So im going to upgrade my 4.6L 2v! Need Advice!!
10-23-2012 | 02:19 AM
#1
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 199
From: Langley, BC
So im going to upgrade my 4.6L 2v! Need Advice!!
Hey guys! So recently just purchased a bone stock Automatic 2003 GT. It's fun to drive, but its time for some more power!! 
Im totally new to these cars and I would like some input on some ideas I have had! First im trying to find out how much my tranny can take or if I'll have to build it up cause it's my Daily Driver! Second the mods I was thinking were:
Full exhaust (MAC Chromed long tubes, Mac Pro-chamber Shorty Mid pipe, and MAC Catback), 4:10 (gears plan to stick N/A) with a Bama tune on 91, Accufab 70MM TB and Plenum combo, BBK CAI (or JLT next Gen.), Steeda UDP's or BBK (hate piggyback
), and Last but not least, a Cam. I was thinking stage II, as I hear might as well go for Stage II for power etc. The whole PTV clearance thing seems to be an issue however, and I heard VT, and Hitech were good for that! Let me know! 
Im totally new to these cars and I would like some input on some ideas I have had! First im trying to find out how much my tranny can take or if I'll have to build it up cause it's my Daily Driver! Second the mods I was thinking were:Full exhaust (MAC Chromed long tubes, Mac Pro-chamber Shorty Mid pipe, and MAC Catback), 4:10 (gears plan to stick N/A) with a Bama tune on 91, Accufab 70MM TB and Plenum combo, BBK CAI (or JLT next Gen.), Steeda UDP's or BBK (hate piggyback
), and Last but not least, a Cam. I was thinking stage II, as I hear might as well go for Stage II for power etc. The whole PTV clearance thing seems to be an issue however, and I heard VT, and Hitech were good for that! Let me know!
10-23-2012 | 09:50 AM
#2
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,871
From: Slave Lake, AB
It looks like you've got a pretty good list there. Personally I would stay away from chromed headers as the finish won't last. Ceramic coated is more expensive but will look better for longer. I'm not sure if BBK cai are still chrome but I would also stay away from a metal cai. They will get much hotter which will give you warmer air into the engine, the colder the air the better. As far as cams go you will need 2 but I've always heard good things about vt.
10-23-2012 | 11:35 AM
#3
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 21
From: oshawa
The cams will have to be degreed in, regardless which make you go with. You will also need valve springs.
CAI choose what you think looks best. Metal or plastic doesnt matter. The air is not in the tube long enough to get heated up. Its where the air is drawn from that matters.
Your transmission will be fine with those mods.
CAI choose what you think looks best. Metal or plastic doesnt matter. The air is not in the tube long enough to get heated up. Its where the air is drawn from that matters.
Your transmission will be fine with those mods.
10-23-2012 | 03:10 PM
#4
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Joined: Oct 2012
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From: Langley, BC
Okay thanks guys! I might as well just go plastic intake, from JLT, heard lots of good things about them, but your right bbk intake is chrome which spruces the engine! As for the chrome headers they were good looking and a little less expensive haha, that's why I chose them, but makes sense, I'll grab a set of ceramic coated ones. And yea I figured some degreeing would be needed, and ill make sure to grab springs. I just hope I don't need to screw around with the pistons.
Last edited by xGHOSTx; 10-23-2012 at 09:35 PM.
10-23-2012 | 09:48 PM
#5
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 17,778
From: Ontario
You got a good plan!
You should not have any issues with ptv contact with the VT cams which are now Cushman stage II N/A cams which do require valve springs. I know you will be safe, i have them myself.
And also, being an automatic, you will most likely need to look into a stall converter to match the cams.
For pulleys, stick with the Steeda underdrive pulleys, they are SFI approved, and their pulleys are the only pulleys engineered through their unique partnership in Ford's technology transfer program to have the proper torsional vibration dampening characteristics for your 4.6L engine.
