SSSTANG's 3.8L Modifications.
Just put this together to try and help guys asking questions. If I've missed anything or you feel anything is
inaccurately just let me know. Also if you have any questions you can reach me on AIM: LoudMustang2005

1st tier
--------------
Basic bolt ons
--------------
Headers
- BBK Shorties
- Mac Long Tubes
- Pacesetter


Thoughts: The BBK shorties will do almost nothing for you as the stock mainfolds flow very well. If your going
for headers the Mac Long Tubes seem to be the best thing as of now. Currently MAC is the only producer of
94-04 Long tube headers, however Pacesetter should also be releasing a set of long tube headers for the 94-04
v6 mustang so be on the look out.


Cold Air intake
- Short Ram
- Fender well
- "ram air" types

Thoughts: The basic "bomz" eBay cold air intake will work fine. If your car is a show car, or you just like to have
a brand name then you have several options. Their are also the mach 1 "ram air" style intakes. The fender well is
what I would reccomend. The short ram seems to draw hotter air from the engine bay unless its 100% sealed off and
the ram air types are normally expensive and provide the same gains.


Exhaust
- Mid Pipe
- Catback


Thoughts: Great beginner modification. A mid pipe is not needed for an even fire v6 mustang divorced duals may be
ran if you desire. Divorced Duals, tend to have a louder sound. Xpipe, tends to be more raspy. H pipe tends to be
deeper. This can vary depending on muffler choice. You can also have an exhaust shop custom fabricate a catback,
the only difference is you won't get mandrel bends. If your just looking for a small bit more sound a Y pipe catback is
ok, however this is not the best for performance and sound.


Under Drive Pulleys (UDP)

Thoughts: Another great mod. These help buy "under driving" your accessories, less rotational mass frees up more power.
If you have a big audio system make sure you get an Over Drive pulley for the alternator. If your Audio system is huge
then you might want to look past this mod.


2nd Tier
----------------
weekend projects
----------------

Gears
- 3.73
- 4.10

Thoughts: I only included 3.73 and 4.10s but their are other options. 3.73 and 4.10 seem to be the most popular.
Gears will help your car accelerate faster, you won't gain any power but your car will move faster. Steeper gears
(higher number) will get you the fastest acceleration. Their are exceptions to this, when your car is turbocharged
or supercharged you have to consider the best gear for your powerband. (please do not attempt this unless you are
absolutely sure you know what your doing)

T-Lok
(posi,Lsd)
- Ford Racing
- Detroit TruTrac
- Auburn

Thoughts: A tlok will increase your traction buy providing power to both wheels. the 94-04 Mustangs came with an open
differential (you spin your passenger side tire ony). The Ford Racing Tlok seems to hold up to about 300rwhp however
they have been broken with stock power. If you want something better look into the TrueTrac, Aburn, or an 8.8 rear.
(please do not attempt this unless you absolutely know what your doing)


Upper Intake Spacer
- VAP

Where to find: www.vapauto.com

Thoughts: The VAP Intake Spacer will increase the length the air has to travel thus creating more low end torque
and hp. It has been dyno tested to give about 5hp and 7tq. Don't be scared to do this mod yourself the upper intake
manifold may look tough but its fairly easy.


Aluminum Drive Shaft

Thoughts: An Aluminum drive shaft is lighter than stock and will decrease rotational mass and free up horsepower.



Windstar Intake
- 96 through 98

Places to find: www.vapauto.com
www.crtperformance.webs.com

Thoughts: The Windstar intake is a composite intake manifold with longer runners. It is also lighter than the stock
manifold it has been dyno tested to around 7hp and 15tq.


3rd Tier
---------------
Into the Engine
---------------

All 3rd Tier Mods can be found at the following:

• www.supersixmotorsports.com
• www.delkperformance.com
• www.rpm-mustangs.com

Ported Intakes
- Upper
- Lower

Thoughts: Ported intakes are great modifications. Smoothing casting imperfections, increasing the port entry size,
all allow air to flow into the engine faster. When you can add more air you can add more fuel and get more power.

Ported Head

Thoughts: Ported heads follow the same rules as the intakes to make power. Smoothing the intake side, valve
guides, exhaust side, and bowl work. Here you can also add bigger valves, different rockers, etc.


