Seeking Expert Advice on Modding 95 GT/vert

[1ARACE]

Well after searching through a lot of threads trying to find answers...yet I still haven't got the answers I'm looking.
I have a 95 GT/vert (automatic )with 24,000 miles on it. Looking to start modding for performance. So far I just put bassani x-pipe and flowmaster american thunder II on and a jet chip. I got a vortech supercharger on the way. What other mods would you recommend? I know a lot of people say heads, cam and intake...what are some good recommendations for those? Any good kits available? My dad was telling me I would need to run forged pistons if I start putting a lot of power to the car.

By adding the supercharger will I need to upgrade fuel efficiency too...better fuel pump or bigger injectors? or MAF?
A thought comes to mind as well...is it worth putting down that kind of cash on a stock motor though? by adding all new stuff. Is stock block, crank, and pistons good enough to take all the mods?

What I was planning on doing was getting 3:73 gears, bbk shortie headers and subframe connectors and maybe aluminum driveshaft. I have 255/35 yokohama sport tires which gives me great hookup. I'm not looking for a quarter mile car by no means...this is car I drive just in summer and like to play around with.
I'm looking for some good advice on what you would do in my position.

One last thing, is there a place you can find mechanics/shops, that are remotely close to you, who are mustang guru's that would do a good job installing and dynoing your car? I'd do it myself but I'd sure hate to mess up my car

Thanks if you got the time to respond.

[parrish5o]

OK, you're on the right track. The exhaust is a good place to start. Remember a motot is basically nothing but a big air pump, more air in more air out=more hp. Every part inside your motot is working together, so evert part you replace affects other parts inside your motot. So if you install a performance exhaust, you gain hp but you're really not getting the full potential until you open up the intake side with a MAF, throtle body and intake. To get full potential from those mods you need a more aggresive cam, with a cam you need gears. You get the picture. To do it correctly takes a mythotical approach, don't just open up an advertisement and start picking. Don't believe everything the vendors tell you about their parts. Just because something says "bolt on 25hp" don't think you're that lucky. The numbers they claim don't mean much so don't pay much attention to them. Do your homework, study the Mustang mags, talk to the Mustang guys, and keep up with these forums. Ask questions, I've been into Mustangs for about 10 years and I love to share any info I can and I still have alot to learn. As for a blower, an 8lb on a stock motor should work fine on it's own but add heads, intake, a cam, and more fuel will be necessary. Then forged pistons and a main support will be useful. I run 3:73s in my car, a little low for the interstate but they cruise really well at about 65. There is a huge variety of aftermarket patrs out there so learn whats what before you dive in, and do yourself a favor and learn to do as much as possible yourself. When I bought my car I could change the oil, now I do everything but the machine and port work. Why pay $45 an hour for someone else to work on your project? Keep us posted.

[GTStang]

If you ordered a Vortech S/C kit for your car the fuel and chip situation should be all set until you start adding heads and intake etc..,

As far as exhuast goes with the addition of the S/C I would skip equi-shorties and go striaght to long tubes. Your gonna have a lot of extra exhuast gas thanks to that S/C.

Subframe connectors alway sa good mod along with gears.

As far as looking for heads, cams, intake packages. I lot of guys with S/C like the Holley Systemax cause it's a kit and it's large intake ports. I'm not a big fan of it and thier are better set-ups but it's a good S/C set-up that saves you from not matching parts correctly plus overall it tends to be cheaper.

[1ARACE]

I've been combing over lots of stang forums and tech sections and seems h/c/i is a good first step. I'm trying to form a goal and get this right the first time I do it. After reading a lot of info I think I will go ahead and smoke my visa and get h/c/i...but now if I do this what else should/need I do? My biggest concern is adding on in one area then being too weak in another area that the car wont run right or I will break something because I beefed up one area too much while neglecting another.
If I put new h/c/i on, what then will I need to upgrade? Fuel delivery? Tranny?

I've read in different places that people are using the Holley Systemax II package...so this is good bang for the buck? I'm looking for a set-up that will still be somewhat fuel efficient...I dont want to get too wild and be getting 10mpg...its everyday driver during the summer.

One last question...your best guess...what would it cost to have h/c/i, headers, gears and supercharger put on? I have never done it before and I don't have the tools to do it with, nor the know-how.

[HiFlow5 0]

Before you go crazy with h/c/i-s/c combo, there are a few other areas that your really need to address first and foremost!

