Cheap performance upgrades for a GT?

AirMan89 · September 5th, 2011, 02:37 PM

I was curious if there are any cheap performance upgrades for small increases in horsepower for the GTs? Ive cleaned out the intake, throttlebody, etc. but i was wondering if anyone knows of any other ways to increase a few horses.

stang0246l · September 5th, 2011, 02:41 PM

gears are the best thing to start with, no increase in hp but best mod for the money

AirMan89 · September 5th, 2011, 02:42 PM

the 4:10 gears? how hard is the replace?

Shelbydog! · September 5th, 2011, 02:43 PM

Take out wallet, pay shop, done.

nileppezdel77! · September 5th, 2011, 03:04 PM

500 for parts and labor typically. It's not "cheap" but it's certainly more cheap than any real performance upgrade. Alternatively, a good tune costs about the same and can wake up the car as well. I got a dyno tune and went from 215whp to 241. One of the better $500 performance upgrades.

Eagle2000GT · September 5th, 2011, 03:13 PM

You may already have an aftermarket cold air intake. But to get the same results (a couple of horsepower), you can take off the silencer and put on a K&N filter. This will save you in the long run as well because you won't have to buy any more air filters.

Depending on where you live, the next most inexpensive mod is an off-road mid-pipe (illegal in all 50 states but a lot of states do not have inspections). You will need to run mil-eliminators to trick your ECU into thinking the rear O2 sensors are reporting the correct data. This mod is not suitable for all people.

Gears may or may not be considered inexpensive. Depending on where you live it will be $400-600 installed and they will most likely lower your gas mileage a little. They also make your speedometer off so you will need a handheld tuner or a speedcalc to correct it.

A handheld tuner tuner is a good investment. It allows you to load a 93 octane tune as well as correct for gears and tire sizes. It also allows you to turn off the rear 02 sensors.

wtfcrunch · September 5th, 2011, 04:17 PM

How do you define 'cheap'?

Cabikejumper · September 5th, 2011, 05:50 PM

Handheld tuner
Gears
N20 kit

slikirish · September 5th, 2011, 07:05 PM

Had I done my research on how expensive it is to even get 10rwhp out of these cars, I may have started with a different platform. I love my car, the look, the sound, all of it, but it is so expensive to get any real power gains. You're basically restricted to FI to see any big difference and that isn't cheap.

Gears definitely gave me the biggest seat of the pants increase and didn't hurt my MPGs at all. But the CAI, mid-pipe, catback, TB and plenum that I have done maybe gave me 10-12 HP total combined. The exhaust was mainly chosen for sound. The TB and plenum helped with throttle response. CAI was basically for the look and it did make the car sound a little deeper.

If you're wanting big power gains then take this as solid advice. Throw some exhaust on that sounds the way you want it. A mustang shouldn't be quiet. Throw gears at it for a to temporarily satisfy your speed need. Then just save and save for either F.I., No2 or heads/cams. Don't waste money on the small things like I've done.

wtfcrunch · September 5th, 2011, 07:36 PM

Or...... Do a ton of suspension work and out handle everyone.

mbtech · September 5th, 2011, 07:40 PM

Originally Posted by wtfcrunch

Or...... Do a ton of suspension work and out handle everyone.

And a set of 4.10 gears

Matt86 · September 5th, 2011, 07:44 PM

+1 for gears

slikirish · September 5th, 2011, 07:46 PM

Suspension is a good way to liven up the car, same with a good set of tires, but that's not what the OP asked for. He asked about HP. Gears don't add horsepower either, but they at least give the illusion of adding HP.

zinsavage123 · September 5th, 2011, 08:59 PM

not sure what you consider cheap? but the o/rxpipe is the best and CHEAPEST bolt on imo. I only paid a 150 If I remember correctly for it brand new from UPR

AirMan89 · September 5th, 2011, 09:03 PM

thanks for all of the responses.. im looking at throwing 1k or under in the car to make it a bit faster (horsepower or gears) I think ill go ahead and start out with throwing the 4:10 gears in and maybe headers.. any recommendations on where to shop for the 4:10 gears?

stang0246l · September 5th, 2011, 09:15 PM

Originally Posted by AirMan89

thanks for all of the responses.. im looking at throwing 1k or under in the car to make it a bit faster (horsepower or gears) I think ill go ahead and start out with throwing the 4:10 gears in and maybe headers.. any recommendations on where to shop for the 4:10 gears?

you would be a lot better off with an off road h or x pipe rather than headers if your on a budget. headers arent going to do much unless you get long tubes then u would need a different mid pipe anyways

slikirish · September 5th, 2011, 10:43 PM

Originally Posted by stang0246l

you would be a lot better off with an off road h or x pipe rather than headers if your on a budget. headers arent going to do much unless you get long tubes then u would need a different mid pipe anyways

+1

Headers aren't worth the time, hassle, or money until your pushing a good amount over stock power levels.