Camshaft

Thoughts: to make this simple and not confuse anybody a the lobes (egg shapes) on a camshaft make your valves open
and close. A performance camshaft is usually spec'd for your setup and where you want your powerband to be.



4th Tier
------------
Power Adder
------------


SuperCharger Kit
- Procharger: www.procharger.com
- Vortech www.vortechsuperchargers.com
- m112
- m90 *94-98 only

Thoughts: Superchargers are a great way to add 80-100+rwhp. The two types available to us are the centrifugal
(vortech/procharger) and the positive displacement m112 thanks to a few creative minds(mysteed/lilroush) and SSMS.
The installs are pretty straight forward. Superchargers are driven buy the accessory belt (or sometimes a secondary
belt) and because of this are less efficient. The centrifugal units will provide boost at around 2.8-3000 rpms. The
Positive displacement unit will provide power from as low as 1.5k rpms. For the 94-98 guys the eaton m90 or thunderbird
s/c swap is an option for you, the m90 has the same characteristics of the positive displacement blower and will give and
instant boost, it's the m112's little brother. You can find detailed information about the m90 swap here: http://3.8mustang.com/forum/showthread.php?t=142607

Currently to get the M112 "kit" You would need to speak with either LilRoush or Mysteed. They both can be found on
www.3.8mustang.com/forums. If your nice they might put together an entire kit for you.

Turbocharger Kit
- www.TMATURBO.Com

Thoughts: Turbochargers are driven buy exhaust gases and are another way to bolt on 100+ horsepower. Unlike the
supercharger you can control boost from a waste gate or even an electronic waste gate and set it on the fly. Turbo
installs are normally more complex than superchargers because of more parts. Andy at www.tmaturbo.com has produced
kits that have made 500+ rwhp and taken cars down to low 12 second quarter miles on a stock motor. Turbos do have
some lag but boost can be made to come on as low as 2500rpm with the properly sized turbocharger.


Nitrous Oxide
- NX
- Nitrous Oxide Systems
- Zex

Thoughts: Nitrous Oxide, sometimes referred to as "naws" "nos" "nawzzz", is a gas that when heated splits into oxygen
and nitrogen. When more oxygen becomes available you can add more fuel and thus more power. Nitrous also cools the
intake air which increases air density and provides more air inside the cylinder. Nitrous installs cam be as simple
as mounting a bottle, running lines to the engine compartment, adding a solenoid and drilling into the cai for the
nozzle. a 75wet shot is the safest shot and seems to be the most popular. Direct port kit have been custom made as
well for those with a bigger need for speed.

 

Support Tier
-------------

Fuel Injectors

Thoughts: If you have decent amount of air coming into your motor you will want to upgrade your injectors for two
reasons. One to keep your engine from running lean and your engine internals off the highway, and 2 to provide fuel
and get you maximum reliable power.


Fuel Pump

Thoughts: If your engine needs to supply more fuel, and your looking at bigger injectors a bigger fuel pump should be
something you look at. the 310lph pump seems to be the most popular mod for the 99-04, and the 255lph walbro is an
option for the 94-98. If you have a 99-04 you can upgrade your pump at any time as it will only supply the fuel that
the injectors ask for.

Mass Airflow Sensor (MAF)
-C&L
-SCT BIG AIR
-L(Lightning) Maf

Thoughts: When your able to move more air into your motor you may want to upgrade the size of your MAF. The maf determines how much air is entering the motor and tells the ECU how much fuel to mix with this. If your pegging your MAF (more air than it can read) this can be dangerous. MAF's range from 73mm on up.


Brakes

Thoughts: If you have big power and can't stop it what good does it do you. The most popular brake upgrade is the bullit/
cobra brake upgrade. It provides you with bigger twin piston calipers, and bigger rotors for some added stopping power.
If you need extreme stopping power, baer and the more popular "big brake" companies make brake kits for us.


Tune
- Hand held (SCT, SNIPER, DIABLO)
- Mail Order "canned"
- Dyno Tune

Thoughts: This is one of those things that you SHOULD NOT skip out on. A tune can help you at any stage from firming up your
automatics shifts, to removing the speed limiter. From the factory cars are tuned to be reliable [for the most part] and you
can still release some power buy getting a handheld tuner or canned tune on a stock vehicle. When you start getting deeper
into the 2nd tier mods its probably time for a hand held tuner and a canned tune. You can get a canned tune from JOE at
www.tricktuners.com their are other options avaiable also. When you start getting into the 3rd and 4th tier you should look
into getting your car dyno tuned for the most power and reliability available. This is where everything is tied together


Forged
- Pistons
- Rods

Thoughts: If your making big power, planning to make big power, or have scattered your interenals on US-90 then
you probably need forged rods and pistons. Forged internals are built to withstand big horsepower.


