[nasty02v6]

First of all I would like to introduce myself. My name is Aaron and i'm a mechanic in Missouri. About a month ago I bought a 2002 V6 and have been modding ever since. I originally wanted a GT, but I picked this V6 with 166K up for a price I couldn't refuse and fell in love with the car and it's fuel economy. Here's what I bought.

Here's what i've done.
First I pulled the car into the shop and performed the mandatory synthetic swap. Royal Purple 10W40 in the engine with a Motorcraft Filter and Royal Purple Synchromax in the transmission. The reason behind using 10W40 is that I have always had great results with it and I happened to have 5 gallons of it laying around.


Next I installed an MGW Shifter with their Silver Race Handle. The shifter itself is fantastic, but the Race handle is tough to get used to. The throws are incredibly short but you lose alot of leverage and have to really jab the gears during spirited driving.
Next I installed an MSD Coil with MSD Wires and a set of Motorcraft Plugs.

Then I encountered the notorious Camshaft Synchronizer problem. Extremely embarassing in public by the way. So on went a new Motorcraft Sychronizer and Sensor. I picked up the Ford tool for this job on Ebay for $25 shipped. While I was at it I decided to permanently remove the EGR system for quick plug changes and possible future Cam-Synchro replacement.


Next I threw on a K&N Intake. Cleaned the MAF Sensor while it was out. I'm not 100% but i'm pretty sure the MAF Sensor is getting some pretty turbulent air flow through the K&N. After install I am experiencing bucking/surging while decelerating and applying a light load 0-25% throttle. I have also encountered stalling while decelerating in neutral. I was able to clean up most of it by throwing in 2 degress of timing across the map, but the stalling issue remains. It may be an IAC Valve issue, too soon to tell though.

Then I installed 04 Mach 1 Wheels with Nitto NT555 275/40R17's on front and 315/35R17's on the rear. Awesome setup.




After the big grippy tires were installed I began to notice the wore out rubber rack bushings. So I put in a set of Energy Suspension polyurethane bushings. I also threw a set in my buddies Mach pictured above while I was at it. His at 70K were worse than mine at 170K.

Last but not least is the Exhaust. First I decided on a setup. I wanted MAC Longtube Headers, a MAC H-Pipe without Catalysts, and a Flowmaster Catback. I also wanted to keep the V6 rear bumper. So I ordered all of the exhaust along with hangers, new Motorcraft front 02's and plugs for the rear 02's, and Fel-Pro Gaskets. Everything arrives except for the Headers. Backordered EVERYWHERE! MAC says they will be available late-November to early-December. So if anybody has a set for sale or knows someone with a set for sale I would proudly jump all over them and pay well.
I would like to describe my setup in detail as I think it's pretty unique. Instead of using a V8 bumper or modifying a catback to come out under the bumper, the latter which never seems to look quite right, I chose an American Thunder system from Flowmaster equipped with Super 44's. The kit is actually for 1994-97 GT's and Cobra's, but the pipes sit perfectly under the bumper and bolts right up to the MAC H-Pipe.


In order the use the above kit or kits from the same vehicles specified you must use tailpipe hangers from a 1979-93 V8. You must also remove or relocate the Evaporative Emissions canister as it interferes with the driver's side tailpipe hanger. Since I was ditching my EVAP system anyways it was no problem for me. Although the holes exist to mount the passenger side tailpipe hanger, there's no such luck on the driver's side. While the hole for the self-tapping screw is there (it is used to retain a harness for the canister), the locating slot is missing. All you need to do is use the passenger side to make a template and transfer it to the driver's side and drill out your slot. As soon as the Snap-On guy show up with my low-profile 90-degree drill attachment i'm going to do mine. I'll fill in the EVAP removal details later, it's not too tough.





You probably noticed I used all Pypes stainless hangers. I have heard of the muffler hangers failing, but they were readily available and I picked them up on Ebay for next to nothing. I had to reuse the stock clip-nuts and bolts for the outer mounting holes because the new ones provided were too short to reach the factory holes.


More to come, comments and recommendations are appreciated!

[dgt_mustang]

Welcome to Modded Mustangs, very impressive 2nd post i have ever seen. looks like your doing well and know what you want on your car, +1 for you my friend, i see you changed your trans fluid too? i want to invite you over to another thread about another member wanting to do his if you could throw your advice in since your a mechanic, im sure he would appreciate it.

Change auto tranny fluid?

[mustang227]

Nice :d

[Green_6er]

welcome to MM! and i have to say, you know what you want on your car lol. and btw, the car looks great!

[6ER THEN I 8ER!]

looks good...welcome

[Macunicorn]

That is a good start on some upgrades you have for your mustang. Welcome also to MM.
Im diggin the offset wheels.

[ESG-642T]

could have saved some coin on that K&N hot air intake.

[LilRoush]

Very clean car. Def check that IAC if you have issues when you let off.

Originally Posted by ESG-642T could have saved some coin on that K&N hot air intake.

I was thinking that as well.

[nasty02v6]

Originally Posted by ESG-642T could have saved some coin on that K&N hot air intake.

I know, especially since I decided to do a windstar upper soon after, oh well.

[mycurse01]

Cool story bro. Welcome to mm.

[nasty02v6]

!!!UPDATE!!!

Got home from work tonight and found these on the porch.



