Setup opinions?

M

MG Davis

Registered
This is all stuff I have already ordered, still debating on model or brand, parts already here, or done. Opinions? Anything else I can do with, say, another $500-1K, focused on further perfomance mods? I'm thinking maybe a 100-125 shot, but I'm leery of NOS in general, preferring something more 24/7 applicable. Yes, all the basic maintenance stuff is covered already, Mobil 1, copper plugs, etc...

Drivetrain ...
3.73's with trac-loc
1 pc. driveshaft from a '93
Magnaflow dual in/out, gutted 3rd cat, straight pipes
JMOD and 1/2 & 2/3 upgrades
Mercon V (of course)
Airbox mod or CAI
chip (still debating which)

Other stuff ...
18" chrome wheels with 225(f) and 245(r) Nittos
Slightly illegal tint
drilled and slotted rust resistant rotors
painted calipers
LSC grille

Pics are in the rides section (97 base Toreador/ebony). So whatcha think, and where should I go from there?

Regards,

Michael
 
RE: Setup opinions?

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So whatcha think, and where should I go from there?
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Whatcha plan on doing with it? Daily driver? Show & Go? Lots of options to choose and consider. Check the link in my sig for some possible mods to consider.
 
RE: Setup opinions?

Mostly daily driver, but I want to take it to the strip a few times when it's done. ;-) I'm also thinking about using part of the last mod bucks for some steel 15's and drag slicks for the rear on strip day.
 
RE: Setup opinions?

[div class="dcquote"][strong]Quote[/strong]
Mostly daily driver, but I want to take it to the strip a few times when it's done. ;-) I'm also thinking about using part of the last mod bucks for some steel 15's and drag slicks for the rear on strip day.
[/div]

3.73s are probably best for a daily driver with a fair amount of highway commute, but I do not regret 4.10s at all.

Personally, I think steel wheels and slicks are overkill. A good used pair of painted 10 spokes or snowflakes with DOT rated drag radials would be all you need for the trip to the track. With just bolt ons at a fair track, I don't think slicks would be essential IMHO.
 
RE: Setup opinions?

i pulled 60' times in the 1.9x range with drag radials. I have a 3200 stall and 4.10's. Slicks with your mods would probably just slow you down.
 
RE: Setup opinions?

All the things in the topic "other stuff..." can be deleted, they won't do diddly. As to chip, try the SCT custom chip. Driveshaft is iffy. The MMX is a better choice so if you skip the "other stuff..." you'll be able to afford the MMX, which WILL make a difference.
 
RE: Setup opinions?

Hey, Bill,

Well, all the stuff in the "other" category is done, except the grille, which I'm not really sure on. While I'm going to do some performance mods, I do want to personalize it a bit. And down here, tint is a necessity with a black interior! Nothing wrong with a little dress up, so long as it isnt ricey, right?

The driveshaft was kind of an afterthought. General opinion is that 3.73's dont need the MMX shaft, and I got a deal on a one piece from a 93, figuring it cant hurt, so long as it's in balance.

Any other ideas you have for where else to go with the car?

Thanks,

Michael
 
RE: Setup opinions?

It's not an imbalance issue so much as it's a resonance issue. The '93 driveshaft might work, and it might not. It's worth a try though, if you got a deal on it. If you drive over 90 mph frequently you might want an MMC shaft anyway.

The cosmetic stuff it a matter of personal taste. Tint is great. I personally like my stock wheels but i've seen some really nice aftermarket wheels too (as well as some that aren't so nice). Painting the calipers isn't a bad idea if you have open style wheels. But i'd steer clear of drilled or slotted rotors. They don't improve stopping power, and they introduce new potential failure modes for the brakes. But as long as you realize that, if you want them because they look cool, so be it.

One caution. If you have different size tires front to rear, your traction control will not work. Get 245's all around.

If you want a chip make sure it's from an SCT dealer.

For other mods, i'd suggest a higher stall torque converter and a cobra intake. Headers are a great mod also but are expensive and are a LOT of work. Nitrous is a good way to go fast for relatively cheap but it's not really legal on the street. There may be some decent gains from an electric water pump also.
 
RE: Setup opinions?

My 'other' list changes all the time. From pulleys to electric water pumps, from ignition coils to timing adjusters, and on and on and on...

Be aware while most mods will vary from car to car as far as effectiveness, the combination of applied mods is usually the determining factor as to the overall results. Some mods complement others while other mods may be rendered literally useless by others.

