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Ford Mustang (2004 and earlier)

2124 messages,  Last post on Aug 24, 2010 at 1:12 PM

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What is this discussion about? Ford Mustang, Coupe

Messages Page 199 of 213

#1981 of 2124 Re: 2000 mustang "GTR" [tacomaguy] by john_324

Sep 27, 2006 (2:43 pm)

Replying to: tacomaguy (Sep 27, 2006 12:44 pm)
Sorry, I'm afraid not. That midyear package is properly known as the "Spring Feature edition"...to which I referred earlier.
 
This special edition was for the GT only and, with the exception of the 17" wheels (standard at the time was 16"), was entirely cosmetic. There were no performance upgrades. The hood and side scoops were the ones used on the 1999 35th Anniversary edition. I think Ford made around 3000 Spring Feature GTs.
 
For reference, the only Mustang that came from the factory with a K&N filter (and a lot of other aftermarket perf. goodies) was the 2000 Cobra R, the last of the SN95 factory racers. Ford only uses the "R" designation on purpose-built racing models.
 
What you have is a individually-customized Mustang...a Mustang thing since the 1960s.
 
What do the galloping pony decals on the sides look like? Is is one horse, or a series of horses in a row, possibly fading out? Where are they positioned?

#1982 of 2124 Performance Goodies by beernut

Sep 28, 2006 (4:48 am)

Hey 324,
 
As mentioned, I am new to Mustangs and to this board, but have already noticed that you think about these cars more than the average guy. Perhaps you can advise me on what you call "performance goodies".
 
While discussing ways to eek a few more ponies out of my Pony, a Vette guy in my office said the easiest and cheapest for the boost would be a K&N air filter and hot wires and plugs.
 
What are your thoughts on these two items? With 66k on the factory wires/plugs, I am going to replace them anyway, but is "hotter" available that actually improves anything? In your opinion, does a K&N help or is it all marketing? Any other performance thoughts?

#1983 of 2124 Re: Performance Goodies [beernut] by john_324

Sep 28, 2006 (10:16 am)

Replying to: beernut (Sep 28, 2006 4:48 am)
K&N filter will help a little bit, but don't expect a big seat-of-the-pants boost though...biggest thing you'll notice is that the engine will "breathe" better and will rev more easily. Those K&N marketing numbers that show huge gains come from cars that also have every other concievable intake/exhaust modification..
 
An easy mod you can do right now though is to remove the airfilter silencer. It's that rubber cone on the filter housing that goes into the fenderwell. Some claim that removing it is worth a few HP...however, it is equally claimed that doing so will lose you a few TQ. So it's really a toss-up. It snaps on and off, so easy to experiment to see what you like best.
 
Plugs and wires are definitely a good bet. If you don't mind changing the plugs occasionally, go for copper plugs to replace the stock platinums...they'll give you better performance, but you'll have to change 'em more often.

#1984 of 2124 Re: Performance Goodies [john_324] by beernut

Sep 28, 2006 (11:46 am)

Replying to: john_324 (Sep 28, 2006 10:16 am)
What the heck... I'll try them all. One at a time, of course.

#1985 of 2124 Re: Performance Goodies [beernut] by john_324

Sep 28, 2006 (12:03 pm)

Replying to: beernut (Sep 28, 2006 11:46 am)
The filter and silencer question (with all the possible combintations of the two) is probably the most hotly debated SN95 Mustang issue on the internet...it's pretty funny actually how passionate people get about it.

#1986 of 2124 Re: Performance Goodies [john_324] by beernut

Sep 29, 2006 (5:03 am)

Replying to: john_324 (Sep 28, 2006 12:03 pm)
Passion is good, but over an air filter? Black VS White fuzzy dice, maybe... but air filters?

#1987 of 2124 Purchasing Help! by xeremeh

Sep 29, 2006 (9:25 am)

I've always been a fan of the Mustang, and have a few questions that I would like an answer too, and pretty pronto. I'm in a NEED situation for a car, and will be shopping around this weekend. I've done alot of my homework on Edmunds and around the other various car sites on the web, so have a decent idea on the all-around aspect, but just need a ltitle input from Mustang owners.
 
