[Mustang_Visuals_04]

So I know where I am now... -2004 Mustang V6 H pipe, MagnaFlow exhaust, K&N CAI (bought by the previous owner... so not like I spent money on it).
And I know where I want to be in a couple years.. which is running a Turbo.

Only problem is, I need help with the "in-between." I don't know what exactly I would need and I don't want to just go out buying shit without having a complete detailed plan. I have seen posts but nothing solid has been said to help my case. I'd just like a detailed answer helping me to figure out the process of purchases I will have to go through before finally looking to buy that Turbo.

As of now I don't have much experience with cars, I'm only 18. I will be taking classes in college to learn more about the mechanics and hopefully to be able to work on them myself is my goal. This means any near future purchases I probably would have to have someone install them for me.. so, if there is a way, possibly to put off certain purchases until I can save ,money and install them myself that'd be great, but I don't know what all needs to be installed and what should be purchased first considering my case.

******Basically, I'd like to save money by purchasing installments that an inexperienced person might be able to install first, and looking to purchase bigger jobs when I could potentially do them myself. (After a year or two)
******

I know this was kind of a mouthfull.. But hopefully I can get some assistance here... Thanks a million.

Remember, I don't have much experience, so all these abbreviations I probably won't be familiar with

[ESG-642T]

Save money until you can afford turbo, don't buy anything else until then.

[mustangmike!]

im with ESG on saving, turbo's are expensive and theirs alot to it.
start researching turbo's and talk to people that have them.

exp. Find out how you need to get it tunned. What you need to do to your exhaust.

But if you really want to spend some money between now and then, only thing I can say would be a safe buy before a turbo is gears and tlok, maybe try and find a cheap 8.8 rear w/ tlok already in it and you can find many more gear choices for it and will hold up better for you.

I would say windstar swap and UDP's, but, You can get even more out of your turbo set up, and more out of your engine if you put a cam specced for your turbo. So if you did that, it would be smart to wait and do the windstar and udp's at the same time since you've got it apart.

but im all with ESG on saving $$$$

[Mustang_Visuals_04]

Originally Posted by mustangmike! im with ESG on saving, turbo's are expensive and theirs alot to it. start researching turbo's and talk to people that have them. exp. Find out how you need to get it tunned. What you need to do to your exhaust. But if you really want to spend some money between now and then, only thing I can say would be a safe buy before a turbo is gears and tlok, maybe try and find a cheap 8.8 rear w/ tlok already in it and you can find many more gear choices for it and will hold up better for you. I would say windstar swap and UDP's, but, You can get even more out of your turbo set up, and more out of your engine if you put a cam specced for your turbo. So if you did that, it would be smart to wait and do the windstar and udp's at the same time since you've got it apart. but im all with ESG on saving $$$$

Oh, definitely saving... I mean that's quite obvious.. had just heard about a lot of... well basically... pre-requisites that I would need or that would be smart to buy before getting the turbo. Those are what I was focusing on. so gears, Windstar, tlok, cams... ? Focus on those before buying the Turbo?

[mustangmike!]

no not really just saying thats stuff you can get.

I would find out what exactly you need for the turbo first, tune ... ect

not sure on the info here, but idk if your stock intakes will be sufficiant enough for this depending on your boost, might need larger injectors, an SVT fuel pump, stuff like that.

Just search for turbo posts and see who has one and ask them what they know, even those w/ superchargers can help you

[plak424]

save, I'm in the same spot you are, and I'm leaving my motor alone until i buy my ecu and the stuff to set up the turbo

[ESG-642T]

Originally Posted by Mustang_Visuals_04 Oh, definitely saving... I mean that's quite obvious.. had just heard about a lot of... well basically... pre-requisites that I would need or that would be smart to buy before getting the turbo. Those are what I was focusing on. so gears, Windstar, tlok, cams... ? Focus on those before buying the Turbo?

Gears - sure, with a tlok , but then I would say get an 8.8
Windstar - I wouldn't do it, thats almost 500$ off your savings for a turbo.
Cams - I wouldn't do it either thats another 500$ ish once your said and done.

[superpede1]

First, go on American Muscle or VMP and buy your self an SCT tuner, you'll need it for the turbo and you'll have more fun with your car now, it also takes zero mecahnical knowledge to upload the tune.

Next if you want to start getting things your going to want to have for the turbo I would go get yourself an 8.8 rear end out of a GT and get some 3.73 gears for it (Your tuner will also help you recalibrate your speedo).

After that I would just save up and go get that turbo!

[ESG-642T]

Honestly if you can hold out on the tuner do so.... Most of the times the shops will cut you a discount on tuning if you buy it from them.

[plak424]

I would say hold off on the tuner all together, if your going turbo I think it would be a lot more beneficial for you to look into different replacements for the factory ecu, such as haltech, AEM, Motec is really good, and theres a ton more out there that will plug straight in to the stock ford sensors and will give you complete control over fine tuning your engine

[ESG-642T]

Originally Posted by plak424 I would say hold off on the tuner all together, if your going turbo I think it would be a lot more beneficial for you to look into different replacements for the factory ecu, such as haltech, AEM, Motec is really good, and theres a ton more out there that will plug straight in to the stock ford sensors and will give you complete control over fine tuning your engine

Waste of money, unless hes trying to build a track star.

[plak424]

Originally Posted by ESG-642T Waste of money, unless hes trying to build a track star.

that is true, but if he wants to learn all about modern EFI and then apply it to tuning his own car it would be really useful. He could also use it on his car now and use the data logging features to gain some power.

I used a haltech unit on an FSAE team and tuning and messing around with that thing taught me a lot.

[ESG-642T]

Originally Posted by plak424 that is true, but if he wants to learn all about modern EFI and then apply it to tuning his own car it would be really useful. He could also use it on his car now and use the data logging features to gain some power. I used a haltech unit on an FSAE team and tuning and messing around with that thing taught me a lot.

Thats more than the average user is going to want or need.

[plak424]

Originally Posted by ESG-642T Thats more than the average user is going to want or need.

Thats also true, even most people who race occasionally don't need half the features that some of them offer

[9986paulk]

I second just saving for the turbo kit. All you need is something like a detroit locker and gears for your rear. Expensive, but still stronger and lighter than an 8.8. Supporting mods...injectors, fuel pump, air/fuel ratio gauge would be recommended. That's really it. A stock intake is fine. You can push your stock engine past its limit with just a turbo. Either that or you'll change your mind by then.