As for cold air intakes. There are topics over topics from the beginning of time of the 4.6L in the Mustang accross the mustang interweb world. Some say that the metal tubed ones are no good as it will trap heat, and suck heat , and would be more noticable after cruising around for awhile, but at the drags, no big deal since all one.... the driver, is doing is a pass or two at WOT at a time...... And others swear by the PVC, or plastic ones as they do not heat up like the metal tubed ones, and do not trap heat. I've done both, and personally i like the JLT plastic type. But that is my opinion.
And there is others accross the interweb world say it's a waste of money, and again, in my opinion it's one of those mods that compliments the other mods like heads, cams, exhaust, and induction, but by itself, no seat out of the pants feel, or little to no gains at all.
Good luck with your build, looking forward to seeing your GT become it's own.
You should not have any issues with ptv contact with the VT cams which are now Cushman stage II N/A cams which do require valve springs. I know you will be safe, i have them myself.
And also, being an automatic, you will most likely need to look into a stall converter to match the cams.For pulleys, stick with the Steeda underdrive pulleys, they are SFI approved, and their pulleys are the only pulleys engineered through their unique partnership in Ford's technology transfer program to have the proper torsional vibration dampening characteristics for your 4.6L engine.
As for cold air intakes. There are topics over topics from the beginning of time of the 4.6L in the Mustang accross the mustang interweb world. Some say that the metal tubed ones are no good as it will trap heat, and suck heat , and would be more noticable after cruising around for awhile, but at the drags, no big deal since all one.... the driver, is doing is a pass or two at WOT at a time...... And others swear by the PVC, or plastic ones as they do not heat up like the metal tubed ones, and do not trap heat. I've done both, and personally i like the JLT plastic type. But that is my opinion.
And there is others accross the interweb world say it's a waste of money, and again, in my opinion it's one of those mods that compliments the other mods like heads, cams, exhaust, and induction, but by itself, no seat out of the pants feel, or little to no gains at all.
Good luck with your build, looking forward to seeing your GT become it's own.
10-23-2012 | 10:04 PM
#6
Thread Starter
CMOC Rookie
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 199
From: Langley, BC
You got a good plan!
You should not have any issues with ptv contact with the VT cams which are now Cushman stage II N/A cams which do require valve springs. I know you will be safe, i have them myself. And also, being an automatic, you will most likely need to look into a stall converter to match the cams.
For pulleys, stick with the Steeda underdrive pulleys, they are SFI approved, and their pulleys are the only pulleys engineered through their unique partnership in Ford's technology transfer program to have the proper torsional vibration dampening characteristics for your 4.6L engine.
As for cold air intakes. There are topics over topics from the beginning of time of the 4.6L in the Mustang accross the mustang interweb world. Some say that the metal tubed ones are no good as it will trap heat, and suck heat , and would be more noticable after cruising around for awhile, but at the drags, no big deal since all one.... the driver, is doing is a pass or two at WOT at a time...... And others swear by the PVC, or plastic ones as they do not heat up like the metal tubed ones, and do not trap heat. I've done both, and personally i like the JLT plastic type. But that is my opinion.
And there is others accross the interweb world say it's a waste of money, and again, in my opinion it's one of those mods that compliments the other mods like heads, cams, exhaust, and induction, but by itself, no seat out of the pants feel, or little to no gains at all.
Good luck with your build, looking forward to seeing your GT become it's own.
You should not have any issues with ptv contact with the VT cams which are now Cushman stage II N/A cams which do require valve springs. I know you will be safe, i have them myself.
And also, being an automatic, you will most likely need to look into a stall converter to match the cams.For pulleys, stick with the Steeda underdrive pulleys, they are SFI approved, and their pulleys are the only pulleys engineered through their unique partnership in Ford's technology transfer program to have the proper torsional vibration dampening characteristics for your 4.6L engine.
As for cold air intakes. There are topics over topics from the beginning of time of the 4.6L in the Mustang accross the mustang interweb world. Some say that the metal tubed ones are no good as it will trap heat, and suck heat , and would be more noticable after cruising around for awhile, but at the drags, no big deal since all one.... the driver, is doing is a pass or two at WOT at a time...... And others swear by the PVC, or plastic ones as they do not heat up like the metal tubed ones, and do not trap heat. I've done both, and personally i like the JLT plastic type. But that is my opinion.
