Next big upgrade

[yomamma219]

So my birthday is coming up soon and I was planning on buying my first big upgrade as a present to myself. ( Yes I'm cheezy like that). Ive so far been doing only cosmetic things to the car, the biggest being louvers and a cat-back. I had three things in mind as planned as my first three big upgrades and was wondering which one people thought I should get or see if anyone has any better suggestions that I like. Below is my list is its current preference order.

1)Wheels- was going to do this second because I thought I'd wait till I needed 4 new tires but I'm evidently almost in need of 2 rear tires. The front tires are fine which makes me hesitant.

2) Lowered suspension kit. I''d love airbags but I want to stay as far under 2 grand for this as possible and was looking at the FP kits.

3) FP Tune- I'm still hesitant on this as I am scared to void my CPO extended powertrain warranty. Yes I fully understand how the warranties work but feel this is a legitimate fear.

Other things I'd love some day: steering wheel, clear protective film for chips, bullbar, cervini quarter window louvers, spoiler delete trunk lid, GT350R spoiler.

Thanks

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[jbailer]

If you're ok with the power (everyone would like more), don't let anyone sway you there. If the extended warranty is that important to you, you've got the right idea. If you ever feel like you might want to try it, go have a talk with the dealer first. If you really want the final word on the subject, talk to Ford Customer Service as they have the final say and can advise you better than anyone.

I think wheels/tires are the best on the list. To me, a nice set of wheels can really make a car. Something definitely missing on the stock wheels is the proper offset. It's taken me a couple years to finally find a set of wheels that I really love enough to spend that kind of money on but I'm getting a set of the MRR M600 wheels from Paul @ PK Auto (sticky in the wheels section). They have a great offset bringing the wheels out near the fender more aggressively without spacers. Currently I'm using spacers with the stock wheels. Something to consider before you go that route though is how that will look if not lowered. I found once lowering the car, the wheels really needed to come out further, it made them look very hidden. The same problem the other way around, if you put wheels that come out near the fender and then don't lower it, that wheel gap looks awkward.

 

[Dirty-EB-Chicago]

I've kinda in the same boat as the OP, but it's not my birthday, just tax return season, A.k.a free car parts. I decided to go with the FP tune + intake, FP track handling kit, and ETS intercooler. After that i just need wider, high performance summer tires and I can die happy. My reasoning for this set of upgrades is mainly due to how I plan to use the car. Daily driver yes, but ready to go for track day without changing a thing, and being an ass on the highway/streets bc i live in Challenger mecca apparently.

 

[yomamma219]

[MENTION=15518]jbailer[/MENTION] thanks for the tips on the wheels. There were definitely a few things I hadn't considered in there. Call me lazy but is there any good resource on how to read/interpret wheel specs? My primary interest here is the offset, as I understand diameter and width easy enough. My understanding of offset is that it essentially does the same thing that spacers would do but at the outer edge of the rim. So basically the outer edge of the tire is at a wider width then a factory one would be.
[MENTION=21048]Dirty-EB-Chicago[/MENTION] I am quite jealous I thing I want this exact setup minus intercooler (haven't felt the need for that). I am a bit worried about ordering the handling kit through my ford dealer and having them install it though after a rough initial dealer service experience. Plus I have read a couple anecdotes recently with people talking about suspension noise after having as little as new springs installed which has made me scared to go down that road as I like my nice new-ish feeling car and its relative silence.

I am so tempted to just dump a bunch of money into my car at once but I am holding off to do it one step at a time so I can learn the consequences of each addition as they come.

Due to my new found suspension fears I think I am going to go down the rim route. I'm bordering on being frozen by indecision though. It isn't even so much the money but the time since I have to either be late to work or leave early to get anything done at a mechanic. I have now seen two posts from people praising PK Auto so I will have to be giving them a look for my rims.

 

[Dirty-EB-Chicago]

[MENTION=15518]jbailer[/MENTION] thanks for the tips on the wheels. There were definitely a few things I hadn't considered in there. Call me lazy but is there any good resource on how to read/interpret wheel specs? My primary interest here is the offset, as I understand diameter and width easy enough. My understanding of offset is that it essentially does the same thing that spacers would do but at the outer edge of the rim. So basically the outer edge of the tire is at a wider width then a factory one would be.
[MENTION=21048]Dirty-EB-Chicago[/MENTION] I am quite jealous I thing I want this exact setup minus intercooler (haven't felt the need for that). I am a bit worried about ordering the handling kit through my ford dealer and having them install it though after a rough initial dealer service experience. Plus I have read a couple anecdotes recently with people talking about suspension noise after having as little as new springs installed which has made me scared to go down that road as I like my nice new-ish feeling car and its relative silence.

I am so tempted to just dump a bunch of money into my car at once but I am holding off to do it one step at a time so I can learn the consequences of each addition as they come.

Due to my new found suspension fears I think I am going to go down the rim route. I'm bordering on being frozen by indecision though. It isn't even so much the money but the time since I have to either be late to work or leave early to get anything done at a mechanic. I have now seen two posts from people praising PK Auto so I will have to be giving them a look for my rims.

In regards to the suspension noise on the FP track handling kit i believe i know the noise your describing thro my own reading. from what i understand the front swap bar does not have a stopper causing it to budge or something of the sort in turn causing the noise. there is a cheap fix bracket or stopper you can buy at any hardware store. The track handling kit is more performance oriented, im aiming to make hitting pot holes hurt lol.
As for the wheel concern I can relate, I've never quite understood the whole concept in measurements and what not. Id refer you to this its greatly improved my understanding. https://www.wheel-size.com/calc/
Concerning the intercooler, I feel for performance its an absolute must. should be your first upgrade if your doing any sort of sporty driving. Since i frequently track my car I need it, but if your really just cruising about It's not a big deal. the stock intercooler will heatsoak incredibly fast, ford really really sandbagged it.

