Next Mod - Suggestions Welcome

[tmcolegr]

I find it hard to believe that I am somewhat at a loss for ideas for the next round of mods for my daily driver. I am always planning 3 to 4 mods down the road, but I'm out of ideas. Seems like I have reached a crossroad of either being satisfied with what I currently have, or drop a boatload of cash into a forged short block.

I have considered a 3.5" aluminum one piece drive shaft but I don't want to change my pinion flange or use an adapter plate. I was hoping someone would have come up with a bolt in unit that doesn't require the pinion flange to be replaced or use an adapter flange. Guess not for now.

I have included a list of all my mods. If you feel inclined, review the list and make suggestions. Thanks in advance.

2005 “GT” Performance Mods​

· Ford Racing Performance Parts:
o 4.10 Gears
o Cam/Valve Covers – Powdercoated Black
o Borla “Stinger” Axle Back Exhaust
· Mobil 1: 5W-20 Synthetic Motor Oil w/Extended Performance Oil Filter
· Kooks:
o Long Tube Headers
o Off Road X-Pipe
· Autolite: HT0 Spark Plugs (Gapped @ .035”)
· C&L: “Racer” Intake Tube w/Bump Hose & Clamps
· Saleen: Series VI Supercharger
· JDM Engineering:
o 3.0” (13.5 PSI) Supercharger Drive Pulley
o 03-04 Cobra MAF Sensor Conversion/Pigtail Harness
o Cold Air Intake w/K&N Filter
o Vacuum Upgrade Kit
o 93 Octane Custom Tune – Processor Code BKT3 (Strategy FBHR2G4)
o Lowered Prothane “Bullet” Engine Mounts
o Saleen GT 500 Fuel Pump, FPDM & Harness
o GT 500 Throttle Body, Spacer, Bump Hose & Clamps
o Intercooler Relay Kit w/switch
o Aluminum Transmission Overflow/Catch Can
· SCT: Excalibrator 2 Tuner
· D’Agostino Racing:
o Granatelli BA-2400 MAF Housing
o Sieman Deka 60 lb./hr. Injectors w/conversion harnesses
o Canton Aluminum Coolant Reservoir
· Lethal Performance: Canton Aluminum Power Steering Reservoir
· VMP Tuning: 93 Octane Custom Dyno Tune – Processor Code BKT3 (Strategy FBHR2G4)
· Be Cool: Aluminum Radiator
· Metco Motorsports Solutions: Drive Shaft Safety Loops – Front & Rear
· BF Goodrich:
o g-Force T/A KDW NT 255/45ZR18 Tires – 769 RPM (27.0”) @ 45 MPH - Front
o g-Force T/A KDW NT 285/40ZR18 Tires – 771 RPM (27.0”) @ 45 MPH - Rear
· Strange Engineering: Adjustable Rear Shocks
· Steeda:
o Billet Aluminum Lower Control Arms – Rear
o Billet Aluminum Sway Bar Mounts – Front
o Competition End Links – Front
o Control Arm Bushing Kit - Front
o Magnetic Engine Oil Drain Plug
· LPW Racing Products: Extra Low Profile Ultra-Pro Cast Aluminum Differential Cover
· BMR Fabrication:
o LCA Relocation Brackets - Powdercoated Black Hammertone
o A-Arm Support Brace - Powdercoated Black Hammertone
o Upper Panhard Rod Support - Powdercoated Black Hammertone
o Adjustable Panhard Rod w/Poly Bushings - Powdercoated Black Hammertone
o Progressive Lowering Springs (1.25” Front /1.50” Rear) – BMR Red
o Adjustable UCA w/Poly Bushing - Powdercoated Black Hammertone
o HD Sway Bars – Front & Rear - Powdercoated Black Hammertone
o Rear Sway Bar Billet Aluminum End Links
o HD Boxed Sub Frame Connectors - Powdercoated Black Hammertone
o Camber Adjusting Bolts
· Ford:
o GT 500 Strut Tower Brace – Powdercoated Black Hammertone
o V10 Water Pump Pulley
· Hawk: HPS Brake Pads – Front & Rear
· CHE Performance Products: Axle Brace

