[mouseglove]

hey guys... i have a 96 3.8L (bought it in May, 142k on the engine) and I have invested some $ into the vehicle by purchasing chrome rims and converting it to dual exhaust (glasspacks, resonator, h pipe). It is beginning to dog me a little in first gear, but i suspect it is because the bearings are old; the throwout bearing whines a bit when i release the clutch in 1st. the car still runs smoothly, but i am at a cross-road at this point. i want to install the UDP and CAI, but i am worried about more drag in 1st gear. should I just save up for new ring and pinion gears/bearings? will i need to purchase a different clutch? the previous owner had installed a new clutch when i purchased it... it runs smooth enough, but like i said, it dogs a bit w/ the new exhaust, so i am riding the clutch in 1st more than i was before. any advice would be helpful guys, i am not a mechanic or car-savvy, so if i sound like i need "Mustangs 101" let me know. i am here to learn as much as possible. The attatchment is what she looks like with her new shoes[/img]

[Cricket]

With a cai you will not notice any difference in power...and if you do it is almost not noticable. A cai will not be a big difference. With u/d you will feel a bit of a difference, and gears will make a difference. I can't help ya out with the clutch too much since I'm using an auto for now, but someone in here will chirp up.

[ckthecerealkiller]

Describe your exhaust setup to me there might be a problem there if you didn't have a problem before. I just want to make sure that there isn't a problem there before we try and "fix" somthing else.

[mouseglove]

I had them cut the solo exaust from the factory catalytic converters and install an h-pipe, glasspack mufflers, and chrome GT tips... seems to work fine after first gear. it just lags a bit more than it used to in 1st gear; afterward it seems to pick up nicely in all the other gears. the welding looks ok... maybe i am missing something, but i don't think it is the new exhaust. to be honest, the car has had this thing with the tranny since i got it. it is drivable, but first gear is definitely an issue because of the old bearings. the shifter is kinda rough too...

[AtlanticBlue99]

I bet those snowflake wheels hold you back a bit

[ChrisJ]

Originally Posted by AtlanticBlue99 I bet those snowflake wheels hold you back a bit

Thats where I am guessing lag comes from...

What size are the wheels?

[mouseglove]

Originally Posted by AtlanticBlue99 I bet those snowflake wheels hold you back a bit

i do go a bit slower because Colorado is notorious for potholes i keep em clean though. they are 18's

[AtlanticBlue99]

Originally Posted by mouseglove Originally Posted by AtlanticBlue99 I bet those snowflake wheels hold you back a bit i do go a bit slower because Colorado is notorious for potholes i keep em clean though. they are 18's

Do you know how much the wheels weigh by chance? Chrome is heavy...

[mouseglove]

no idea... definitely heavier than the 15" steel rims i had on her before.

[ChrisJ]

Originally Posted by mouseglove no idea... definitely heavier than the 15" steel rims i had on her before.

Yeah that is alot of rotating mass...It kills alot of your power right there...Takes alot more to get those feet a moving...

[turp]

If you like the rims then kewl. But I wouldnot expect any REAL power gains no matter what you do as long as you have those wagon wheels on. (I know it sucks but I am speaking truth because I don't want to lie to ya bro)

[AtlanticBlue99]

Yeah, you can go for style points with some lighter wheels too. I mean, get some 17s or 18s in the bullits or something still flashy, but sporty and lighter. Having less rotational mass and gears with a trac lok will wake up your accleration, but even your braking is hindered by those massive wheels

[ChrisJ]

Originally Posted by AtlanticBlue99 Yeah, you can go for style points with some lighter wheels too. I mean, get some 17s or 18s in the bullits or something still flashy, but sporty and lighter. Having less rotational mass and gears with a trac lok will wake up your accleration, but even your braking is hindered by those massive wheels

Very Good points...

If you keep those wheels I would look into maybe upgrading the brakes...

[mouseglove]

Originally Posted by turp If you like the rims then kewl. But I wouldnot expect any REAL power gains no matter what you do as long as you have those wagon wheels on. (I know it sucks but I am speaking truth because I don't want to lie to ya bro)

yes, the rims are nice, and NOT for racing...
now when i go to upgrade the tranny, should i get a new clutch to go along w/ the bearing kit and the gears, or can i stick w/ the new OEM clutch? i don't plan on upgrading the engine heavily, maybe a few things to free up some power, but not for racing... i would have a V8 if that was the case. any recommendation on what i should do would be helpful.

[turp]

Well, if your not racing then the OEM clutch should suffice. I would not upgrade anything if the car is for cruising. Just keep up on the maintenance and you should be good to go.

[00SoSlow]

wheels gotta go man... why?

[ChrisJ]

Originally Posted by 00SoSlow wheels gotta go man... why?

Some people are into show and some people are into go...Its all about what you want...

[00SoSlow]

i can understand but come on... there are better ones to show then those... im sorry but thats my opinion

[ChrisJ]

Originally Posted by 00SoSlow i can understand but come on... there are better ones to show then those... im sorry but thats my opinion

And everyone is intitled to one...

[AtlanticBlue99]

Yep, it is his car, and if he likes the wheels, he won't get the acceleration he wants. If he chooses those wheels, he will sacrifice any and all power gains he may get with any mods. I would compromise and get a stylish wheel like a chrome FR500 from AFS or something, but it is his car, so he does what he likes...