 

[jbailer]

[MENTION=15518]jbailer[/MENTION] thanks for the tips on the wheels. There were definitely a few things I hadn't considered in there. Call me lazy but is there any good resource on how to read/interpret wheel specs? My primary interest here is the offset, as I understand diameter and width easy enough. My understanding of offset is that it essentially does the same thing that spacers would do but at the outer edge of the rim. So basically the outer edge of the tire is at a wider width then a factory one would be.

There are a few really good sites that explain the dimensions of wheels and tires. There's one really good one that I couldn't find the url for, it shows graphically how the new wheel would fit compared to the original wheel based on measurements and sizes.

Here's a couple good sites though:
Tire Rack
10 10 Tires

 

[Chef jpd]

You really don't have to get crazy researching offsets.
I'd suggest that you pick a style, size and width, then contact Paul at PK.
He will set you up with a whole bolt on solution.
I got a set from him last year. 19x10 square, 275 Contis. Mounted, balanced, tpms, lugs,delivered, $2100. You can go less expensive.

 

[Shouldhavegotthegt]

Wheels definitely set the car off and makes it stand out from the sea of mustangs out there. Discount tire direct (eBay) is the best place for tires. Free shipping and no tax. From time to time they run $100 off specials. I paid $640 for 275/35/20s Nittos G2s.

Agree with getting the right offset. Check out the aggressive wheel thread for some ideas. Mine were quite right so I bought some 20mm spacers to get them flush. Next set is going to be a 20-30 offset not 40+

 

[yomamma219]

I think I now fully understand the offset and other wheel dimensions. Seems simple enough. I guess what I think the tough part will be is determining what dimensions I think are best.
[MENTION=15518]jbailer[/MENTION] Thanks for referencing me to paul I hit him up and I think i will end up going with him. I am starting to really like the velgen classic 5s. I think I want to lower the car first to get a better feel for what it will look like with new rims in person.

@chef_jpd what where the wheels you got? the Niche Essen? I was looking at some of the niche wheels like the GT5 I think, but Paul pointed me at the Velgen Classic 5's which I think have a deeper concave shape to them. Which I really like. The price range you are at is right around where I would like to be ideally with tires and all. I am open to a bit more though. I am just sad that Vossen wheels are so expensive because they have some beautiful ones IMO.
[MENTION=19098]Shouldhavegotthegt[/MENTION] I will have to take a look at that. My first ebay experience (some side window louvers) has been bad so I am not sure I am ready to dive back in yet.

Does anyone have any comments on having only lowering springs installed with the non-PP suspension? I am thinking that if doing springs only, then I might do them and wheels around the same time. I posted a thread in the suspension forum with much more details. I am just worried that the Ecoboost shocks might not be matched well to the eibach sportlines or steeda progressives or something similar. Wear and tear on the shock itself is less of a concern as I would be ok replacing/upgrading later as long as I can get at least 50k+ miles out of it.

I wish I could find a solid mechanic/shop to talk to around me that would give me information without trying to sell me something. I love learning new stuff about these cars but sometimes I find it to be tedious or even daunting trying to find the information needed to make what I deem an educated decision about an upgrade.

 

[AR306]

Personally I'd get an intercooler before any of those.. I almost did Lol, I decided not to at the last minute pending my decision to keep or trade but I particularly liked the ETS intercooler.

Second, I hate the grille on the EB, I absolutely had to change it for a GT Grille, but that's just me.

Third, out of everything you listed I'd go wheels and tires.. Lowered cars are a PITA and I too wouldn't void the warranty unless I had money stashed away for a new engine just in case..

 

[yomamma219]

[MENTION=17800]AR306[/MENTION] is there any particular reason for the intercooler? I am looking for primarily asthetic mods for the time being. I don't have a tune on the car...Yet, and I watch my charge temps from time to time and they seem ok, usually about 10degrees above ambient at the most as long as I'm moving. I've read a decent amount about the FMIC upgrade but thought it was more so important when you're tuned or have other performance upgrades.

I have the pony pack ecoboost which has a grill very similar to the California special (from what I can tell only the color is different). I very much like the grill for the time being but a grill swap does intrigue me for a farther down the line upgrade. I really want one that has the round aux lights like the S197 had but haven't seen any on the.market. I've been contemplating looking into custom mounting some off the shelf ones behind my grill.

I do like your point about lowering being a PITA. My first car was lowered and it was quite a pain at times. I'm so hung up on this issue because I want to close that wheel gap up just a bit but dont want to ruin my car over good looks. I may take that advice and just do wheels for now. Also I am not sure if you were exaggerating or are unaware but lowering the car shouldn't affect the engine warranty. They would basically have to prove the lowered or the work done caused whatever engine issue. Not trying to be a smart ass but warranty is something I've been reading a lot about recently after buying this car so I thought I'd just pass on some knowledge.

 

[Shouldhavegotthegt]

Lowering won't affect the powertrain warranty at all. My 13 was lowered and the axel seals started leaking at about 45k, they fixed with no issues at all.

I'm also lowered on Steeda progressives with stock shocks and struts. No issues and they bolt right in. I don't bottom out over speed bumps and I can pull into my driveway just fine. It certainly handles and looks 100x better with them.

 

[sharp21]

You can feel a performance boost with the intercooler on stock tune. Once you pull the stock unit off you'll understand.

1st mod

 

[yomamma219]

Idk I have to believe that is placebo effect. Or you just do more city driving maybe.

 

[Marvinmadman]

It's not a placebo effect. You notice it the longer you keep your foot down. 3rd gear and up is where I feel it picks up over stock. ETS intercooler on mine.

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