GDPs V6 Mustang Build Log

[GDP]

Ok so Im getting ready to seriously start modding my V6 for power and handling. I am creating this post to reserve future mods/pics/details of said build. Im not 100% sure on the eaton as I may just go full N/A and focus on handling. Just a fun DD.

What I have: A slightly non stock 2003 Ford Mustang V6.

What I want: Suspension upgrades, exterior upgrades, Cam, Ported heads and intakes.


Progress:

- MAC Long Tubes, BBK Shorty H Pipe, MAC Catback. *Updated*

- BBK Cold air intake.

- Xcal3 93 octane tune.

- Billet interior upgrades with blue LED gauges.

- Full Length Subframe Connectors.

- Rear Seat Delete.

- 8.8 Rear end w/ 4.10 gears

- Tokico Blue shocks/struts

- Eibach Pro Kit lowering springs

- Steeda 3 bolt Caster/Chamer plates

- Steeda bumpsteer kit

- 25% ASP Underdrive pulley (crank)

- JMOD: 4R70W transmission shift kit.

- Innovate LC1 + DB Wideband gague and Autometer lunar boost guage.


More to come as its bought/installed.


There here is my engine bay with the BBK cold air intake on the left. The shiney piping =P
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll191/ewells2420/engine.jpg

Here is the finished Cluster light conversion..... cell pic again =P

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll191/ewells2420/12-24-08_0037.jpg

Suspension stuff before install
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll191/ewells2420/01-23-09_1424.jpg

After the springs, struts/shocks

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll191/ewells2420/02-12-09_1316.jpg

And after my rear seat delete kit install. Thanks to Ed for telling me about shredder performance (I think thats the name).

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll191/ewells2420/02-12-09_1315.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll191/ewells2420/GDP--Eric.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll191/ewells2420/DSC00451.jpg



Sorry they are cell phone pics :( I really need a camera but really dont want to pay $100 for one heh. Also my cell phone does not pick up black very well I guess. The carpet on that is a way darker black than that. It that same color as the leather if not a tad darker. It looks really good. The best thing is the bottom panels are velcro onto the back panel so they can be used as storage.

[Keatonus]

on V6 stangs with a blower are you going to build up the motor? or do something like 8-10PSI? I'd assume with the Blower at 8PSI you'll be making anywhere between 250-275WHP?

I have no clue about V6 Blown Stangs, what're your power goals? and the gears sound neat =]

[GDP]

Sorry yes, I estimate anywhere from 250-295HP at 8PSI stock internals. Im happy with that. Its just a V6, if I wanted anymore power I would just save the $ and get a GT =P But not too many M112d V6s.

[Keatonus]

It's becoming more popular, I think because you get V8 power with V6 fuel economy. I'd like to see how a Twin Turbo setup would work on a V6 Stang, sounds like a lot of custom work though...and custom work means $$.

How much is the Supercharger kit for your mustang?

[GDP]

http://tmaturbo.com/ for your TT question. And yeah root style blowers are awsome. It will cost me about 4k to have it installed, tuned, and ready to go.

[Keatonus]

610whp at 17PSI, not bad.

yeah Roots style is the only supercharger worth getting these days, actually makes supercharging competitive to Turbos.

[StreetRacingTechno]

There are twin turbo mustangs, of course they are built up with forged racing internals, that blow the doors off of stock 03 Cobra terminators, was trying to find an online article about one but I couldn't locate it, read it about 4 years ago, guy did some pretty impressive building on it, it was even in Hot Rod magazine.

[Keatonus]

btw, why not go:

Exhaust--->Eaton--->Gears?

Then you'd get the bulk of your power quicker, better gearing on a stock engine sound like the suck.

[GDP]

like I said the eaton will be the last thing. Also ive changed the plan from gears and a tlok to a whole 8.8 rear end swap. So its will be exhaust, rear end, suspension (possibly done at the same time as the rear end swap), then the eaton.

Im not really trying to go for all out drag racer here. Just a more powerful fun to drive DD. I want to do all supporting mods first to compliment the eaton.

Ok guys/gals first pics will come tomorrow if I can remember, just the interior thus far with billet stuff.

Next week mondayish will be the exhaust.

[GDP]

Ok uploaded pic of CAI =P its about 5 months old but meh. I only have a cell phone for a cam. Will eventually add more.

[Keatonus]

Nice, looks good. I would upload a pic of my Z's engine bay if it didn't look incredibly ghetto

[GDP]

Ok yesterday I went through the process of installing blue LEDs into my gauge cluster ... almost not even worth it. Here is why:

I had a hard time figuring out how to remove the twist style socket (now its easy) and took some time. Also after initially installing the LEDs and turning on the cluster it came out a turqoise color because the back plastic piece comes with a filiment behind the numbers and letters to make it that color. Well its supposed to be green but with blue it made turqoise.

