Mods - All at once or phased approach?

[OctopusWrangler]

For those that have used both approaches in the past, which is better and why?
With a phased in approach, you can spread the cash outlay and mod one at a time to truly get a feel for what each component can do.
With all at once, it's a bigger cash hit up front but everything is done at once and you can feel the cumulative impact of the mods right away.
I'm adding the FRPP Sport exhaust and JLT intake (haven't made up my mind on Bama or Lund tune yet) and am just weighing just buying the exhaust first or just buy it all and do it all at once.

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[benni302]

For me i always know the first main things i want to accomplish- exhaust, stance/handling(springs) and tint my windows; those are my first priorities whenever i buy a car and then i go from there after assessing and determine what else i want/need. That way i have time to get comfortable with the car and decide if anything what else it may need.

 

[Coaster]

For that combo I'd just buy the exhaust first assuming you're doing a cat-back. Then the intake and tune at the same time.

The cat-back is pretty much just a sound upgrade, and better looking tips. Headers are the better option if you're looking for power, but will require a tune.

If you buy an intake that doesn't require a tune (or install a spacer so it doesn't) you will see very little gain. The tune makes the intake come alive.

If you plan to do headers then just get the CAI and tune all at once.

 

[Barrel]

Well I did headers, catback, intake and dyno tune all at once. Then decided that wasn't enough power. So now I'm doing ProCharger, driveshaft, half shafts, shifter, new tune all at once. Hope to have it all in by the end of the month.

 

[Vile_the_Bastage]

What is the final goal for your car? Are you going to be NA or FI? How do you plan on utilizing the car's performance? Straight line racing (1/4 mile, 1/2 mile, Texas mile), Circuit course racing, or Auto Cross? Is your car a daily driver as well?

In almost every one of the above applications, you will be probably adding a bit of power so if you want to spread your cash out over a few months and years, I would suggest starting with safety durability mods.

Half shafts tend to break on a prepped track with sticky tires (while pushing your car in its stock configuration at that). Depending on what brand you go with and what power its rated at holding, you couldn't go wrong there. After that, if you want a weight saving mod that adds a bit of performance, some durability, and doesn't require a tune, you can change out the drive shaft as well.

Springs, shocks, sway bars, strut tower braces, all of that can help you keep the rubber planted firmly to the ground. Also, before you add big power, you are definitely going to want to stop the car. I see that you have the Performance Package so those Brembos are great. What about your rubber?

I've gone all out with power modifications in one go and while fun at first, the good times ended when things I didn't plan for started breaking. Not to mention, I had a hard time controlling the car when pushing it. On my following car, I replaced most of the high failure components and did suspension work first (which is inexpensive compared to power adders, but invaluable in the long run). Also, building slow and steady allowed me to grow into the car.

TL;DR - Build slow and steady, focusing on fixing the car's weak points and improving it's handling. Push the car with its current power in controlled environments to learn what it's limits are, and your limits. Then add power when you are comfortable

 

[Project Whitemare]

Phases no question.

No better way. This allows you to "feel" the changes as the time goes on. You can really dial in your driving based on the increased performance.

I like to think my driving skills evolve along with the build. As soon as I get familiar, I drop a new suspension component, or maybe some more power, and it's back to learning how to maximize the gains of each mod!

If I wanted to do it all at once, I'd likely buy a turn key Stage 3 Roush or a Shelby GT500. Otherwise, half of the fun is the planning. Not to mention how the market opens up as time goes on.

The longer you wait, the more options that are available.

Remember all those guys running the rear mounted STS turbos on the old S197? Should have just waited...

 

[SVTFreak]

That depends.

If you prefer the final product, make those fastest passes or laps, then all at once is your cup of tea.

If you prefer the build, enjoy watching progress, enjoying working on a project, then phases may be your path.

 

[VTECSAUCE]

I've never owned a new car before, this being my first new car as well as my first domestic, rwd, ford, v8, etc...I am going to take it slow for a plethora of reasons. Main one being my warranty, also aftermarket availability drives up cost and the first ones out aren't always the best. I like to plan my build and do thorough research. I know I want to stay NA and I really want to see how this car will handle with a good suspension, tires, wheels, etc. I like to see what other ppl do to their cars and see how mods work together. Being the first to do something is not cheap and I really don't see a good reason to rush. I like the progression and seeing how the car reacts to individual mods. It allows me to get used to the car rather than get everything at once and make an extra 100-200whp and have a completely different car from what I had. Another benefit is getting parts 2nd hand for cheap from other ppl experimenting or ditching the project for something else. This is my mindset not saying its right or wrong, its completely subjective. It just works best for me.

 

[Guard5.0]

Sort of phases for me. SC, LT's with full exhaust, springs, bars, brace, and wheels and tires with some other dress up stuff and accessories. With the new tune (soon) will be half shafts, driveshaft, shifter, clutch, and likely some gears for the oil pump. Plan then is to enjoy it all summer then do phase 3 this Fall.