Eagle2000GT · September 5th, 2011, 11:27 PM

If you are going to do gears first then get a handheld tuner. A 93 octane tune will get you more than headers. Headers are expensive, hard to install, and they will get you maybe 5-7 rwhp.

Steve03GT · September 6th, 2011, 12:26 AM

CHEAP FAST RELIABLE

Pick Two

fordx316 · September 6th, 2011, 01:56 AM

If its a stick, a short throw shifter will make it a little more fun and sporty to drive, and faster shifts.

September 5th, 2011, 02:37 PM	#1
AirMan89 Regular 2003 Mustang GT Convertib Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 310 iTrader: 0 reviews	Cheap performance upgrades for a GT? I was curious if there are any cheap performance upgrades for small increases in horsepower for the GTs? Ive cleaned out the intake, throttlebody, etc. but i was wondering if anyone knows of any other ways to increase a few horses.

September 5th, 2011, 02:43 PM	#4
Shelbydog! MM sticker peddler slowmatic Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: OK Posts: 1,779 iTrader: 4 reviews	Take out wallet, pay shop, done. __________________ Visit this thread, more stickers possible coming soon! http://www.moddedmustangs.com/forums/clubhouse/263411-gauging-interest-more-new-mm-sticker.html

September 5th, 2011, 03:04 PM	#5
nileppezdel77! Nile P. Pezdel of Pez Dispenser Inc. CCA 2001 Mustang GT Vert Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Brooklyn Posts: 4,271 iTrader: 3 reviews	500 for parts and labor typically. It's not "cheap" but it's certainly more cheap than any real performance upgrade. Alternatively, a good tune costs about the same and can wake up the car as well. I got a dyno tune and went from 215whp to 241. One of the better $500 performance upgrades. __________________ SOME MODDED MUSTANG CREW

September 5th, 2011, 03:13 PM	#6
Eagle2000GT I Post Entirely Way Too Much 2000 Mustang GT 12.73@111.36 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Shelbyville, IN Posts: 5,311 iTrader: 1 reviews	You may already have an aftermarket cold air intake. But to get the same results (a couple of horsepower), you can take off the silencer and put on a K&N filter. This will save you in the long run as well because you won't have to buy any more air filters. Depending on where you live, the next most inexpensive mod is an off-road mid-pipe (illegal in all 50 states but a lot of states do not have inspections). You will need to run mil-eliminators to trick your ECU into thinking the rear O2 sensors are reporting the correct data. This mod is not suitable for all people. Gears may or may not be considered inexpensive. Depending on where you live it will be $400-600 installed and they will most likely lower your gas mileage a little. They also make your speedometer off so you will need a handheld tuner or a speedcalc to correct it. A handheld tuner tuner is a good investment. It allows you to load a 93 octane tune as well as correct for gears and tire sizes. It also allows you to turn off the rear 02 sensors. __________________ ProCharger P-1SC, 9 psi, STD 396/383; Uncorrected 388/375; SAE 383/370 Mods list in Garage.

September 5th, 2011, 04:17 PM	#7
wtfcrunch Hardcore Enthusiast 2003 Mustang GT Prem Conv Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Gloucester, VA Posts: 1,212 iTrader: 0 reviews	How do you define 'cheap'? __________________ BURN RUBBER NOT YOUR SOUL TylerL idgafMustangClub

September 5th, 2011, 02:41 PM	#2
stang0246l Regular Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 466 iTrader: 0 reviews	gears are the best thing to start with, no increase in hp but best mod for the money

September 5th, 2011, 02:42 PM	#3
AirMan89 Regular 2003 Mustang GT Convertib Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 310 iTrader: 0 reviews	the 4:10 gears? how hard is the replace?