My price cap is currently set at $10,000, so most of my current ranges are 2000-2003 V6s with around 50-70k miles on them, or 1998-2001 v8 GTs with about 60-90k miles. Of course, being a young man in the Army with alot to show off, I'm all about the V8, but how much more practical is the V6, if at all? Newer year is always good, and with lesser miles, but is the V8 worth a few more years and a few more miles?
 
Also, automatic versus manual. My personal preference has always been manual, but I've not driven a true "muscle car" that's built to be that way. The Mustang is its own breed in that sense, I think, and when test-driving a 2003 V6 recently, the clutch pedal and shifter were abit.. vibrating. All of the CAR sticks I've had recently were smooth with little-none, so I'm not sure if it's just the car with normal transmission/engine vibration going into them, or it's something actually wrong.
 
Thanks in advance!

#1988 of 2124 Re: Purchasing Help! [xeremeh] by john_324

Sep 29, 2006 (9:52 am)

Replying to: xeremeh (Sep 29, 2006 9:25 am)
Overall, a V6 Mustang isn't outrageously more practical than the V8 version, though it does have its benefits: the V6 does get slightly better gas mileage, and the tires are cheaper and notably the insurance is often significantly lower (see below).
 
If you do get a V8, I'd suggest going for a 1999+...the 1998 engine is rated at 225 HP, whereas the 1999+ is 260. Unless, that is, you really like the '98 body style (which a lot of people do...as the years go by, I like it more and more).
 
Mustang manual transmissions indeed aren't sportcar-quality...they're more akin to what one would find in a pickup truck (To some of us, this is part of the car's retro charm...) But yeah, clutches are very stiff, shifters are notchy and vibration is the norm.
 
A few other things to consider (if you haven't already):
 
Insurance - You've said you're male and young...if you're single as well, you will generally find the insurance on the V8 model higher. Sometimes a little, sometimes a lot. Be sure to factor that in your calculations.
 
Condition - Check any used GT *very* carefully...because Mustangs are inexpensive performance vehicles, they tend to be really beaten on by their owners. GTs tend to be the victim of this more often than the V6s, but as there are more V6s on the road, statistically it might even out. In any event, a 60-90k GT can still be fine, just check it and the maintenance records extra-carefully. A good sign with Mustangs is a good interior...if an owner has kept up the interior, it's more than likely he's kept up the mechanical end of things. A trashed interior, however, does not bode well...
 
Good luck and hope you get one you like. They're great cars, and I've rarely met someone who regrets buying one, be it V6 or V8.

#1989 of 2124 Trying to help neighbor/friend.. by jimmj43

Oct 01, 2006 (12:12 pm)

who's young, impetuous and inexperienced. He owns an '88 5.0 'stang but gas is killing him, so he pounced on an '89 2.3 LX 'stang without test-driving it sufficiently. It was an "as-is" purchase from a fly-by-night used car dealership who won't give him his money back, but WILL charge him to repair the problem. To wit: It won't go into overdrive. Stock auto tranny. He's part of a struggling young couple, with infant, without the means to take any legal action - even to pay for the paperwork necessary to enforce the 72-hour "lemon law".
 
Should this guy be optimistic that a reasonable fix may be on the horizon, or should he begin searching U-Pull_it yards for a replacement. The dealership generously offered to do that for him and sell him the replacement tranny (delivered, even!), with a 1-year warranty for $750. He paid $800 for the car.
 
Thanks in advance for tips.

#1990 of 2124 Re: Trying to help neighbor/friend.. [jimmj43] by nghtshd88

Oct 01, 2006 (12:41 pm)

Replying to: jimmj43 (Oct 01, 2006 12:12 pm)
Let the dealership do it, at least they give him a warranty, I think its worth it...
 
About the V6 or V8 I believe the biggest problem with them both is the transmission(manual). The T-45's or T-5's do not hold up well, esp. if you powershift kiss it goodbye. Also if the previous owner put mods on it or if the tires are bald I would avoid it since the trans has probably been beaten up. A manual V6 may be better, lower insurance, gas and likely less wear. If it has a TKO trans thats good, they are alot stronger.

Messages Page 199 of 213

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