Usually what happens in my case, one mod leads to the necessity of another mod thus doubling or tripling its' cost. ;)
 
RE: Setup opinions?

i think w/ minor mods l.t. headers are a waste but only w/ if you get you heads portd & polished to use the almost full potention al of the l.t. a aftermarket d.s. is worth its gold in et's since it drops wieght on the d.s. and lets it spin fast then stock ones. i wish they made aftermarket flywheels. i could have sworn they did yrs ago for the tbird.
 
RE: Setup opinions?

do you talk like that or do you just not know how to type?

With minor mods long tubes are still worth a good 20 hp and 20 ft lbs.

An aftermarket driveshaft reduces vibes, but the reduced weight has very little effect on performance because of the small diameter.

The flywheel in an automatic car is called a flexplate for some reason. And it's already lightweight. If you upgrade to an aftermarket torque converter, most are significantly smaller (and hence lighter) than the stock torque converter and will give the same effect that a lighter flywheel would in a stick car.
 
RE: Setup opinions?

Yeah, I got it for cheap from a guy parting out his 93 here. As lon as it's in good shape, it cant be worse than the 2 piece I have. Dont spend a whole lot of time above 90, eventually just hope to spend about a hundred yards at a time at that speed ... right before hitting the traps, ya know? ;-)

The exterior stuff is for show, but I think it adds to the beauty of the car, not ricey at all. Of course the Riceboys think they're making their cars look better, so it's all a matter of (good) taste. I got the rotors mostly because they are more rust resistant, and should look cleaner than the rusty stock ones. If they dont work at least as well, they go in the trash. THe calipers will be body color. Always had a thing for body color accents like that. Rotors and calipers really show with these wheels, so I want them looking as nice as the car itself. Here they are as current...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v396/MGDavisOrlando/IM000664.jpg

ugh...
 
RE: Setup opinions?

I agree with you. When I was considering what wheels to get, I didn't want them too open cause the brakes on my car are just ugly.

And I do like the combo of nice shiny things and performance. If you want a good example of both - take a look at Driller's car.
 
RE: Setup opinions?

I'd recommend an upgrade to '02 GT MAF. Much better transfer function and pretty inexpensive.

I would also nix the 93 Driveshaft in favor of the MMX. The '93 DS's reputation is greater than its actual performance.

SCT chip or flasher for sure... no other choice makes sense.. but be careful where you get the chip, not all SCT dealers are created equal.

The MMX will run you around $450 direct from the manufacturer. The MAF should be under $160... the chip with a single program should run $325...

Nix the CAI and modify the GT airbox to work, or make yourself a custom sealed airbox around a cone filter with 4" tube to the grille.

Heck, I forgot, with the SCT chip, you can drop a degree range spark plug and put a 180* t-stat, and get a bit more spark added to the tune. And if you tell the SCT dealer 93 octane, he can add a bit more spark (if he's legit).


1996 Thunderbird LX
Renegage Heads / CompCamns / OEM Cork NPI intake
245rwhp
13.71

Presently Morphing in Atlanta
 
RE: Setup opinions?

Now *that* was a densly packed post, in terms of good advice. So where do you suggest to look for the Mustang MAF and airbox? That famous auction site?

The chip thing is a long story. All I can say for now is a well-known outfit wants to use my (low mileage, and for right now, stock drivetrain) car for a test mule, and the deal is interesting...

For what I'm paying on the '93 shaft, it's worth it to take a shot before I blow $500 on an MMX. Stock, I have absolutely *no* driveline vibration up to 100+. If I was doing 4.11+ gears, I'd go straight to MMX, but with the 3.73's I was going to give it a chance like it is, until the '93 shaft came along.

Thanx for the tip on the 93 pump gas. Red Giant only gets super premium anyway, but I hadn't heard you could chip tune to that octane.

Regards,

Michael
 
RE: Setup opinions?

It is not the size of the MAF, but the electronics.. in 2002 Ford GREATLY improved the electronics of the MAF used in the Mustang. Faster transfer rates provide better information to the EEC to control A/F mix.. It is a worthwhile mod, but the chip/eec has to be programmed for it. You cannot bolt the MAF on and expect it to run on your old program.. it won't... that is why the time to make the change is when you install a chip..

-mike


1996 Thunderbird LX
Renegage Heads / CompCamns / OEM Cork NPI intake
245rwhp
13.71

Presently Morphing in Atlanta
 
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