[Brandyn97GT]

So basically I bought this 97 mustang back in August of this year. the cats were completely trashed (they failed a back pressure test) so I spent some money replacing them. also I felt that this car wasn't loud enough so I put some different mufflers up to it to test the sound and ironic as it sounds the loudest sound I could get was out of "thrush"... I know its weird. So i bought them. I know it was a mistake. but now I have money saved up and was wondering what I should do to get a little more "umph" out of the car. I know its only a Single Over Head Cam but better low end Torque right? anyways I believe it has 2.73 gears and I am really curious if i should buy 3.90 gears or some comp cams to put into this car? anyways I do appreciate every response in advance. any feedback would be great....

[VinceS2K]

if the 3.90's are motive

3.73's, or 4.10's from for racing, imoshould be your only choices.

personally, go big or go home, (4.10's)

what else do you have done to your car?

[Brandyn97GT]

pretty much just brand new exhaust and BBK cold air intake. HAHA not much compared to my last one. the only thing that worries me about new gears is that this is my DD and i drive 70 miles daily at 70mph to go to work. I'm honestly just looking for the next best step to give this thing a little more.... either cams or gears. I don't know where to start. and do you think 4.10 gears would be fine if I'm driving this car as much as I do on the highway?

[Brandyn97GT]

and another thing maybe you can answer.... the exhaust has turndowns right after the thrush mufflers.... if i replaced this with full exhaust and went with an H or X pipe would this increase or decrease the sound?

[Everett]

I am putting in 3.90s simply because of how much highway this car sees... 4.10s just rev a lil to high for me and I like to be different.... Do what you want tho it is your car

[Brandyn97GT]

I'm kinda the same way. had 4.30's in my last car but I need something just a little more fuel efficient since this is a DD... last car wasn't.

[Brandyn97GT]

If anybody can answer me this... would I get more out of my car (since it is only the 4.6L SOHC) if i put comp cams in, or different gears? if i go with the cams what all needs to be done to make the swap? and if i go with different gears [say 3.90's or 4.10's] what needs to be done with those? i figure since this car has 130K miles i'm looking at replacing the seals, bearings, etc... any feed back is great. (unless its negative feedback )

[tfofkyle]

you would *feel* more with the gears (especially from 2.73s) but your car will technically make more power with the cams.

do a gear and look into saving up for a pi longblock. makes it much easier on yourself than rebuilding the thing. cheaper too.

[Brandyn97GT]

Awesome. So gears it is. Motive or Ford Racing? and now the biggest thing is 3.90's or 4.10's? will 3.90's really save me that much gas on the highway? because I read a lot of forums on this site before making my own account and asking the nitty gritty questions and from my understanding with stock tires and 3.90's i'm looking at around 2,3XXrpm at 70mph and with 4.10's I'm looking at 2,5XXrpm? so I'm assuming since my car has 22inch wheels I would be at a little bit of a lower RPM than that?.... And please don't judge LOL i ABSOLUTELY HATE THESE WHEELS BUT NOBODY WILL BUY THEM, OR TRADE ME

[VinceS2K]

also, please, for the love of god.
take those rims off your car.

they are beyond awful.

[Brandyn97GT]

HAHA I've hated these wheels since the day I got the car. TRUST ME. last owner was a vikings fan. (hints the purple, black and white) and it used to say twin cities all over it. but that's in the past. I really do hate them but I would rather drop money into getting off the line faster verses replacing the wheels... but wheels are #2 on my list of things to do to this car.

[wicked96gt]

do a PI swap with some stage 2 comp cams.

[Brandyn97GT]

ya but with stage 2 won't I be swapping other stuff just to get everything to work right? and what's that gonna run me?...

[Everett]

Cams are gonna cost a fortune for 20 hp more...I am going with 3.90s cause they pull better than 3.73s and I talked to a few guys here who have them and say they a fricken awesome.... Motive makes ford gears so I will be buying that brand... As far as hp putting in cams and exhaust will cost you the same as a used blower.... Shawn in this forum is selling his whole set up for 2000 if I remember correctly and you will spend at least that if you get a shop to install your cams plus the initial purchase price.... Corral has 2 guys selling complete set ups fir 1800 .... Check that site out too... Pm me if you want more advice

[VinceS2K]

but, even if you do get...hell, stockers like mine, i no doubt KNOW you will be dropping atleast 30 pounds.

can we get some close ups of those atrocities?

[wicked96gt]

depending on which cams you go with you will be fine. You will just need a tune. But you have to becareful because if you get a cam with to much lift you will need to notch the pistons.i believe you can go with the comp 102300 cams-XE274H and not have any clearance issues. Some one correct me if im wrong. With the new cams you will also need new springs and lifts i believe

[Everett]

K do the math used blower 2000 bucks for at least an extra 100 hp now look at alternative... Good sage 2 cams 600 plus another 200 for springs.. Notched pistons I dunno but off the top of my head 600 plus instal... Assume at least 1000 buck to have it insatlled for what 40 more hp.. If you can do the labour yourself sure but our motors are hard to get cheap hp from.... The 4.6 is tough as nails but difficult to get hp out of... A set of trick flow heads with cams is an easy 1500 plus install... A blower is the best bet on our engines

[wicked96gt]

Originally Posted by Everett K do the math used blower 2000 bucks for at least an extra 100 hp now look at alternative... Good sage 2 cams 600 plus another 200 for springs.. Notched pistons I dunno but off the top of my head 600 plus instal... Assume at least 1000 buck to have it insatlled for what 40 more hp.. If you can do the labour yourself sure but our motors are hard to get cheap hp from.... The 4.6 is tough as nails but difficult to get hp out of... A set of trick flow heads with cams is an easy 1500 plus install... A blower is the best bet on our engines

With the right cams you dont need to notch the pistons. The OP was talking about gears or cams so i mentioned a PI swap since for cams he would have the heads and all off already. He didnt mention anything at all about F/I.

[Everett]

I was just talking about being cost effective.. Don't get defensive... And a cam that won't interfere with pistons won't give enough horsepower to be worth the money spent... Unless you can do the labour yourself... And op motive makes ford gears

[V8POWA!]

Originally Posted by Vince's98 also, please, for the love of god. take those rims off your car. they are beyond awful.

bahahah! 1st thing i saw. sorry, but welcome though