Appearance Mods​

· Tint Masters: Window Tint
· Ford:
o Keyless Entry Keypad
o Auto-Dimming Mirror with Homelink, Compass & Temp. Display
o Locking Gas Cap
o GT 500 “Clone” Conversion
· Redline Tuning: QuickLift Elite Hood Struts
· Alpine: Speakers – Doors & Rear Deck
· Web Electric: Sequential Tail Lights
· American Muscle:
o 14” Black Shorty Antenna
o 18” x 9.5” Black Machined Shelby Mustang GT 500 Wheels w/“SVT” Center Caps
· Blow-By Racing: Fuse Box Cover
· MGW LTD:
o Chrome “SVT” Logo Dipstick Handle
o Chrome “GT” Logo Intercooler Reservoir Cap
o Chrome “Cobra” Logo Engine Oil Filler Cap
o Chrome Billet A/C Knobs
o Chrome “Cobra” Logo Power Outlet Plug
o Chrome Door Lock Pins
o Chrome Radio Knob
o Chrome Coat Hangers
o Chrome Cup Holder Bezel
o Chrome “Cobra” Logo Seat Lever Buckles
o Chrome “Cobra” Logo Mirror Control Knob
o “Cobra” Coin Tray
· Headrest Embroidery: “Cobra” Embroidered Headrests
· Meziere: Chrome 16 psi/lb. Coolant Reservoir Cap
· Classic Design Concepts:
o Louvered C-Pillar Scoops
o “GT 500” Pedals
· CustomEx: “Cobra” Valve Stem Caps
· Ford Collection: “SVT” License Plate Frame
· Sylvania:
o Silverstar Halogen Headlamp Bulbs
o Silverstar Front Parking/Turn Lamp Bulbs
· Autometer:
o Cobalt Full Sweep Electric Gauges:
§ Water Temperature
§ Oil Pressure
§ Fuel Pressure w/Zex Fuel Rail Adapter
§ Vacuum/Boost
§ Transmission Temperature
· Innovate Motorsports: Wideband Air/Fuel Ratio Gauge
· Speed of Sound:
o A-Pillar Triple Gauge Pod
o Center Dash “No-Drill” Triple Gauge Pod
· Steeda:
o Stainless Steel Radiator Cover - Polished
o Billet Aluminum Strut Covers - Polished
o Billet Aluminum Strut Nut Covers – Polished
o Billet Aluminum Turn Signal Cover
o Billet Aluminum Power Seat Button
· Graphic Express:
o “GT 500” Silver Metallic Lemans Stripes
o “SVT” Radiator Site Shield Decal
· SilverHorse Racing:
o Black Anodized “GT” Billet Aluminum Fuel Door
o Chrome Billet “GT” Shifter Bezel
· Midwest Auto Gear: Door Mirror Inserts
· SS Inserts: “Objects in Mirror Are Losing” Decal
· Ford Racing Performance Parts: Floor Mats

 

[ZmanM3]

Umm, built motor?

 

[tmcolegr]

Umm, built motor?

See what I mean? Not really a lot left other than building the short block with forged internals.

 

[S197 GT]

2 tone leather seats... Line Locks... Paint your stripes... KR Hood... etc.

There is still plenty you can do before getting a built shortblock. The question is, will your stocker hold up that long???

tick...tick...tick

 

[stkjock]

damn.... idk... how about a new car to start over? lol

 

[ZmanM3]

Well with everything else you have it may be a good idea.

 

[tmcolegr]

damn.... idk... how about a new car to start over? lol

Been there and done that. My wife has an 06 GT with very similar mods.

 

[tmcolegr]

2 tone leather seats... Line Locks... Paint your stripes... KR Hood... etc.

There is still plenty you can do before getting a built shortblock. The question is, will your stocker hold up that long???

tick...tick...tick

Thanks for the ideas but......

I don't like 2 tone seats
Don't need line locks on a vehicle that doesn't see the strip
Just finished the vinyl stripes less than a month ago
Not a big fan of the KR hood - I'm sure I'm a minority though

I'm sure my stocker will hold up for a while.

Surprised you didn't suggest a electric H2O pump.

 

[GIG4FUN]

Surprised you didn't suggest a electric H2O pump.

