT on a built motor(LOL). Yet again, I still have a desire for a TT Supra or a Terminator Cobra...hmm.

 

manual tranny is the best mod you can get for your ride :] take what these guys are sayin with a grain of salt...most of em feel that if you cant feel a major difference its a total waste of money...which isnt true. Butt dynos are notoriously inaccurate. HFC's are a waste unless you get tested. just do used test pipes, plenum spacer, a popcharger, an ichiba y-pipe, some kind of 3 inch single Y-back exhaust and then save for a Utec & tune. the y-back single will save about 35 pounds and give a little power with some good tuning. that auto tranny really holds ya back though...

 

if its an auto
gears would help tremendously if you plan on staying N/A
they are kinda pricey though

 

I like my HR. that responds alot better to mods....

 

+1 for gears. the 4.08's I have are great...i'll even race an 07 now if they want...*cough* shady *cough cough*

 

4.08 gears or 3.91 gears either will dramatically help for auto.

Plenum Spacer or possible MREV2+ Iso

Valve Body Upgrade

Rev-up Intake & K&N

Stillen Resonated TPs

X02 Exhaust

NX or Zex 75 wet shot

Utec

 

i recently added 3.9 gears...
absolutely the best mod i've done hands down, the car picks up much faster over my stock 6m/t gearing...i can imagine how it feels for an auto

 

I agree intakes are pretty much a sound mod and HFC's not doing all that much, but test pipes are 1 of the 3 NA mods (plenum,test pipes, exhaust) that make "relatively" good bolt on gains.

For a person only looking to do mild breather modifications, test pipes are pretty good.