And there is others accross the interweb world say it's a waste of money, and again, in my opinion it's one of those mods that compliments the other mods like heads, cams, exhaust, and induction, but by itself, no seat out of the pants feel, or little to no gains at all.
Good luck with your build, looking forward to seeing your GT become it's own.
CMS 2v Stage 2 N/A Cams - Cushman Motorsports
Assuming that's the place to get them, they recommend valve springs and a 2800 stall converter for us Auto's! I don't care a whole lot for gas or I wouldn't have bought the stang but how much will these cams ruin it!?
10-23-2012 | 10:15 PM
#7
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 17,778
From: Ontario
It all depends on your driving style, and tune.
I remember back in the day when fuel prices wasn't such a headache, i could drive to T.O and back on a half a tank of gas, give or take... with my cammed, 4.10 geared GT, but it has a 5 speed, and that is cruising at 120ish at maybe 2600 rpm. Today with the current gas prices, i could not tell you, i haven't driven my GT outside of London for a few years LOL, now 20 bucks could last me a month, maybe a week, or one day, but that is because i don't drive my GT much these days with having a family of 5.
I remember back in the day when fuel prices wasn't such a headache, i could drive to T.O and back on a half a tank of gas, give or take... with my cammed, 4.10 geared GT, but it has a 5 speed, and that is cruising at 120ish at maybe 2600 rpm. Today with the current gas prices, i could not tell you, i haven't driven my GT outside of London for a few years LOL, now 20 bucks could last me a month, maybe a week, or one day, but that is because i don't drive my GT much these days with having a family of 5.
10-23-2012 | 10:27 PM
#8
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 199
From: Langley, BC
Lol! Tell me about it, gas prices are such an annoyance! I don't drive too hard, I treat her well, but I like to have my fun once and a while, LOL probably a lot more after I get upgrades however. When you say tune, im just thinking Bama SCT 91 tune or 89 depending, but should I get it tuned on a dyno?
10-23-2012 | 10:44 PM
#9
Administrator
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 17,778
From: Ontario
I hear you, it's fun to drive a little spirited, but sucks watching the gas gauge go down, but in all honesty, the fuel consumption in my GT has never bothered me, i bought it to enjoy, even though it's hard for me to these days, but my daily drivers, i try everything in my power to save on fuel LMAO!!
As for tune, you will need a custom dyno tune once you do the cams, you just cannot go out and by a pre programmed hand held tuner once you do cams.
So my suggestion to you is....
1. save for everything and tune it once, or
2. do all the bolts ons, and then get the cold air intake, and sct combo, plus, since you are planning on gears, you will need the sct tuner for that aswell, then do the cams last. Once you have the cams installed bring the programmer with you to a dyno shop that you trust, and have a custom dyno tune done for your car. Doing it this way will save you money, and time if you plan on installing part by part.
Option 1 will take a little patience to do cause of time, and money unless you can afford to drop a crap load of money in one shot LOL!
As for tune, you will need a custom dyno tune once you do the cams, you just cannot go out and by a pre programmed hand held tuner once you do cams.
So my suggestion to you is....
1. save for everything and tune it once, or
2. do all the bolts ons, and then get the cold air intake, and sct combo, plus, since you are planning on gears, you will need the sct tuner for that aswell, then do the cams last. Once you have the cams installed bring the programmer with you to a dyno shop that you trust, and have a custom dyno tune done for your car. Doing it this way will save you money, and time if you plan on installing part by part.
Option 1 will take a little patience to do cause of time, and money unless you can afford to drop a crap load of money in one shot LOL!
10-24-2012 | 12:17 AM
#10
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 199
From: Langley, BC
Hahaha! Yea those damn gas gauges! Why do they even exist! Lol if it wasn't my daily driver then I wouldn't care as much! I like option #2, i'll probably go with the bolt ons, and when I get my gears grab the tuner. Do I need a certain tune for the gears or just what the hand held one comes with? And yea totally agree cams and a good dyno last! Cause unfortunetly I dont have boat loads of cash to drop lol!
