Newly Acquired '07 V6 Mustang w/ 95k miles. Modding questions.

Drew727

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This is my first thread as I am a new member and just purchased an 2007 V6 Mustang. It has 95K miles on it, normal wear but still runs/drives fine. I had it looked at before buying and was told I will need to replace the engine thermostat housing soon because it should be done for any '05-'09 Mustang reaching 100K miles (its not leaking yet). Also just normal maintenance (serpentine belt, fluids, rear gear oil, etc.) to be done. Other than that i was told it is in great shape for the mileage. I purchased this car because it kinda fell into my lap and as i just recently left my previous employer who was supplying me with a company truck to drive, I needed a reliable car and quick.
So now I'm curious if i can add some upgrades without risking engine life or if it is even worth it on a car nearly 10 years old with 95K miles. My question is their any risks to modding a vehicle of this age/mileage? I wont be looking to boost crazy HP, just looking to add rear end gears (3.73), CAI, throttle body, have it tuned and add an exhaust. Other than that maybe struts and coils? Any input would be appreciated!
 

stkjock

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frankly... IMHO, save your money on the mods and look to upgrade to a 2008+ V8 next year or two.
 

tjm73

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Rear gears won't hurt. Throttle body is waste IMO. A tune is "take it or leave it" at that power level. An exhaust might make it sound a little better. I wouldn't spend a ton on modding such a car. Gains are minimal and the power return on how much is spent is relatively low.

None of what you said would "hurt" the engine. If it is an automatic have the transmission fully serviced as soon as you can because they often are never serviced and they really should be. By fully I mean new filter and 100% fluid change including the convertor..
 

Drew727

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Gotcha @tjm73 Would you recommend anything else in the way of servicing? I will most likely go with the idea @stkjock advised however, most likely not for atleast 3-6 months so I need to make sure to keep the V6 in good working order.
 

tjm73

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Just open the owners manual and look at what should have been done at or near it's current mileage. If you can't say yes it has been done, do it. Probably soon due for plugs. Check the serpentine belt(s). Might need plug wires too. I think the V6 cars still had coil packs and the wires to connect to the plugs. Change all the fluids. Just the routine stuff.

Stir well and enjoy.
 

eighty6gt

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No risks at all

install a 5.3 LS, get some pop up pistons and have the heads ported @ texas speed, maybe a trailblazer SS intake would fit under the hood. There's an adapter kit to do a nissan CD009 behind the LS - but I'm using a toploader.

Good luck!
 

tjm73

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No risks at all

install a 5.3 LS, get some pop up pistons and have the heads ported @ texas speed, maybe a trailblazer SS intake would fit under the hood. There's an adapter kit to do a nissan CD009 behind the LS - but I'm using a toploader.

Good luck!

Unless passing emissions is ANY kind of concern
 

JimC

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It's cheaper to swap the rear end with an 8.8 inch from a 2005 to 2010 GT or Gt500, or any 2011 to 2014 Mustang instead of trying to build a 7.5 rear end. Plus you will have a stronger rear end.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
 

Torkair

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Check your front ball joints, inner and outer tie rod ends, control arm bushings, and strut mounts. These will make the difference between feeling like your driving a tired old dish sponge and actually driving a Mustang. It's unusually cheap to get a set of replacement GT500 lower control arms with bushings and ball joints over having the stock ones refreshed, and a lot less effort too.
 

Drew727

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Thanks for all the info guys! I will definitely perform the maintenance and then have to decide if im going to replace the rear-end or just add additions to the existing 7.75. As for the lower control arms i would go with the way @Torkair has recommended.
 

tjm73

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If you do all this maintenance and the cars runs well, it'll probably go another 75-100K

Years ago I had an all stock '98 GT that I drove 365/year and at around 110K I had the entire suspension redone including tie rods. I drove it almost another 50K before selling it to buy an '05 Mustang GT. Anyway, I was floored by the difference. It was almost like I had a new car. Best car I ever owned.
 

Drew727

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If you do all this maintenance and the cars runs well, it'll probably go another 75-100K

Years ago I had an all stock '98 GT that I drove 365/year and at around 110K I had the entire suspension redone including tie rods. I drove it almost another 50K before selling it to buy an '05 Mustang GT. Anyway, I was floored by the difference. It was almost like I had a new car. Best car I ever owned.

Hell yea! That's what I'm saying.
 

Joshiemitsue

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If you are going to replace the thermostat housing, I recommend investing in the aluminum housing. I am going on 5 years(just paid it off in 4 and a half) with my 08 and i have replaced it 3 times using the plastic housing. Yes, this is my daily driver. I bought it at 80k and now I'm sitting at 150k. *knock on wood* she is still running great. I do have a gas/air ratio issue that I'm trying to troubleshoot but so many factors can go into account for that. Anything you do to the car at this point will greatly improve it's performance if the engine does not get blown out. Like as they said before. Just do your normal maintenance and keep the engine/air/fuel system clean. (Seafoam does wonders). Do not invest in high quality performance parts unless you plan on keeping it till the day you or she dies. Just go with the "best bang for the buck type mods." AmericanMuscle.com is a great website to look into. They have payment plans and all now. You can get performance plugs/wire/coilpack for about 100-120 bucks. I have a v6 and I do not care. Best decision though was that i bought myself a flowmaster exaust and man i love her.
 