Being not happy with this I had to COMPLETELY dissasemble the cluster down to the black backing with the numbers. I then had to scratch off with a knife the green filliment. It was long and painful. And oh by the way you have to remove the gauge needles ...... not something I will ever do again heh. They dont go back on correctly it would seem. Ok so after doing this and reassembling it, it came out looking pretty decent. It brighter in some spots than others but not too bad.

Another downside other than the gauge needles not being accurate is the red needles at night are all but impossible to see. Im not sure how im going to fix this. The guage needles are almost fixed but the speedo is about 3-4mph off and the temp gauge is off. The temp. gauge will not be hard to fix because I know where the needle is supposed to be after the engine is warmed up. The speedo will be harder. The gas gauge is somewhat off too but I will fix that when I get a full tank of gas.

It was sorta a big hassle with a moderate payoff. I have a reverse glow gauge set that im thinking about having installed and forgetting about the LEDs

[Keatonus]

Lol dang man...anything done after the LED gauge cluster?

[GDP]

Yeah I had subframe connectors done 2 days ago. well worth it, almost riding on rails now =P Lowerings springs and some other stuff and ill be on rails for sure.

[mega_option101]

Sounds like a good upgrade :)

[Keatonus]

Yeah I had subframe connectors done 2 days ago. well worth it, almost riding on rails now =P Lowerings springs and some other stuff and ill be on rails for sure.

Yeah I wanna get some subframe spacers for my Z, and then get rid of the HICAS and put on some traction rods. My only issue with my Z is wheel hop. Kills my traction.

[GDP]

Ok well I now have all my suspension stuff except my springs which will get soon

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll191/ewells2420/01-23-09_1424.jpg

[lautinjr]

looks good

[Keatonus]

Nice man, those Tokico Illuminas?

[GDP]

No I dont think so, All they say are "Performance" on them lol. I tried to dig up some more info on them but not much out there other than being performance lol. It was $280 for the set so I think they should be pretty good.

[lautinjr]

either way it's Tokico that's a great brand

[GDP]

we will see once everything is installed =P Should be done the sunday after next.

[StreetRacingTechno]

I like that you are upgrading the suspension and not just the straight line performance, a lot of mustang drivers don't do much of anything other than strengthen things to endure massive horsepower for drag runs, and they don't do much at all for the twisties.

[GDP]

Yeah lol. Well the main reason im doing suspension is because its a V6, not going to reach 800HP lol. Secondly it would get boring going in a straight line after a few times I would think (have not done it yet though lol) so I want to do twisties as well.

Plus when someone brings up the fact they think their import has better suspension than mine im going to let them have it =P Its going to be an all around car, not all drag and not all turns.

Next up will be the Eaton swap http://www.3.8mustang.com/forum/showthread.php?t=239548 thats the link to the exact eaton I will be buying. Its the same supercharger as the 2003/2004 cobras. In my application I expect to be putting down somewhere around 300rwhp. So its going to be a pretty unique V6.

The ups:
Powerband is in the lower to upper ranges unlike a centri blower or turbo where you have to reach around 5k to get to full power. So its pretty much instant boost.

Little PSI needed, only 6-8PSI will get you the extra 110HPish

Cost for overall application is around the same as any other blower kit.

Dont NEED forged internals

The bad:
Heat issues, after a run down the strip you will have to wait for the intakes to cool. Or anytime your on it hard around the street.

Without forged internals you cant get any higher than about 300 safely.

So that about covers it.

[Keatonus]

How's the car going man? any updates?

[GDP]

Yeah sorry. I actually have the new springs, CC plates, struts, shocks, and bumpsteer kit installed. I did it this last sunday with the help of a fellow club member of my local mustang club.

It feels pretty good, but I need an alignment bad, because it wants to pull to the right. But overall I am VERY happy with the results. I can turn the wheel/tires A LOT easier than stock, its almost effortless. And handling is SOO Much better. Also I am and feel a lot closer to the ground which gives the sports car feeling.

Also forgot to mention I had a new head unit installed into my car monday. However because of ford there is still some issues with it. Mainly the rear amps/speakers are not working properly and acting like subs like they should. So now im waiting on a part from the audio shop, then I have to take it back and have them add this other thing into it. As of right now it works, but sounds like crap.

[GDP]

Added more pics and info.

