So... what next for my car?

[trojannemo]

Hi guys. I have a 2017 GT convertible. So far I've done the following to improve performance:

- JLT CAI
- Solo Performance Mach Thunder 3" catback exhaust
- MAK Cat Delete
- MAK Performance tune (93 octane)

It's loud enough. So I'm not looking to do headers or cams. Shop recommended '18 manifold, which I actually had considered, so that's probably happening. Don't want to switch to corn, I drive too much and can't rely on sparse availability. I do not intend to do forced induction, so no turbos/supercharger/procharger. My shop does not recommend changing the throttle body or getting a throttle body spacer, as the gains are minimal and apparently quality control is not reliable.

So, is there anything else I'm missing as far as go fast mods? This is the first car I start modding this way, so I don't know if there's something worth doing that we haven't thought of.

Thanks.

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[ugstang17]

Sounds like you are getting some good advice from a level headed shop not looking to take you to the cleaners. I would agree with their strategy. Like you I prefer to have more range on a tank of fuel so E85 is not a rational mod for my setup. A TB could actually hinder you on bottom end torque and the couple of HP you would pickup wouldn't be worth it. Too much hype placed on TB's and Spacers because they are simple bolt ons and in the same price range as a CAI kit I have come to learn from experience in the past. Your tune, cat delete, and the future intake will be your largest and best bang increases. Beyond that it becomes making efficient use of the power. Suspension, tires, gearing, or a stall converter if its an auto, can make the most of the power available when done right. It's not always the HP number that makes the car perform. How well managed the HP is and how well it transfers to the ground is a crucial (if not more crucial) than anything.

Good luck. You have some good choices down there to do business with.

 

[trojannemo]

Thanks for the input. MAK Performance have been good and honest, repeatedly guiding me to better, not more expensive options.

Tires are new Nitto G2 555 285/35/20 which I was told was the widest I should go for my OEM 20x9 wheels.

Gears are 3.55 I believe. Do not know anything at all about this beyond that.

Automatic.

I am on Steeda progressive springs. I have the Ford Performance strut tower brace and c cowl. Actually was supposed to install the level 2 bmr cradle lock out kit but it does not fit convertibles, so we're changing to level 1 which does fit. Beyond that I'm open to suggestions on tightening handling.

Have never heard of the stall converter so will research tonight.

Thanks!

 

[AZ18yote]

Nitto G2 555 285/35/20 which I was told was the widest I should go for my OEM 20x9 wheels.

I have the same tires on my fronts, 20×10. Not bad for a street tire and very cost effective.

If corn and LTH are out then you're probably looking at weight reductions to maximize the power you have. If wanting to stay 20" wheels consider going forged as the stock 20s are super heavy so reducing rotational mass would help alot. Light weight big brake kit like Baer as well. There is a what things weigh thread on here check that out for a plethora of weight saving ideas.

 

[trojannemo]

Well I'm not going to be racing or tracking the car, so I'm not concerned about weight reduction. Definitely not looking to spend big brake kit money. I was more interested in whether there was a part here or there I wasn't aware of I could change for a quick increase. But I'm staying strictly daily driver street car and dont want to do anything too expensive. Wife has been more than lenient so far but that has limits, I'm sure

 

[Zelek]

If it's a manual, MGW shifter and BG fluid swap. Two really amazing mods.

 

[AZ18yote]

Well I'm not going to be racing or tracking the car, so I'm not concerned about weight reduction. Definitely not looking to spend big brake kit money. I was more interested in whether there was a part here or there I wasn't aware of I could change for a quick increase. But I'm staying strictly daily driver street car and dont want to do anything too expensive. Wife has been more than lenient so far but that has limits, I'm sure

You mentioned not wanting to go straight e85 tune due to availability of fuel. What about a flex tune so can do corn when available or 93 when not?

 

[ugstang17]

3.55 gears were not offered by Ford until the S550 arrived because of the short gearing on the 6R80. First gear is 4.17:1. I am glad they finally started offering beyond a 3.31 gear option. That is a great gear for an N/A setup IMHO. Kelly at BMR is the master on suspension. If he says it, you can bet it works. He helped me a lot with my setup on my previous 14 and I have already started with what I call the "Kelly recipe" for the IRS on my 17 auto setup. The important thing is getting weight transfer so you don't blow the tires off as well as a good tire that will be street legal and still grip. Plenty of options out there. Since I track on occasion I will again have a rear setup to throw on at the track for this upcoming season. I've got a lot to learn with the IRS as I have always been an SRA guy. So a lot of things done there go out the window here.

Best of luck to you.

BTW - How are you liking the Thunder Solo setup? Does it drone at all without the cats? Is the tone old school or raspy X-pipey Roushy sounding? I have a line on a used setup for pennies on the dollar but still waiting to find out if it is the 11" muffler like yours or the 18". I prefer the 18" version because of my wife. Happy wife happy life. That and I like a little less prominence in tone.....until I go WOT. Makes it more fun for unsuspecting Corvette owners. LOL!

 

[trojannemo]

You mentioned not wanting to go straight e85 tune due to availability of fuel. What about a flex tune so can do corn when available or 93 when not?

I suppose I'm not opposed to that, but I have a lot of cosmetic stuff i'd rather do before I get to corn on a flex fuel tune.

BTW - How are you liking the Thunder Solo setup? Does it drone at all without the cats? Is the tone old school or raspy X-pipey Roushy sounding? I have a line on a used setup for pennies on the dollar but still waiting to find out if it is the 11" muffler like yours or the 18". I prefer the 18" version because of my wife. Happy wife happy life. That and I like a little less prominence in tone.....until I go WOT. Makes it more fun for unsuspecting Corvette owners. LOL!

This is my second Mustang, first being a 2017 EcoBoost I purchased in July and got rid of by end of October, when I got this GT to replace it. So my experience is limited. On the EcoBoost I dropped Roush axlebacks and they were loud but I liked the sound. On this one the shop recommended a catback for better power, and we had a hard time something that was good quality with little drone and deep sound (my requirements) that would work with a convertible. Solo Performance was recommended, and they use a heimholtz resonator (?) so there is no drone that I can notice in the cabin. I've literally only driven home today from the shop with the cat deletes, so little experience to comment so far. But it did not sound like it had drone, and it just sounded deep, mean and aggressive (to my ears, with limited experience). Definitely no rattling can or popping popcorn noises that I don't like but hear too often coming in and out of Cars n Coffee. So I'm happy with the set up so far.

 

[ugstang17]

Appreciate it. I kept the cats on mine on this car. But it currently has an x-pipe and Roush axlebacks that I don't care for (but a taste for a different person). I'm old school on wanting that muscle car sound. I have the option of putting this setup available to me on before buying it but I don't want to have to do it twice if I can get some 411 ahead of time. This or the AWE with the same/similar drone cancelling concept is the direction I will go.

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