yup

 

they're catalytic converters that flow better than stock type.

 

Well, I think I'm going to go with some new headers for now and maybe a cold air intake or pulley sysytem and save up for a good exhaust set-up later. Can I use shorty headers on my stock y-pipe set-up?

 

I was searching for a bit more information on what and how to do cold air intakes and came across this http://reviews.ebay.com/99-04-v6-Mus...00000000907558
I found it quite informative, some other new people might find it helpful too, but I'm not sure on how accurate it is, anyone care to check?

 

if you get headers buy LONG TUBES. shorties are almost stock. Im told that the V6 mustang of your year had the best OEM headers and here was no need to change. A CAI is really cheep and easy mod. I really think that a dual exhaust system is the thing you should do right now. Exhaust sets up your car for future Mods. Go with exhaust first.

 

Ive read that one b 4. Its ok some good points. I dont like his exhaust section on straight pipes. you want a mid pipe

 

Ok, I was pricing some cold air intakes and was a bit concerned about a price gap I've been seeing from $20-$40 then a jump to the $120's up to $200. Are the $20 and $40 lower quality or just smaller brands?

 

they're all 100% crap. just pick up a K&N FIPK. It's the single best kit on the market. Plastic intake tube doesn't wick heat like the metal ones and it comes with a filter.

If you're expecting power from it... keep dreaming.

 

What and to what extent does an cold air intake do? I mean I see them in many cars and seems to be a fairly popular upgrade, is it only effective in v8's?

 

it's not "effective" at much of anything in most any car. Blower/turbo cars see gains but they're a different animal.

What most kits will do is raise your intake air temps, screw up MAF readings and lighten your wallet by about 200 bucks. The popularity comes partly from it being cool looking and partly from exaggerated claims of the CAI manufacturers. In the course of dyno'ing dozens of cars I've seen changes in hp from -10 to +15 but most common is low single digit (like 1-5hp) gains. It is 100% not worth the money. Find one used and if you just can't help yourself or you need the bling, then jump on it. Don't pay more than about 50 bucks for a used kit... it's silly to waste money on a used money waster.

I use a Steeda CAI on my 03GT. It's there for bling value and that's about it.

The theory behind the CAI is that cold air is going to come in from the fender well instead of from the underhood area. The problem is most kits are metal and the air ends up hotter than the stock setup would have allowed it to get. K&N uses a plastic tube which is well shaped and their heat shields are pretty effective which gives them a leg up on almost any other kit.

Whatever you do...Don't go using PVC pipe to DIY one... that's just ghey.

 

you only see big gains on 03 04 cobras and machs

 

Ok, thanks for saving me some money there. Not too many options left for me, exhaust just seems a bit more complicated than I first anticipated, I want to get something done to it but now I'm not sure what I can/should do. Maybe just some pinstripes? I'd rather put out money for something that would Increase performance even a little than some thing 100% asthetic. So used CAI?

 

if u want the easy way to do exhaust and since you seem to mostly be looking for tone just get the exhaust that bolts on to the Y pipe:

http://www.stangmods.com/MAC-Cat-Bac...475-tk3849.htm

or

http://www.stangmods.com/MAC-Cat-Bac...476-tk3848.htm

I forgot what year your car was so theres the 94-98 and 99-04

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNhVumIvGIo

theres a sound clip thats from mustangvsix on this forum

 

the 3V GT's see some gain as well

 

Yeah with a tune, but were talking v6 cars and they gain very little (pre 05 cars).

I would get the cheapest one you can you will be lucky to get 2rwhp out of it. Were not being dicks its the threw with the v6 your car doesnt flow alot with stock heads,cam to have much restriction in the intake side.

 

Doesn't look like I'm going to get much ou of this without putting out some more dough, I think I'll do what spike africa suggested and just get a cheap CAI for now and maybe some stripes.(too tacky?)

 

stripes could look good put up some pics of the car i don't think we have seen it

 

Ok, I was also thinking maybe those c-stripes with some cowl inserts but they seem a bit much.I'll try to get some pics tomorrow.

 

ok just buy this
http://www.americanmuscle.com/muv6coairins.html

and one of these your choice. you should check these out give you more of a choice of direct bolt on exhaust.
http://www.americanmuscle.com/magnaf...t-9904-v6.html
http://www.stangmods.com/MAC-Cat-Bac...475-tk3849.htm
http://www.rpmoutlet.com/musv6helix.htm
http://www.rpmoutlet.com/musv6ypcb.htm
http://www.v6mustangstuff.com/exhaust.htm

plus we get discounts at some of those site if you want a code i have some

 

Since you're not splitting the y-pipe into and x or h doesn't that make it more(the same?) restricted air flow?

 

there is still going to be restriction of air flow from not doing that but not as much a stock single outlet. Its still coming down the single y but then it splits in to separate mufflers taking restriction off but not alot

 

Hmmm well just getting a dual attachment for the y-pipe cuts the x or h pipe out of the price.
Btw I need to replace my stock manifold but I'm having trouble finding some or pricing them and if the price for stock replacements wasn't too far from shorty headers I might go there.

 

why do you need a new manifold???

 

Bought it, noticed slight ratling, guy said it was nothing, I get in a minor fender bender seems mostly cosmetic,send it to a shop to get fixed, take it out for a drive rattling is much louder, take it into the shop which fixed they say the accident only magnified a pre-existing crack in the manifold which was apparently causing the rattling, he did say it would be fine but its starting to get annoying.

 

I know ford had a recall on many of the plastic manifolds...
Mine was one of them as well, but I didn't fit the criteria to get it replaced.
Not sure if yours was in that category or not? And it might not have affected V6 (not sure).

 

I meant the metal exhaust manifold.

(headers and exhaust manifolds replace one another right?)

 

its just a simple weld

 

Nice more savings thanks,so I just find the crack and weld it shut?

 

Sorry for double posting, but I'm starting to find alot of stock gt exhaust systems at pretty good prices, would it be possible to use them from the h-pipe down with stock headers?