i actually just found this forum a couple days ago and figured i'd introduce myself. my name is josh and im a typical noob i guess...i just bought my v6 about 3 weeks ago and have since become somewhat obsessed with it. anyway here are a couple pictures of it.
i dont know a whole lot about cars and improving them so what are some mods i should look at to start with? (keep in mind im a full time student and work part time as a personal trainer so $ is an issue)

anywah thanks

 

welcome to the forum. a V6 can be a fun and quick car. when looking for parts and mods, just make sure you do your research. is the car stock? did the previous owner do something to it? what year is it? it looks like a 1999 judging from the 35th anniversary emblems.

idk what kind of condition you got your car in, but i'd rotate the tires, replace the fuel filter, maybe flush the radiator, and get a new air filter, and check the brake pads. generally, before someone sells their car they DON'T do that, so it would be worth it if you want to keep the car running well.

don't bother with getting a cold air intake. when u replace the air filter, get a K&N one and remove the air silencer. mods like exhaust, under drive pullies, cold air intake don't add much, if any horsepower on a V6. if you say you are strapped for cash, just save and wait to get rear end gears and a tune.

 

Welcome! looks good. cant wait to see a few mods.
Another red stang member everybody

 

Nice mustang man. i would get gears and a tuner as first mod aswell... i wish i did the same but i wanted to get rid of stock rims and crappy tires ill get it soon though.

 

thanks yall. its an 04, and its actually in really great condition. i just put new tires on it because the ones on there when i bought it wouldnt hardly hold air and there was almost no tread. so the cai is useless then for a v6? if i replace the filter, are you saying just leave off the plastic cover or what?
i believe everything is stock, except i guess the hood scoop since its not a gt, from what i've read on here i dont think the scoops come stock on v6's

EDIT: also, i dont really know much about this stuff...so what type of gears would you recommend? i saw on the site here they have like 4.10 or some other numbers...what do those mean and what would be best? (mines a 5 speed manual)

 

yeah, take off the plastic cover (silencer). the cai is basically useless on ANY mustang. they give like, 5 rwhp, which in my opinion, is not worth $180.

for gears, the rule of thumb is 3.73s for a manual, and 4.10s for automatics, although many ppl will tell you to go 4.10s or bust. it depends on what kind of driving you do. the numbers are a ratio e.g. 3.73:1, meaning that the drive shaft will turn 3 and (almost) three quarter turns before the wheels turn a full rotation. if you want a fun car to drive around in, get the 3.73s. you can always change them in a few years when you get bored with them. you will also need a tuner to correct the speedometer. look on americanmuscle.com by far the best website for mustang enthusiasts.

also, get yourself a new shifter for a better feel while driving.

 

alright cool...how much would the whole deal (gears and tuner) set me back?

and by shifter do you mean short shifter? i've been reading some threads on here and people are talking about these a lot. what exactly is so good about them? maybe because my mustang is the first manual i've ever driven i guess i maybe dont notice that the shifts arent very smooth?

 

exterior, You HAVE to get mach1 grill delete and chin spoiler... and rims but thats expensive, I feel you on the student and part time thing.. plus I pay for all gas, car, insurance so.. engine, just get the 60 dollar kn filter and remove air silencer.. cai is Waste O money... then you could what ever.

 

shop by me that i do all my work told me about $450 for gears with the install. a tuner runs you about $380. go with SCT X2 for the tuner.

yes, i mean short throw shifter. my first mustang was manual and i had the stock shifter for about two years, and i changed it. man, what a difference. i just got a 2002 GT, and within two weeks i swapped out the shifter.

give these guys a call: http://www.jmschip.com/shop.php they're by you and they have a mustang dynojet, so they've got to be legit.

 

welcome to the forums man. if you really want a CAI, the $70 one from American Muscle is the perfect CAI. works just as well as the BBK ones, and it aint that much more than getting the K&N filter.

(wish i had a 5 speed at times...)

 

Welcome. You'll learn a lot here if you hang around. Nice ride

 

cool man ill check them out

thanks a lot guys for the welcome and all the help...ill keep you updated on everything i do to the car