The exhaust is finally ready to install! Here in a few weeks the rest of my parts should be here:

SPEC Clutch
SPEC Aluminum Flywheel
FRPP Aluminum Driveshaft
Motive 4.10 Gears
Detroit Truetrac
Aeromotive Fuel Pump

I'll be setting up the rear axle myself so I can get it to my preferred specifications. I'll do a good writeup on it as well. The mustang is getting ready to spend some quality time with the two-post. Tons of pictures coming soon!

[Matt.]

nice dude you are going to have a very similar exhaust setup to mine(Mac lt,H pipe, 44's) it sounds great

[Mr. Red Pony]

Mechanic is a word no one would self imply were I come from..

And I would got back to 5w20 or 5w30 at the least. 10w40 is going to be way to thick for the engine. You may not notice it, but it is takes longer for the engine to pump the oil when it is that thick (especially when it is cold) and you are going to shorten the life of your bearings, rings, lifters, and valves.

I would also recommend a steel flywheel and stock driveshaft. They are over kill when you do not make more than 300hp and 300 FT/LBs because you are loosing rotation mass. Yes it sound good on paper to have it, but you are really going to be bogging the engine down on take offs and you are just going to burn up that new clutch because you have to let it out really slow.

Technician to mechanic advise.

[Mr. Red Pony]

Originally Posted by ESG-642T could have saved some coin on that K&N hot air intake.

At least we can agree on something.

[6ER THEN I 8ER!]

Originally Posted by Mr. Red Pony At least we can agree on something.

2nd

[ESG-642T]

Originally Posted by nasty02v6 !!!UPDATE!!! Got home from work tonight and found these on the porch. The exhaust is finally ready to install! Here in a few weeks the rest of my parts should be here: SPEC Clutch SPEC Aluminum Flywheel FRPP Aluminum Driveshaft Motive 4.10 Gears Detroit Truetrac Aeromotive Fuel Pump I'll be setting up the rear axle myself so I can get it to my preferred specifications. I'll do a good writeup on it as well. The mustang is getting ready to spend some quality time with the two-post. Tons of pictures coming soon!

Where did you find an aeromotive pump to work with our cars?

And any reason not going for an 8.8?

[nasty02v6]

@ Mr. Red Pony

I had 5 quarts of RP 10W40 left over from a previous vehicle, good for a quick oil change, never had any intentions of continuous use, stuffs too expensive to waste. Plus it was in the mid-80's here when I put it in, I wasn't concerned. The Mustang has been garaged since the temps dropped. It's not my DD, got a GMC for that. I'll have to get a picture of it up here sometime, you would probably like it being a GM Tech. But yes, once the motor is swapped/sorted out, 5W-- will be back in there.

Where I come from, garages have mechanics and dealerships have technicians. Then again, i'm pretty "old school". I have no shame in calling myself a mechanic, I know what I do and have been doing it for a long time. I like getting dirty, I have questionable people skills, I drink & chew alot, and I don't care.

While I do appreciate the flywheel/clutch/driveshaft advice, there are alot of things coming together under the hood that will allow them. I won't get too far into yet, but i'm working on camshaft and piston specifications optimal to E85 right now. I've done alot of V8's in the past, I really wanted to try something new with this car.

I'm assuming you were'nt being offensive with the mech/tech deal, but it's hard to tell on forums. I assure you i'm not trying to offend, I honestly appreciate your input.

@ ESG-642T

Aeromotive PN-11142 (Stealth 340 Series)

I never said I wasn't using an 8.8.

@ Everyone

Alright thats enough K&N CAI bashing. I effed up and I know it!

[ESG-642T]

Let me know how that goes for you, it requires some hacking and you are going to need to change the fuel tables

[Mr. Red Pony]

Originally Posted by nasty02v6 @ Mr. Red Pony I had 5 quarts of RP 10W40 left over from a previous vehicle, good for a quick oil change, never had any intentions of continuous use, stuffs too expensive to waste. Plus it was in the mid-80's here when I put it in, I wasn't concerned. The Mustang has been garaged since the temps dropped. It's not my DD, got a GMC for that. I'll have to get a picture of it up here sometime, you would probably like it being a GM Tech. But yes, once the motor is swapped/sorted out, 5W-- will be back in there. Where I come from, garages have mechanics and dealerships have technicians. Then again, i'm pretty "old school". I have no shame in calling myself a mechanic, I know what I do and have been doing it for a long time. I like getting dirty, I have questionable people skills, I drink & chew alot, and I don't care. While I do appreciate the flywheel/clutch/driveshaft advice, there are alot of things coming together under the hood that will allow them. I won't get too far into yet, but i'm working on camshaft and piston specifications optimal to E85 right now. I've done alot of V8's in the past, I really wanted to try something new with this car. I'm assuming you were'nt being offensive with the mech/tech deal, but it's hard to tell on forums. I assure you i'm not trying to offend, I honestly appreciate your input. @ ESG-642T Aeromotive PN-11142 (Stealth 340 Series) I never said I wasn't using an 8.8. @ Everyone Alright thats enough K&N CAI bashing. I effed up and I know it!

No offense intended and none taken. I love what I do and I do it well. I don'tind getting dirty. I get you on the garage/dealership thing.

I'm a Ford guy at heart. GM gave me an opportunity I couldn't pass it by.

All the members you will find on THIS forum that have been here a while have thick skin including myself. So don't worry about hurting people's feelings. It's your opinion.

My advise may come by as rash. That's because I don't sugar coat anything.

[nasty02v6]

Originally Posted by ESG-642T Let me know how that goes for you, it requires some hacking and you are going to need to change the fuel tables

Won't be a problem, i'll keep you updated.