Whats next?

[MustangGT90]

Trying to decide what I should work on next on my 90 GT... I recently put in BBK equal length shorty headers, and removed my a/c and smog pump as well as installed a jet performance chip. I was either thinking about just starting on the rear end and working my way forwards... oooor tinkering around with some other bolt on mods? Any suggestions guys? Josh I'm sure you got some insight for me and any suggestion's as to where to find a rear-end to start workin on so I don't have to rip mine out? Or even if I do have to rip mine out what should I be doing to it? Thanks guys. Or Josh even if you wanna get started on one for me if you can find one. Give me a shout on my cell. Thanks guys.

[OrangeStang]

OK, here is my 2 cents for worthwhile mods to a relatively stock fox:

Complete tune-up: New plugs, filters (air, oil, fuel), clean IAB, check vacuum hoses, set TPS, bump timing to 14 degrees.

Install 3.73s in the rear - makes a bigger difference than anything else.

Lowering springs - Looks good. May actually improve handling, but mainly looks good.

Exhaust - Cheap, makes a 5.0 sound like a 5.0. Headers, H-pipe and catback are all super cheap. Also, actually adds some performance.

Other stuff that sort of helps:

CAI - Honestly, if you have already ditched the air silencer and have a good filter, the CAI does virtually nothing for performance. Looks shiny.

Short shifter - An OK mod. Makes shifting a little quicker and more direct. Will make noise though if you have some mild gear issues. Not everyone likes the feel.

Pulleys - Another decent mod, you'll be lucky to see 5hp out of them, and may in certain situations cause some charging issues, but they look pretty and are fairly cheap. I've never had a problem with mine, so I guess they are worth while.

Stuff that sucks:

Lame electronic mods - "TPS modules",  resistor "chips" that give a false IAT reading, and most of the JET and other chips make very little extra HP. Also it causes goobers to come up to you in a parking lot and say shit like "I got a stage 9 chip and it added 1400hp! God damn my shit box was fast." Don't try and argue with these morons, as they ave no concept of their own stupidity.

Big cam on stock heads - Terrible plan. Likely lose HP and torque, and idle will be awful. Also, the stock 5.0 cam is actually pretty good.

Roller rockers - No real downside, just don't expect big gains for the money. 5hp on a great day.

Basically every other mod: Unless you swap heads, which is by far the biggest limiter on power, none of the other popular mods are going to do much. You can gain a small amount with bigger intakes, TBs, MAFs, etc.. But the heads are the bottle neck. After you swap heads to something good, you will start making some good power, but good heads and all the supporting hardware isn't cheap.

OrangeStang Recommended Mods:

Brakes - Fox brakes suck fat dick. Grab some SN95 brakes. Preferably Cobra ones, but definately something 5-lug. 4 lug looks like goat anus. Good brakes are not that expensive, look cool, and you'll be safer.

Suspension - Don't get retarded, just get some good quality shocks/struts, some CC plates, and some good control arms. If this is a daily driver, ignore what Josh tells you and get something with urethane bushings. Rod ends wear out and squeak like a Mofo if your car sees more than only occasional use. Throw on a panhard bar if you want to start getting racy.

Tires/wheels - Again, don't be a retard. Some new good quality tires, and some good quality tasteful wheels. research fitment before you buy to ensure they don't rub or look goofy.

In summary: If it were me, do some high value engine / drivetrain mods. You'll have good power and still be reliable for DD car. Then go into the brakes and suspension. Compliment that with some nice wheels and tires, and the car will look awesome, run awesome, and not be a bitch to drive and break down all the time.

PS: Also, detail the hell out of it. I don't mean rub on some old turtle wax your grandpa used to rub onto his Lebaron with his old ginch. I mean do a proper job with proper tools and product, and do the whole car. Engine bay, door jambs, interior, wheel wells, inside of rims, etc..

[41Ford]

^^ Holy... I concur 

[nik]

And make sure you bolt your floorboards in really tight, or it'll fall out when you hit the NOS

[MustangGT90]

Thanks for all your insight Orange!! few questions.. firstly whats an IAB? and CAI? and where can I find the air silencer?

[MustangGT90]

also a huge thx to Josh once again that hooked me up with a new rear diff to start working on for my build!! super stoked to get my hands into it with you Josh!

[OrangeStang]

Thanks for all your insight Orange!! few questions.. firstly whats an IAB? and CAI? and where can I find the air silencer?

IAB= Idle Air Bypass. It sets your idle

CAI= Cold Air Intake

[Marko]

I exagerate for comedic effect, and have owned may 4 bolt rims. I just prefere the look of 5 bolt.

  The truth is the 4 bolt rotors and brakes are barely good enough for a stock Mustang. Most of us add power to our cars and don't consider the brakes. Including myself, but my car never leaves the garage anyway.     I like the 5 bolt because of better rim selection and mostly the braking performance options. A good mod. to do before you spend a ton of money on rims. I am a slow learner!

[nik]

Yeah after riding the explorer all disc for 2 years, I thought I was missing half my brake system, drums are GARBAGE.

Guy down my road has a rear disc 8.8, all ready to bolt into a stang, I think he wants 450 for it, PM me if you want his info, I'd go for it but I have quite a bit more to do before I even think of mods.

[Matt]

I agree the best mod I have done to date is a brake upgrade followed by gears

[Marko]

Yeah after riding the explorer all disc for 2 years, I thought I was missing half my brake system, drums are GARBAGE.

Guy down my road has a rear disc 8.8, all ready to bolt into a stang, I think he wants 450 for it, PM me if you want his info, I'd go for it but I have quite a bit more to do before I even think of mods.

  Can't afford it right now! I am unemployed. And just ordered a bunch of stuff from 50 Resto. Damn it! Bad timing, cause that would be a good start! Someone else here might want to grab it?

[41Ford]

Yeah after riding the explorer all disc for 2 years, I thought I was missing half my brake system, drums are GARBAGE.

Guy down my road has a rear disc 8.8, all ready to bolt into a stang, I think he wants 450 for it, PM me if you want his info, I'd go for it but I have quite a bit more to do before I even think of mods.

Fox length axles? What size discs?

[nik]

Fox length axles? What size discs?

No idea, I didn't take a look at it, I was buying a set of ponies off him for 150 bucks, just lives down the street from me.  here's his ad:

http://www.usedvictoria.com/classified-ad/11005375

Oh, and bring that front clip up!  Don't forget to wear anti rust protection.

[OrangeStang]

No idea, I didn't take a look at it, I was buying a set of ponies off him for 150 bucks, just lives down the street from me.  here's his ad:

Although off topic:

Good job on the ponies. That will help your a car a lot.

[nik]

Yeah the wheels were not for me... somone else can use em.

[OrangeStang]

Back on topic:

I figured I'd post this, as it is a good example of how crucial wheels and stance are to a car. Normally I'm no big fan of Dodge Chargers, but this car looks amazing because it has great stance, and a nice wheel choice:




It is an SRT8, but there aren't any aftermarket bolt on body mods or anything that I see, just good stance, wheels, and nice photos.

[nik]

I agree