*UPDATE*

Well im getting two things soon. An 8.8 rear end and a strut tower brace. The 8.8 is so there is no more one wheel peel and its A LOT stronger than the stock 7.5. I would take pics after the install, but its really no different looking than the stock rear end. However I might take a pic of the strut tower brace installed, that looks pretty cool.

*Another Update*

Ok so after installing the 8.8, come to find out it starts making this sqeeking noise in a pulsating manor. Me and my mechanic of sorts took off the right side rear wheel to find out what was going on. That is where the noise was comming from by the way, the rear right tire. So anyway we took off the calipers and noticed the rotor was scraping the caliper. Didnt really know what to make of it, so we adjusted the brake pads out further hoping that would help.

No go it still made noise. After that we noticed when we turned the wheel the right side had a woble to it causing the rotor to scrape the caliper as it turns causing the noise. Long story short I am going to take the old right axle (with lower miles) from the old 7.5 and put it into the 8.8. They are the same spline count so its not a problem.

At the same time, im going to have gears installed, and since you have to remove the axles to do a gear swap im having the shop I take it to, replace the axle for free.

It sucks pretty bad to drive it right now, its not really damaging anything just making a lot of noise. And its embarrisng. It sounds like its some old 200k mile car beat to hell and back lol.

[GDP]

Well had 4.10 gears installed today. took a long time for them to complete it because the axles, bearings, and even partially the posi are jacked up bad. I used the old axles from my 7.5 and had them put them into the 8.8.

They put in new wheel bearings and what not, and its running smooth and strong. Cant really get on it yet though because they need a 500mi break in.

[Kenny McCormick]

Oooo, nice. V6 powah!


I love seeing things done differently. This is certainly different, 99.8% of people ditch the six without a second thought.

[Keatonus]

Oooo, nice. V6 powah!


I love seeing things done differently. This is certainly different, 99.8% of people ditch the six without a second thought.

I know I would've haha!

But having a peppy V6 is fun too, I should know with my TTZ. not to mention the V6 is lighter.

Sounds great though man! keep it up, let us know how the gears feel.

[GDP]

they are AWSOME! I also changed out my fuel filter today, you should have seen what came outta that thing. I took it for a drive after that and its like a whole new engine.

The gears + new filter = FAST.

[Keatonus]

they are AWSOME! I also changed out my fuel filter today, you should have seen what came outta that thing. I took it for a drive after that and its like a whole new engine.

The gears + new filter = FAST.

Nice Man! What's next on the list? the Supercharger right?

[GDP]

yeah I am picking up the Eaton this weekend actually. But it will be some time before its actually installed. I have many more parts I have to peice together to get the Eaton blower to work.

[GDP]

I just bought the supercharger unit itself (called M112 Eaton supercharger) as well as the throttle body, plenum, throttle position sensor, and 39# injectors. This covers roughly 35-40% of the build and parts needed. Still a lot more parts here and there. But for all intents and purposes this is the supercharger itself.

[Keatonus]

I just bought the supercharger unit itself (called M112 Eaton supercharger) as well as the throttle body, plenum, throttle position sensor, and 39# injectors. This covers roughly 35-40% of the build and parts needed. Still a lot more parts here and there. But for all intents and purposes this is the supercharger itself.

Nice man congrats! Is this centrifugal or a twin screw design?

[Keatonus]

Nevermind, just looked it up, it's the Twin screw design.

Congrats man, hurry that bby up to the Dyno.

[apavlov13]

Well actually Eatons are all roots type superchargers. The difference between that and a twin screw is that the twin screw compressed air in between the rotors, and a roots pushed air around the outside of the rotors (working much more like an oil pump). Twin screws are supposedly more efficient (in regards to discharge temperature, pressure and volume), but are also much more expensive and noisy.

Regardless this is going to be a sick setup!!! Can't wait for more updates.

[GDP]

Thanks guys, just to clarify its not on the car yet, and will be some time before it is. There is much left to buy to get this to actually fit and work. However finding a cheap low miliage eaton is half the project really lol.

And yes the eaton is a roots type blower. The Kenne Bell and I forget the other one are twin scew desings. And yes they are much more effiecent blowers and more expensive.

The GREAT thing about this setup is, once done I could switch over to a KB very quickly, just a matter of swaping them out. BUT Im not going to until I forge the internals. Which will be what im doing come next tax returns.

I will keep everyone updated.

[Keatonus]

Well actually Eatons are all roots type superchargers. The difference between that and a twin screw is that the twin screw compressed air in between the rotors, and a roots pushed air around the outside of the rotors (working much more like an oil pump). Twin screws are supposedly more efficient (in regards to discharge temperature, pressure and volume), but are also much more expensive and noisy.