September 5th, 2011, 07:05 PM	#9
slikirish Hardcore Enthusiast 2004 Mustang GT 5spd Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Wooster, OH Posts: 2,679 iTrader: 0 reviews	Had I done my research on how expensive it is to even get 10rwhp out of these cars, I may have started with a different platform. I love my car, the look, the sound, all of it, but it is so expensive to get any real power gains. You're basically restricted to FI to see any big difference and that isn't cheap. Gears definitely gave me the biggest seat of the pants increase and didn't hurt my MPGs at all. But the CAI, mid-pipe, catback, TB and plenum that I have done maybe gave me 10-12 HP total combined. The exhaust was mainly chosen for sound. The TB and plenum helped with throttle response. CAI was basically for the look and it did make the car sound a little deeper. If you're wanting big power gains then take this as solid advice. Throw some exhaust on that sounds the way you want it. A mustang shouldn't be quiet. Throw gears at it for a to temporarily satisfy your speed need. Then just save and save for either F.I., No2 or heads/cams. Don't waste money on the small things like I've done. __________________ Mods in Garage

September 5th, 2011, 07:36 PM	#10
wtfcrunch Hardcore Enthusiast 2003 Mustang GT Prem Conv Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Gloucester, VA Posts: 1,212 iTrader: 0 reviews	Or...... Do a ton of suspension work and out handle everyone. __________________ BURN RUBBER NOT YOUR SOUL TylerL idgafMustangClub

September 5th, 2011, 07:44 PM	#12
Matt86 Hardcore Enthusiast 03 GT Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: GA Posts: 1,701 iTrader: 4 reviews	+1 for gears __________________ Vortech v2 si-TiAl Q- CXRacing- still need MAF

September 5th, 2011, 07:46 PM	#13
slikirish Hardcore Enthusiast 2004 Mustang GT 5spd Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Wooster, OH Posts: 2,679 iTrader: 0 reviews	Suspension is a good way to liven up the car, same with a good set of tires, but that's not what the OP asked for. He asked about HP. Gears don't add horsepower either, but they at least give the illusion of adding HP. __________________ Mods in Garage

September 5th, 2011, 08:59 PM	#14
zinsavage123 Hardcore Enthusiast 2001 Mustang GT 12.33@111.23mph Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: baltimore, md Posts: 1,422 iTrader: 3 reviews	not sure what you consider cheap? but the o/rxpipe is the best and CHEAPEST bolt on imo. I only paid a 150 If I remember correctly for it brand new from UPR __________________ 2001 Mustang GT - mods+pics in garage, tuned by matt@performance evolution 1996 Civic DX - my dd

September 5th, 2011, 09:03 PM	#15
AirMan89 Regular 2003 Mustang GT Convertib Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 310 iTrader: 0 reviews	thanks for all of the responses.. im looking at throwing 1k or under in the car to make it a bit faster (horsepower or gears) I think ill go ahead and start out with throwing the 4:10 gears in and maybe headers.. any recommendations on where to shop for the 4:10 gears?

September 5th, 2011, 11:27 PM	#18
Eagle2000GT I Post Entirely Way Too Much 2000 Mustang GT 12.73@111.36 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Shelbyville, IN Posts: 5,311 iTrader: 1 reviews	If you are going to do gears first then get a handheld tuner. A 93 octane tune will get you more than headers. Headers are expensive, hard to install, and they will get you maybe 5-7 rwhp. __________________ ProCharger P-1SC, 9 psi, STD 396/383; Uncorrected 388/375; SAE 383/370 Mods list in Garage.

September 6th, 2011, 12:26 AM	#19
Steve03GT Regular 2003 MUSTANG GT 12.5@113 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: GTA ONTARIO Posts: 494 iTrader: 0 reviews	CHEAP FAST RELIABLE Pick Two __________________ 2003 Mustang GT 398 hp, 365 tq 12.518@114.38mph Vortech V3, BA 2600, Magnaflow CatBack, Pro 5.0 shifter, SCT Livewire, BBK Catted X, M/T ET Streets 315/35/17, 160* Stat, FRPP 4.10, CXRacing IC, Vortech MaxFlow Race Valve, 3.33 Pulley, BBK 78MM TB

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September 6th, 2011, 01:56 AM	#20
fordx316 Regular 2000 GT Convertable 14.03@99.41 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: NJ Posts: 244 iTrader: 0 reviews	If its a stick, a short throw shifter will make it a little more fun and sporty to drive, and faster shifts. __________________ Triple Black GT "Jenny" : http://www.moddedmustangs.com/forums...-up-jenny.html Full exhaust, hurst shifter, JLT CAI, staggered nittos, brembo brakes, and some other little things

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