#1, gears! For an automatic go with 4.10's. The stock gears sucks, especially in a SN95 vert auto. You got the worst of all worlds there.
#2, that stock automatic is really hurting any performance your going to be looking for. I would get anywhere from a 2400 to 3000 rpm stall converter, nice trans cooler, and a shift kit.
#3 complete that exhaust system. I'd stay away from equal lengths. Unequals will be fine or even longtubes would work well.

If you do steps #1, #2 and #3, you will notice a GREAT increase in how the car drives and reacts. This will also create a base platform when you get into the engine work.

Now to the engine. I would hold off on a blower for now. Go with your h/c/i combo, to get things rolling. I would suggest AFR 165's heads w/ 1.6 roller rocker, Trick Flow stage 1 cam, and either an Edelbrock or TrickFlow intake. Now don't forget that a larger MAF meter and TB will definitely help, along with some fuel system upgrades. One you get use to the new found power, and your charge card recovers, then look at different types of supercharges that will best suit you.

[eillob]

I got a 94 GT conv, best improvement was difinately the gear change. I have a stick so I went with 3.73's Next came BBK shorties and off road H-pipe that really woke things up. However my advice to you is to go with an x pipe instead. I think heads and cam should be your next move.

[1ARACE]

To upgrade my tranny with stall converter, cooler and shift kit...is it worth the money...or should I just convert to 5-speed? Is the automatic stock tranny that bad? I wish it was a 5-speed...thats the only thing I really dont like about the car, but seeing how I dont know how to convert it....im sure it will cost a lot of money to pay someone to switch it...and thats hoping they dont screw up my car. Not to mention im sure a new manual tranny is costly. What exactly does stall converter do? And whats the shift kit gonna do? I hate asking such newbie questions...but i'm not really for sure. I'm guessing the shift kit makes your tranny shift harder and more direct?
Im having trouble finding someone who can install the parts,that is good with stangs, and can burn a chip and dyno the car for me in northwest ohio. I wish I had the time to learn how to do the stuff myself...but I just dont have the time...going full time college and working 30 hours a week pretty well sucks up all my time.
Far as the supercharger goes, its already paid for...so i'm stuck with that.
By the way, rough estimate, how much would stall converter, shift kit, and tranny cooler run? what are some good brand names to go with? I think im gonna have to hold off on h/c/i until next year it seems...i'm not gonna be able to stretch my visa that far, lol.

HiFlow, you were right about one thing I seen you say in another post...regarding posting on other stang sites, like stangnet, you definitely dont get the quality feedback like you get here. I posted this same post on stangnet to see what kind of feedback I would get there, and it wasnt squat compared to here to be honest with you. After about 8 hours time like 30-35 posts had piled on mine and it was pretty much lost at the bottom of third page.
My dad is into racing, but he only knows chevy's and the old school stuff...he doesnt know about all the computer, fuel-injection and the new technology out on cars...me neither far as that goes...but im learning slowly...so its good to be able to turn somewhere for advice, lol...and he dont have the time to help me work on my car either.
I used to have a 69 camaro ss w/396...and I could remotely work on that...pretty simple...but this new stuff makes my head spin.

Anyway...this post is getting too long...thanks again for the great advice, I appreciate it...its helping me define my goal and best path to it...if my stang could thank you it prob would too, lol.

Heres a link to pictures of my car on mustangworld.com if your interested.
http://www.mustangworld.com/ourpics/News/select2851.htm

last year i blew my money on rims/tires/hood and lil exterior/interior customization...and yeah those are Marine Corps license plates.

[HiFlow5 0]

Yes, upgrading the tranny is well worth the money!! When I was first modifying my car, I went just the motor route, new motor with everything expect for new heads. After it was done, I was still getting spanked by mildly modifying cars of all kinds. After I installed the gears and a stall converter, I was shocked by how much quicker the car felt. The stall converter really helps in raising the rpms to a more usable, performance friendly band. I persuaded my buddy to do the gear and converter bit too, he was skeptical at first, but really was happy with the performance he gained. I bet right now you have a very hard time peeling out when just massing the peddle down, consider that a thing of the past.

The most expensive part will be buying a decent converter, that can be anywhere from $300 to $900 depending on what brand you buy. The shift kit, will firm and quicken up the lazy shifts, but since you have an AODE, I think there's an electronic shift kit for it. A trans cooler will be a must, cause the converter will create more heat then normal.

Good luck in whatever you choose.