Pushrods

Thoughts: If your making big horsepower, and running high rpms you don't want to bend a pushrod. Hardened pushrods
should serve as some security for you.

8.8 Rear End

Thoughts: If your making big horsepower, and plan on heading to the track to shut the v8 guys up and leave them
looking at your tail lights and listening to the 6 cylinder symphony this is what you need. 8.8upgrade, with 31spline
axles and a trutrac is what you need to keep your rear end safe and in place.



Auto Trans Tier.
----------------

Shift Kit
-Jmod
-Transgo

Thoughts: If you have an automatic mustang and are tired of getting picked on this is the first place to look. IMO the Jmod
valve body is the best way to go. You will get fermer shifts for installing one of these mods.

Stall

Thoughts: Adding a stall to an auto is sort of like adding a clutch. The stall will allow you to brake the car up to stall speed and launch
the car. Normally you won't get the entire stall speed. (3500stall stalls out at 3k).


Shifter
-B&M HAMMER

Where to get: http://www.bmracing.com/index.php?id...bcat=1&pid=356

Thoughts: This is the closest thing to having a manual you can get. This will allow you to up and downshift.




Suspension Tier
------------------

Lowering Springs

Thoughts: Lowering springs increase handling buy moving your cars center of gravity. They are also great modification
for improving the looks of your car. You can find anywhere from a 1" drop to an extreme 3" drop

Shocks & Struts

Thoughts: You can find shocks and struts for whatever your trying to accomplish. Better handeling, smoother ride,
all out drag, auto cross, circle track. Another great modification


Other Suspension

Thoughts: Suspension modifications range from caster camber plates, sub frame connectors, Lower control arms (LCS)
upper control arms (uca) strut tower braces, shock tower braces, torque arms, jacking rails, etc. All of these
items contribute to making your car stiffer, handle better, and or bite down harder for increase traction.


Tire Tier
-----------

Street Tires

Thoughts: Stock tires do fine on a stock car but if your making some more power, or plan on crusing at high speeds
you should look into higher rated tires for your ride.

Drag Radials

Thoughts: Amazing traction, if you keep spinning and can't get your power to the ground besides suspension this is
where you should look. Nitto, Bfg, and Micky Thompson all make Drag Radials.

Slicks

Thoughts: If your heading to the track, need to launch high and hook hard this is what you should look for. I would recommend
an 8.8 rear end before you consider this.


Misc Tier
---------

Coil packs
- Accel
- Screamin Demon
- MSD DIS-4

Thoughts: If your making some power, want some extreme plug gap .065, or just need to replace the stock coil and want
to upgrade this is where you should look. The Accel and Screamin Demon will support almost all you need. For those extreme
racers the MSD DIS-4 will suit you also.

Plug Wires
- Stang Wires
- MSD super conductors
- Live Wires

Thoughts: Plug wires will provide a cleaner, smoother spark, and give you a clean look under the hood.

Muffler Sound Tier
------------------
Flowmaster Original 40s
Thoughts: Most "v8 like" sound, still has a slight raspt

Magnaflow Mufflers
Thoughts: Smooth sound, more raspt, more power than flowmaster

Mac Mufflers
Thoughts:"v8 like sound", slightly more raspy than flowmaster

Everything else
Thoughts: Seems to be very raspy "beefed up 4banger" type sounds.

* All sounds can change with mid pipe, and engine modifications *


Junk Tier
---------

Tornado Fuel saver

Thoughts: Increases horsepower and fuel 15%, don't we all wish. Unless your just itching to spend money and you
can't find anything to spent it on grab one of these. They make great paper weights, and if your mad you can
throw them at something.


Electric Supercharger

Thoughts: Aha, 30rwhp at the flip of a switch. The only problem with this is that this small fan can't possibily
provide the cfm to support an engine. Infact this might be a restriction to your intake path. Besides that it takes
about as much power as my award winning audio system.

Ebay Chip (resistor)

Thoughts: Its a resistor, it tricks your car into doing something it shouldn't. This is not what you want, grab a
handheld tuner instead.


