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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 36 of 213

#347 of 2124 My 23 Year Wait is over! by blackpony

Dec 31, 2002 (11:57 pm)

Hello everyone, this is my first post although I have been enjoying this chat board. Last Saturday, the Saturday before Christmas, my long 23 year wait finally ended. You see, years ago, when I was 19, I purchased a 1974 Mustang II Ghia (leather, landau roof-you remember it). At that time all I wanted was a Ford Mustang and it did not even matter to me that this one was brown in color. I managed to purchase the Ghia and it was one fast car (especially for a 19 year old). I married, and ended up selling it at a really cheap price (boo hoo) for moving expense money to Alabama, and my husband and I ended up living there only 6 months before getting transferred. To make my sadness worse, the person who bought it purchased it for his 17 year old son (imagine) and I was later told that in the "end" the car didn't even resemble the original car because he had wrecked it several times and did not take care of it (horrors). Anyway, my husband promised me for years that someday I would own another one. The years have come and gone, and I have driven many makes and models through the years, most recently concluding with a mini-van so you get the picture. Several weeks ago, this became an urgent matter--Mustang or nothing. The Saturday before Christmas, less than 2 weeks ago, my 23 year wait ended and I purchased a 2003 (it's Bad and Black). My 16 year old talked me into getting the black and I am so happy that I did-it is hands down the most beautiful car I have ever owned. I just can hardly believe it is in my driveway. The comfort is awesome, the craftsmanship is superior and the ride is smooth and powerful--the ponys are screaming for the gas pedal. I certainly did not have to convince myself on this one--Ford has done the '03 right-it's a beautiful vehicle. Love the spoiler on the back too. My dream car 4 sure. Well, thanks for reading, and I want to wish all my fellow Mustang Owners a Blessed 2003.

#348 of 2124 Congratulations Black Pony by midlifer

Jan 01, 2003 (7:15 am)

I also waited a long time to spoil myself. I had owned a 1967 vert. 83 G.T. 85 G.T. and then i grew up for about 15 years, or so i thought. I turned 40 (ouch) in Oct. and was at the dealership a week later, I needed a fix of youth i guess. I certainly have owned better made and optioned out cars (German,Japanese)but this is the most fun to drive one i have had in a long time. I have a 2003 Trueblue G.T. If you are like myself it was tourcher that first 1000 miles not letting those ponys run to the red line just once. As you bring the revvvvs up to around 3500 you just dont want to stop there!! its a sickness thats in my genes from Dad who had lots of Muscle cars in his day (65 GTO,66Mustang gt350 to name a few its his fault)
Anyway enjoy and dont forget to change that oil after those first 500 miles! it comes quick and make sure you add 5w-20 oil "as required" or until someone on this site finds out if we can put something else in it? There are many debates about that! I did read on-line that this light of a weight "does not" mean less protection!!

#349 of 2124 Question for the Expert panel by midlifer

Jan 01, 2003 (8:13 am)

I removed my silencer a month or so ago and initially it seemed quicker,or at least more responsive throttle wise and much more Howling from under the hood for sure!! Now it seems to be a little flat on acceleration ,almost like it doesn't snap you head as quick? I thought i read some time ago on this site that some one had stated that removing the Silencer does not increase performance it actually decreases it??
any thoughts? I think i am just going to break down and put a Mac cool Air intake on it anyway but i was still wondering if i'm getting used to having a fast car again,and its finally broken in 2,700 miles and its just a little looser than it was when i made the change with only around 800 miles on it?

#350 of 2124 by demonspeed

Jan 01, 2003 (9:38 am)

There is absolutely nothing wrong with removing that silencer. It's such a bottle neck (as you all can see). Opening that up is a drastic improvment, and although you might not feel it, it's there. A good replacment filter such as a K&N is a good choice to go along with it if you don't plan on a true intake, but since you are mentioning one, i'd do it. It'll brighten the engine bay up and add a couple ponies.

#351 of 2124 Thanks Demon by midlifer

Jan 01, 2003 (11:21 am)

I was wondering when you buy the Mac cold air unit does it come with a Filter? I did replace the Origanal with a K&N the first week i bought it did i waist $50.00 if i go to the Mac unit?
And if it Does not fit the Mac System I have a 2000 Expedition 5.4 Triton will it fit that? I will have to check a local AutoZone book to see if its the same size,or better yet pull it out and compare! Dahhh.

#352 of 2124 CAIs by jeffer2

Jan 01, 2003 (12:17 pm)

Happy New Year everybody!
 
For people who installed CAIs on their Stangs, what brand did you get? On one of the Stang sites, alot of people like the Densecharger.
 
Congrats Black Pony! Did you get a GT? Five-speed or auto?
 
Later - Jeffer2

#355 of 2124 "Stay from those Windows, that's Why." by americanflag

Jan 01, 2003 (3:03 pm)

Anyway, MidL there are several other discussions on that forum you can look at. My take is that there may or may not be a small horsepower loss (or gain). But I love the sound, so I am happy. Whatever effect it has had on hp has been small. They also say that shaving the silencer like you did is probably the best option. I think maybe you just have the bug!
 
I am very happy with the change because the sound increase that resulted gives the car enough immediacy that I don't feel the need to do the exhaust right away. My pocketbook appreciates not having to sell out $600 for the exhaust just yet

#356 of 2124 by demonspeed

Jan 01, 2003 (9:41 pm)

You will get a K&N cone unit. It'll be very easy to install as I did it on my friends 99 GT. It's definetly arguable wheither or not a CAI works or not (I have one on my 93 that didn't seem to make any difference), and they say you might lose power due to the fact the metal heats up and causes a reverse effect of what it's designed to use, but I didn't notice a loss or a gain either way. My friend with the 99 said there was a gain and I have another friend with an 02 V6 I removed the silencer out of and he said it was noticable with that.
 
Either way, the best place to start is to get the thing breathing better, so opening up the intake one way or another is the best place to start. I would then definetly look into a catback and x/h pipe. I would highly reccomend long tube headers with the 4.6 if you plan at all on replacing the stock manifolds as the shorty headers for the 96+ are not hardly effectively noticable to increase power to justify the cost and time to install them. I personally would do the intake, catback, h/x-pipe (I have an offroad X on my 93) and then go with a set of pulley's. You should definetly be very close to the 13 second range with those assuming you can cut good times (like 2.2 60' or better). I would also HIGHLY suggest an after market shifter such as one by Steeda (what I have) or Pro 5.0. Either way, good start with the "mod bug". Mine just cost me $700 bucks as I just purchase a Trick Flow Track Heat intake manifold and Accufab 70mm throttle body, i'm hoping for some AFR 165 heads soon as well. I will be heading for 12's before this next summer is over, oh yes, I will

Messages Page 36 of 213

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