 

[OctopusWrangler]

Thank you all for the comments, I am learning as I go, I probably should have offered up some more background. This is not and will not be a daily driver, simply a weekend escape vehicle for us.
Windows came tinted, even though I had explicitly told the dealer not to touch the car, but he didn't charge me for the tint, so for now free tint is better than no tint. In Phoenix tinted windows are pretty much mandatory. Other than that, 100% stock GT with the Performance Package.
I'm not looking to straight line race the car at all, for now (famous last words I'm sure) so really just trying to marry the most potential with the least additional outlay. But at the same time other racing is definitely something I could get into.
I've never had a car with the aftermarket mod potential like this, so this is actually fascinating and fun. But I am also not patient, and knowing there's more to be had short and medium term, at a price of course, is tough for me to accept and just sitting tight isn't my style. That's how I ended up with the mustang in the first place. Go big or go home.
The tune/exhaust/CAI combo are the first mods I am looking at, but the FRPP handling pack continues to draw my attention as well. I doubt I would swap out the wheels and tires quite yet, but one flat tire or my wife rubbing the curb may change that right quick.
I dont see my self adding a supercharger for now. But who knows where my head will be at 6 months from now.
I am not terribly concerned about warranty, I fully understand the pay to play mentally, and if my own impatience and stupidity ruins the car, I have no one to blame but my self. And my wife will take great joy in blaming me. I am not mechanically inclined so this will also be a learn as I go, but know enough to defer to the professionals when I line up something major.
I'm not rich, but I'm not poor. But damn some of you guys are shelling out some serious cash for your upgrades. I get it, not passing judgement. Jealous a little maybe.

 

[Barrel]

But damn some of you guys are shelling out some serious cash for your upgrades. I get it, not passing judgement. Jealous a little maybe.

Didn't you see the poll in the main forum? We're all ballers!

 

[Vile_the_Bastage]

Thank you all for the comments, I am learning as I go, I probably should have offered up some more background. This is not and will not be a daily driver, simply a weekend escape vehicle for us.
Windows came tinted, even though I had explicitly told the dealer not to touch the car, but he didn't charge me for the tint, so for now free tint is better than no tint. In Phoenix tinted windows are pretty much mandatory. Other than that, 100% stock GT with the Performance Package.
I'm not looking to straight line race the car at all, for now (famous last words I'm sure) so really just trying to marry the most potential with the least additional outlay. But at the same time other racing is definitely something I could get into.
I've never had a car with the aftermarket mod potential like this, so this is actually fascinating and fun. But I am also not patient, and knowing there's more to be had short and medium term, at a price of course, is tough for me to accept and just sitting tight isn't my style. That's how I ended up with the mustang in the first place. Go big or go home.
The tune/exhaust/CAI combo are the first mods I am looking at, but the FRPP handling pack continues to draw my attention as well. I doubt I would swap out the wheels and tires quite yet, but one flat tire or my wife rubbing the curb may change that right quick.
I dont see my self adding a supercharger for now. But who knows where my head will be at 6 months from now.
I am not terribly concerned about warranty, I fully understand the pay to play mentally, and if my own impatience and stupidity ruins the car, I have no one to blame but my self. And my wife will take great joy in blaming me. I am not mechanically inclined so this will also be a learn as I go, but know enough to defer to the professionals when I line up something major.
I'm not rich, but I'm not poor. But damn some of you guys are shelling out some serious cash for your upgrades. I get it, not passing judgement. Jealous a little maybe.

Ah, an Arizona man! I can't wait to move back there when I retire. Dude, you got two drag strips near by (Firebird in Phoenix and Southwest International in Tucson), you HAVE to run it out there a few times.

This is a good car to learn on in my opinion. As I've stated in many other posts, I've switched from Subarus, where everything is sideways and hard to get to. Mustangs are cake in comparison, except for header removal...I'm not looking forward to that.

Like others have said, spacing out your mods has the added benefit of allowing more aftermarket parts to come to market. It will save you some money in the long wrong.

 

[TeddysStang]

I am doing mine in phases. What I have planned for this year is the roush quad exhaust and new rear quad exhaust valance from Roush. Roush Heat extractors and hydro dipping those and the engine cover and also LED switchbacks. Next year will be the lowering springs and front and rear sway bars. Windows already tinted.

 

[Trackaholic]

I like the phased approach for a couple reasons:

1. Keep in mind that cars are designed to a price point, and therefore all components are specified to worth together. Change one, and there is typically a cascading effect that requires updates to others. Using a phased approach allows time to determine the weak points and what you'll need to upgrade next.

2. For me, part of the fun is the research. Anticipating the new parts, searching for great values, etc. Doing things in phases means that process will be stretched out over a long time, keeping the fun going.

3. The financial aspect is important as well, and doing mods in phases helps distribute the cost, which is nice.

There are definitely mods which could be done in groups however. For example, I might do springs, shocks, and swaybars in one go. If I was adding lots of power I might do half-shafts at the same time. I might do intake, exhaust, and tune and once.

-T

 

[Free Agent]

It always comes down to $$$ for me.

I've never had the disposable income to do it all at once. And doubt I ever will. If I was given $50K to spend on mods with no strings attached (and no guilt for not spending it on my loved ones) I'd do it all at once, why wait?

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