Regardless this is going to be a sick setup!!! Can't wait for more updates.

oh ok, I had no idea, cause they looked pretty much the same. Thanks for the clarification.

[GDP]

Well I installed, or really rather watched while my mechanic/friend/fellow club member installed, the ASP 25% crank under drive pulley.

Feels a little better. It didnt really make it a whole lot faster, but you can tell the engine feels .... more free. Its sort of hard to describe. It actually should be putting down roughly 10rwhp more now.

Another good thing about this particular modification is, that it goes along with my eaton project. Its needed to reduce the amount of boost. Especially with my 2.95" pulley that came with the eaton when I bought it.

Only drawback is I noticed the AC takes a little longer to get cool, but not unbarable. There are always trade offs for a faster car.

Anywho just an update.

[hondaguy]

that sounds like fun but i will totally win in a race since my car is like alot lighter and will have like over 100 more ponies than your car hahaha:kungfu:

i do like it though it will be one fun car too bad your milage will prolly suck haha good luck keep the thread updated on the build you cought my attention:D

[TwIsTeDbOi]

Man, you need pics and lots of them.

[hondaguy]

there were pics on the first page but this will be a fun set up for you to have fun with hahaha

[ALIENIZED]

Wow GDP, you have a very nice project going on and you're actually doing it right. YaY for suspension, straight line gets boring quick. I prefer curves. :D

[GDP]

that sounds like fun but i will totally win in a race since my car is like alot lighter and will have like over 100 more ponies than your car hahaha:kungfu:

i do like it though it will be one fun car too bad your milage will prolly suck haha good luck keep the thread updated on the build you cought my attention:D

Care to explain? What are you doing to yours to make it have 100 more HP? Turbo?

Dont forget

HP sells cars, Tourque wins races. And I should have more TQ after the eaton goes on.

[Speed_Demon]

I always thought it was:
Horsepower is how hard you hit the wall; Torque is how far you take the wall with you!

And I love lots of low end torque! :D

[GDP]

No No its

"...the condition of understeer is where the driver is scared, and the condition of oversteer is where the passenger is scared."
-Fred Puhn, "How to Make Your Car Handle"

[TwIsTeDbOi]

Lol either way both are totally correct... :D

[GDP]

Minor mod update =P Put in Mobil 1 full synthetic oil and a 180 degree T-stat. Not much I know but ive been broke lately. Also im pretty much going another way with power for my stang. Im going to sell my eaton and buy a windstar upper intake + some other things.

But I will update this later when I know for sure.

[pbasil1]

Lol i just checked this thread out... LOL U need to make a dyno vide and post up some results! That supercharger should make it a fun street car!

[GDP]

Long time no update. Unfortunately I ditched the eaton build for now. Not enough time or money. What I will probably end up doing is getting a used turbo system around next years tax returns.


Ok also just bought http://www.vapauto.com/windstar.htm

Its on backorder :( So will have to wait a bit to get it, but it will be a nice little mod. Sure was expensive though.

[GDP]

Ok so I had ended up returning the windstar kit for now because it was taking too long to get. However I am making up for it ......

http://www.americanmuscle.com/bbk-hpipe-shorty-catted-9604.html

http://www.stangmods.com/TK-7995-MAC-Mustang-V6-Cat-Back-Exhaust-p/00390.htm

http://www.stangmods.com/MAC-Long-Tube-Headers-for-94-97-01-04-V6-Mustang-p/00636.htm <-- Not the actual price I paid or where I got it from. I was able to get it direct from a MAC employee for about 40 cheaper. I just using this link for reference.

I expect roughly 15HP gain considering I already have an aftermarket exhaust. The hi-flow cats will free up about 5 or so HP, and the headers another 10-15HP. And thats a pretty low estimate, but I dont like over estimating on HP.

After this I am going to get it dryno tested. Time to see what all my hard work/cash has done so far. Would be VERY happy with 200ish RWHP. Stock GTs only have about 210-220 of the same year.

[The Free Man]

Ok so I had ended up returning the windstar kit for now because it was taking too long to get. However I am making up for it ......

http://www.americanmuscle.com/bbk-hpipe-shorty-catted-9604.html

http://www.stangmods.com/TK-7995-MAC-Mustang-V6-Cat-Back-Exhaust-p/00390.htm

http://www.stangmods.com/MAC-Long-Tube-Headers-for-94-97-01-04-V6-Mustang-p/00636.htm <-- Not the actual price I paid or where I got it from. I was able to get it direct from a MAC employee for about 40 cheaper. I just using this link for reference.

I expect roughly 15HP gain considering I already have an aftermarket exhaust. The hi-flow cats will free up about 5 or so HP, and the headers another 10-15HP. And thats a pretty low estimate, but I dont like over estimating on HP.