Other Thoughts
---------------
* The brands mentioned in this thread are just some of the more common brands, their are usually more "brand names" for most of these parts.

* Your engine doesn't have to be bought all at one time, you can build up your short block(bottom end: rods,pistons,crank,etc) and at a later time put on ported heads, intakes, and a camshaft. You can also add rockers and push rods to your heads without porting.

* If you wan't to do a 4.2L the best thing would be finding a motor from an f150 and swapping it over in its entierty. However this can
be done with just the crankshaft and a few other minor parts.
Detailed Information: http://www.3.8mustang.com/forum/showthread.php?t=92629

* If you have a 94-98 the split port swap will be one of the biggest gains for you. Basically it will bring you up to the power of a 99-04.
You can currently get the split port swap kit from: www.supersixmotorsports.com or http://crtperformance.webs.com

* Power adder saftey on stock motor. Most people say 350rwhp is the absolute farthest you can take the stock internals and still be safe. This would be with a great dyno tune, and supporting fuel mods to make sure you don't go lean.

* Fully built motors: If your the type of person that doesn't feel like doing work, wants to have the baddest motor around town in a v6[and even put some of the v8's to shame] you can get a Fully built motor (tier3+supporting mods[forged pistons/rods), drop it in, and make anywhere between 240 and 260rwhp. You can get a Fully built 3.8/4.2/4.3L engine from: supersixmotorsports.com , www.delkperformance.com , www.rpm-mustangs.com, http://crtperformance.webs.com

 

What do they mean by like 28 spline and 31 spline for a traction lock? And also what do you think about the borla exhaust kit?

 

SSStang your other user name is VCS_SSStang? Never noticed until I looked at this thread and knew I saw it somewhere else other another forum

 

this was a hole lot of great info. thanks man

 

Gave it a quick read and it looks like you gave some great info. Seems to answer a lot of the basic questions and can give something for people to base some better questions off.

I vote Sticky!

 

Borla is expensive average exhaust IMO. pulled a catback off my friends 03 cobra and the damn thing that had only been on there maybe 2-3years was literally rusted to the mid-pipe.

had to take hammer and an hour of sweat to get that catback off.

stick with MAC or magnaflow..havent heard much yet about this new Pypes stuff but time will tell.

and he might be talking about the input shaft maybe on splines. could be wrong though.

 

i secone the sticky. great info.

 

oh i was wondering because my boyfriend said he had borlas on his gt (pictured below) and he said it was the best sound he had. so i can put a 8.8 31 spline t-lok on my v6? someone wants to sell me a used one for 150. By the way it is Great info. I just dont know anything about perfornance parts. Only body parts. But im done with the outside look of my car except that i wanted to get it painted two-tone. now i want to make my car sound good. someone was also selling a brand new cobra engine for 7000. i was thinking about it but i dont know anything as to what else i would need for it

 

That is a negative on the 8.8'' t-lock, you will need one for the 7.5'', you can find used ones out of Rangers. Also what sounds good on a Gt doesn't necessarily sound good/best on a V6. Borla is a bit on the pricey side too, maybe look at Mac or flowmaster for your 6. If you are seriously considering swapping a motor, start up your own thread since there is alot involved in that, and you will get more response.

 

she could do the 8.8, but she would have to do the whole nine yards axles and all.

best option though would be the 7.5 w/3.73's out of an explorer or ranger like you stated.

 

oh yeah, I know she could swap the 8.8 rear end, I was just saying she couldn't put 8.8 parts in the 7.5

 

Another vote for sticky

 

thanks

 

stangchick, why does your sig say RIP???

 

take a wild guess.

 

its a really long story but basically my bf and i were fighting in his stang while he was on the freeway and he tried to scare me by speeding and swerving through the lanes and a car cut him off and we hit the cement barrier at 136mph.....

 

holy crap! that is really really stupid on his part!

 

Argue with me eh? Ill show you! Ill make us both die in a fiery car crash!

 

 

i am driving the car and i will kill us all!!!!

 

Pretty much..yeah

 

DAM, that was dumb on his part....
sorry to hear that; had a sweet stang

 

bump back to top. i really think sticky

 

much of that information is already a sticky except the coil over packs but those are a waste of money performance wise

 

Make up your mind.

Coil overs or Coil packs?

 

sorry... i meant coil packs such as screamin demon.