\
That's my suggestion

 

[MikeVistaBlue06]

Dump the POS 2 piece cluster-fuck (JMHO) driveshaft and get yourself a single piece aluminum driveshaft, regardless of the issue with changing out the pinion flange; it ain't that big of a deal.

The rotational interia will go down and that will let your drivetrain zap less of your hard made power!

Hope this helps.

Mike

 

[officespace56]

Maybe some cams?

 

[tmcolegr]

Maybe some cams?

At my HP level with FI, I don't believe they would be a good decision. Stock cams work fine.

 

[tmcolegr]

Dump the POS 2 piece cluster-fuck (JMHO) driveshaft and get yourself a single piece aluminum driveshaft, regardless of the issue with changing out the pinion flange; it ain't that big of a deal.

The rotational interia will go down and that will let your drivetrain zap less of your hard made power!

Hope this helps.

Mike

I may change my mind and install a one piece 3.5" shaft with an adapter flange.

 

[don_w]

If you have an auto trans, what about a Torque converter?

Are you set on the 3.5" DS? The Powerhouse DS is a direct bolt in.

 

[JimIII@JDM]

Saleen Heat exchanger upgrade kit! We are taking orders now for them. They come with a 60% larger than stock size heat exchanger that uses twin cooling fans, a high volume EMP electric pump, new cooling lines, and a full wiring harness. You should see coolant temps drop an average of 20-30 degrees at peak blower temp. It maintains a much lower air charge temp than the stock saleen unit as well. Call me up if you want to talk about it Todd!

JimIII

 

[LAK3RS]

Damn it...just swap out that piece of shit stock 2pc driveshaft. Pick up a Spydershaft!

 

[tmcolegr]

If you have an auto trans, what about a Torque converter?

Are you set on the 3.5" DS? The Powerhouse DS is a direct bolt in.

Thanks for chiming in Don....

Already been the torque converter route once - TCI SSF. Didn't like the loss of low end torque (driveability) on the street. Part of the problem was my own fault - too high stall speed for my tastes. Secondly, the single disc lockup clutch started slipping on the dyno at about 425 RWHP. Pulled it out and went back with the stock converter. If I were to go that route again, I would use a PI triple plate with about a 2400 - 2600 stall speed.

On the drive shaft issue, I'm fairly set on a 3.5". I have already seen a couple 4" shafts that had issues with rubbing the parking brake cable bracket and tunnel.

 

[tmcolegr]

Saleen Heat exchanger upgrade kit! We are taking orders now for them. They come with a 60% larger than stock size heat exchanger that uses twin cooling fans, a high volume EMP electric pump, new cooling lines, and a full wiring harness. You should see coolant temps drop an average of 20-30 degrees at peak blower temp. It maintains a much lower air charge temp than the stock saleen unit as well. Call me up if you want to talk about it Todd!

JimIII

I know this sounds odd, but I have fairly good results with the stock Saleen heat exchanger because of the larger lower grill opening on the GT 500 front fascia.

That being said I have a couple of questions:
Has the powersteering cooler line interference issue been resolved yet? Will the larger heat exchanger fit with the GT 500 front fascia?

I have seriously considered this mod.

 

[don_w]

Thanks for chiming in Don....

Already been the torque converter route once - TCI SSF. Didn't like the loss of low end torque (driveability) on the street. Part of the problem was my own fault - too high stall speed for my tastes. Secondly, the single disc lockup clutch started slipping on the dyno at about 425 RWHP. Pulled it out and went back with the stock converter. If I were to go that route again, I would use a PI triple plate with about a 2400 - 2600 stall speed.

The TCI's have been known to do that. And FWIW, I'm running a PI triple with a 3500 stall, and it works great on the street.

On the drive shaft issue, I'm fairly set on a 3.5". I have already seen a couple 4" shafts that had issues with rubbing the parking brake cable bracket and tunnel.

Interesting... mine has been fine. Maybe an issue with lowered cars??

 

[oman_cobra]

or we can trade cars, & you start modding mine, then we'll trade again j/k
i'll also suggest the allum DS, & i see you have the steeda suspension stuff, so your doing good as far as performance wise for your current block..
im reading now Muscle Mustangs & Fast Fords magazine, they have an article on FRPP's new 4.6 aluminator (which is basically the 03-04 cobra engine but fully aluminized)