After this I am going to get it dryno tested. Time to see what all my hard work/cash has done so far. Would be VERY happy with 200ish RWHP. Stock GTs only have about 210-220 of the same year.

I don't see why you wouldn't have more then 200 HP with these modifications. Stock the V6 2003 Mustang makes 193HP. Of course over time you will lose horsepower but I doubt you would have much less.

However a V8 2003 Mustang makes 260 HP.

And to think that my Camaro made only 135 HP from the factory and even in it's current oil burning, knocking and possibly misfiring situation is as fun to drive as it is. :D

[Retrospekt]

I don't see why you wouldn't have more then 200 HP with these modifications. Stock the V6 2003 Mustang makes 193HP. Of course over time you will lose horsepower but I doubt you would have much less.

However a V8 2003 Mustang makes 260 HP.

And to think that my Camaro made only 135 HP from the factory and even in it's current oil burning, knocking and possibly misfiring situation is as fun to drive as it is. :D

You know, it's pretty sad that Chevy's sports automobile has equivalent horsepower to my 96 4 cylinder Camry. :p I'm just kidding, I do like those cars a lot.

As for the Stang: Nice looking exhaust, weird looking headers.

[Bear]

I don't see why you wouldn't have more then 200 HP with these modifications. Stock the V6 2003 Mustang makes 193HP. Of course over time you will lose horsepower but I doubt you would have much less.

However a V8 2003 Mustang makes 260 HP.

And to think that my Camaro made only 135 HP from the factory and even in it's current oil burning, knocking and possibly misfiring situation is as fun to drive as it is. :D

GDP is referring to rear wheel horsepower...

[GDP]

GDP is referring to rear wheel horsepower...

Yeah thanks Bear. Rear wheel horse power is a lot less then the crank HP. Especially being I have an auto. A lot of power is lost in the drive train.

[The Free Man]

You know, it's pretty sad that Chevy's sports automobile has equivalent horsepower to my 96 4 cylinder Camry. :p I'm just kidding, I do like those cars a lot.

As for the Stang: Nice looking exhaust, weird looking headers.

I have the V6, that's why. :p

GDP is referring to rear wheel horsepower...

I thought something was wrong when he didn't know how much HP his own car makes. :doh: I have much to learn.....

[GDP]

You know, it's pretty sad that Chevy's sports automobile has equivalent horsepower to my 96 4 cylinder Camry. :p I'm just kidding, I do like those cars a lot.

As for the Stang: Nice looking exhaust, weird looking headers.

I suppose they are weird looking, dont have anything to reference against as Ive only owned this mustang :P They are Long Tube headers though. So it will be louder and hopefully not raspy. Will post a vid once done.

I have the V6, that's why. :p



I thought something was wrong when he didn't know how much HP his own car makes. :doh: I have much to learn.....

We all, save maybe a few people on here :) (you know who you are) still have a lot to learn.

[GDP]

I hate double posting but ......

Ok new exhaust is now installed. Man does it sound really good at the lower RPMs (0-2k). After about 2k it gets a little high pitched, but not like ricey (not an insult against imports) or anything. Then after the gears shift it kicks back down again and sounds REALLY good at cruising speeds. Usually 35, 45, 55 its really mellow, probably more so then my original setup.

It actually sounds really close to a V8 when taking off from a stop somewhat slowly. Not like creeping but just a normal take off. It has that ........ bubbley sound lol. I am very happy with it, and hope to have a video of it when possible. Probably next friday when I meet with the car club and can have someone film it.

Funny thing to note, a few things went pretty badly with the setup lol. At first the passenger side header flange (at the collector side) was touching the auto tranny pan. Now these headers are supposed to fit both auto and manual ...... but as you can see they have some slight fitment issues. All we had to do was grind off one side of the flange on both the mid pipe (H pipe) and the flange on the header and that took care of that. A lot was not taken off so it should still be pretty strong.

Also the hangers I already had on my original setup were not ... compatible with my new ones lol. We had to weld some metal pieces onto the catback pieces to get it to work. And even now it still doesnt 100% work because the driver side bend near the rear shock touches together. Not a lot, but enough to affect my suspension some as it sqeeks a bit when I hit a big bump. This will all be fixed once I get the proper GT hanger kit for like $50 or so. Luckily the original pieces for the exhaust hangers (the welded on metal bars) were not significantly modified, just an extra peices welded onto them. So once I have the new hangers all I have to do is grind that adapters off.

It was an intersting 8 hours that caused me to be late for work. Heh.

[niightingale]

whats the mileage on your car? :O

[GDP]

53k