Hello, let me introduce myself, my name is Kyle and in 2002 I turned 16 years old and bought a 2002 v3.8L Ford Mustang. With movies like 2fast2furious, games like NFSU and everyone in the school parking reving up their engines, everyone has been trying to figure out how to make their car faster and what they should do to it first. Well if you own a 3.8L Mustang 99-04 here are some tips for you. The tips may also work for the pre 99 Mustang, as well as the new 2005(4.0L) Mustangs.

Ebay

Ebay: I don't care if your trying to rebuild your entire car, or just add a few ponies Ebay is the place to be. Everything talked about in this guide can be found right here on Ebay at the cheapest prices on the net. From bodykits, to exhaust kits, to rims and tires, to turbo and superchargers, Ebay is a customizers dream.

Cold air intake

COLD AIR INTAKE (CAI): A cold air intake is one of the first mods most people add on their stangs for various reasons. One reason a cold air intake is used is to give your car a more "show" type look. Cold air intakes can be bought in Chrome, or ABS plastic. Chrome is going to give you car more of a "show" type look and ABS plastic will almost have a stock look to it, great for anybody who wants that stock under hood look. The second reason is because stock intake systems are very restrictive, and a cold air intake will have less restriction. More air flow equals more horsepower. Price on cold air intkaes range from $40 to $200+, and hp gains  range from 3-12rwh depending on where you get your numbers from.

Cat-Back Exhaust

Exhaust: The part of the exhaust from where you catalyc converters end is called the "cat-back", mustangs are even firing engines and do not need a midpipe and basically only change the sound of the exhaust. Stock Mustang exhaust is very restrictive and does not flow well so, their are several ways to go about your exhaust, this is another popular mod for v6 mustangs as most people love the look of the GT's true dual exhaust, and the louder rumble of an aftermarket exhaust system. The exhaust on a stock v6 mustang is very simple it starts out at the intake mainfolds (headers) travels down to four catalyc converters (two on each side) goes into a Y pipe and exits the car via a single turn down exhaust tip. The look of this single turn down, and sound of the exhaust may not please everyone so what can we do about this? Most people just go to an exhaust shop and have a custom exhaust kit fabricated for them, this usually consist of cutting the Y pipe and running two pipes from the headers all the way back to the rear of the car and finally adding some exhaust tips. This type of setup is considered a TRUE DUAL setup as no midpipe is used.(x,h,y) Another way you can go about this is buying a catback exhaust kit. The systems usually bolt right up, and can be done with two people in an afternoon. Both ways are going to cost you about $300-$500+ and give you a 7-15hp increase.

UNDERDRIVE PULLIES

Underdrive Pullies: Underdrive Pullies free up some horsepower caused buy freeing up accessory drag. Depending on which kit you purchase you may have problems with your alternator keeping up as it will be turning slower. With a big audio system this might not be the mod for you unless you make sure the alternator is overdriven. Underdrive Pullies are one of the best mods which should give you about 10-15rwh, with prices around $150.

Engine Tuner

Tuner: This is one of the best itmes you can buy for your mustang. A tuner can make your car feel like a totally new machine. Tuners simply plug into your diagnostics port, and you can always go back to your original tune. You can remove your rev limiter, remove the limit on how fast your car will go, change your shift points, read check engine codes, almost anything with a tuner. Most tuners come with just one program but some come with three or more so you can set custom tunes for your driving needs. Tuners may or maynot give you extra hp depending on how you have it tuned. Most tunes can be sent back in for more programs, or have USB cables where you can download them from your home computer. Tuners range from $225 to$ 350+ depending on how many programs and what options you have programed.

Posi - Track

Positive Traction: When you step on the gas in your 3.8L mustang and want to leave some ruber on the ground we only leave one stripe.(horrible looking) The 3.8L mustangs have an open differential and both wheels do not get power when the gas is applied. One of the best things to do to a 3.8L mustang is go with a Posi-Trac (limited slip) This will apply power to both rear tires and give you that dual stripe down the highway. Posi trac will add no real rwh but it will give you beter acceleration. Posi - Trac ranges from $50 used to $200+ brand new

SUPER/TURBOCHARGING

Super/Turbocharging: So you say you've already done ever single mod i've listed in this gude? Your asking yourself ,"Kyle what if I want even more?" Well the answer to that is a Super/Turbocharger. Both the supercharger, and turbocharger are forms of forced induction (prepare to toss that CAI). They both work buy pushing more air into the motor, more air equals more horse power. Most of the forced induction kits out for our 3.8L mustang will put you well ahead of a stock mustang GT, and have you tearing up the pavement everytime you get a chance to press the gas. Their are several supercharger kits out their for the mustang but for a turbo setup you will need to fabricate one yourself using the parts here on EBAY, or order one from www.tmaturbo.com. Forced induction kits range from $2600-$4000+, but you do get what you pay for with 50-80% hp gains form just the forced induction alone.

Final Words

I do appreciate you  reading my guide, and hope you will have a fun time customizing your Ford Mustang. Remember that STREET RACING IS NEVER SAFE, keep it at the track.  I hope my tips have helped you make your pony be the best it can be. - Kyle