Drew727

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Awesome man, thanks for the input. I went to take my 07 mustang to get the transmission flushed/cleaned and was informed that my transmission crossmember was cracked almost in half! Ford wanted to charge me 500+ but i ordered one off ebay for 60$. I have since installed a new transmission crossmember but also an aluminium thermostat housing as i have heard the same feedback from others regarding the OEM plastic style ones wearing out again, so this should be a permanent fix.

Would you recommend getting new plugs/wires/coilpack at this point? My mustang is at almost at 96k at this point. Also when i was under the car changing the crossmember i noticed the transmission pan and bolt are highly corroded. So i should replace those but the issue is if i drain the fluid to remove and replace the old pan/bolt, ill have to spend whatever it costs to refill the trans. fluid just to take it to ford to have them empty it back out and charge me for additional fluid. Any input would be great. Also from what i have read im assuming i will need a tuner if i choose to put a 3.73 rear end gears in? Im going to definitely do a CAI and exhaust but anything else you would recommend? Like i said, any input or recommendations would be awesome, thanks!
 

Drew727

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Also, I forgot to add I hear a strange sound when i apply my breaks when the car is stopped. Almost as if i can hear a cable tensioning while I apply the peddle. Any idea what this might be and if it is a concern?
 

Joshiemitsue

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Also, I forgot to add I hear a strange sound when i apply my breaks when the car is stopped. Almost as if i can hear a cable tensioning while I apply the peddle. Any idea what this might be and if it is a concern?


I would start a whole new forum with that issue. I couldn't give you any clues. I am not a mechanical professional. I am learning as i go with my Mustang. lol
 

Joshiemitsue

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Awesome man, thanks for the input. I went to take my 07 mustang to get the transmission flushed/cleaned and was informed that my transmission crossmember was cracked almost in half! Ford wanted to charge me 500+ but i ordered one off ebay for 60$. I have since installed a new transmission crossmember but also an aluminium thermostat housing as i have heard the same feedback from others regarding the OEM plastic style ones wearing out again, so this should be a permanent fix.

Would you recommend getting new plugs/wires/coilpack at this point? My mustang is at almost at 96k at this point. Also when i was under the car changing the crossmember i noticed the transmission pan and bolt are highly corroded. So i should replace those but the issue is if i drain the fluid to remove and replace the old pan/bolt, ill have to spend whatever it costs to refill the trans. fluid just to take it to ford to have them empty it back out and charge me for additional fluid. Any input would be great. Also from what i have read im assuming i will need a tuner if i choose to put a 3.73 rear end gears in? Im going to definitely do a CAI and exhaust but anything else you would recommend? Like i said, any input or recommendations would be awesome, thanks!



It is a perfect time to replace the wires/plugs at this 96k if you are not sure if they weren't replaced recently. It does help slightly with ignition/horsepower/gas mileage. Spending high end on those aren't too pricy either. Coil packs can last the entire lifetime of the car but if you want a little better feel then find a new coil pack. Does not have to even be a high end performance one just to get a better feel.

On the tuner: You put your speedometer out of calibration because the ECU was designed with the factory gears if you were to put the new gears in. If you know someone who has a way to calibrate it, great! Otherwise, getting a tuner is the recommended option. Depending on the CAI, you would need to tune it as well. so try to install it all at once if you choose to do so! Some cheaper CAI don't need tunes but you will know when it messes with the ECU and code you. I have come across cases where they don't.

In the long run these little things do prolong the life and performance not just in the s197 but on any car. Just keep your ego in check when you pull up to a Shelby GT500 or Mach 1.
 

Drew727

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It is a perfect time to replace the wires/plugs at this 96k if you are not sure if they weren't replaced recently. It does help slightly with ignition/horsepower/gas mileage. Spending high end on those aren't too pricy either. Coil packs can last the entire lifetime of the car but if you want a little better feel then find a new coil pack. Does not have to even be a high end performance one just to get a better feel.

On the tuner: You put your speedometer out of calibration because the ECU was designed with the factory gears if you were to put the new gears in. If you know someone who has a way to calibrate it, great! Otherwise, getting a tuner is the recommended option. Depending on the CAI, you would need to tune it as well. so try to install it all at once if you choose to do so! Some cheaper CAI don't need tunes but you will know when it messes with the ECU and code you. I have come across cases where they don't.

In the long run these little things do prolong the life and performance not just in the s197 but on any car. Just keep your ego in check when you pull up to a Shelby GT500 or Mach 1.


Awesome thanks man. I'm going to do coil packs/wires/plugs first then move to do the CAI and rear gears at the same time like you recommend. Can't wait to start upgrading.
 

Dino Dino Bambino

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Can't wait to start upgrading.

Don't waste your money on upgrades. Just do the preventive maintenance, fix any existing problems, and save the money you would have spent on upgrades towards trading up to a GT later on.
 

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