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The "Best" deals on parts
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Posted by: OldFart

A member recently asked "What are the best deals on parts for the 05" as part of another question.

Having been down that road, and spent a considerable amount of hard earned $$$ learning some expensive lessons, I feel strongly enough about this question to post a new thread in response.

First, FORGET ABOUT THE BEST DEAL. Regardless of what the part is, you're either going to spend your own time, or pay someone else, to install the part. In many instances, the time and aggravation, or the cost of labor to install, will exceed the cost of the part. Certainly it will exceed the difference in the cost of a "good deal" vs the cost of the right part.

Having said that, here are my recommendations:

1. Buy very good dampers. Buy the dampers and springs together as a system. If you're going to spend money here, spend the best part of your overall budget on good dampers. This more than anything else will affect how the car handles - whether you are a drag racer or a road racer, or just want good street performance. I am flat out-running cars that are lighter and have more Hp, because I'm getting the available power to the ground and the car is sticking better (on cheaper tires) than the other guy. I very much recommend adjustable dampers with height adjustment built in. I'm real partial to the Ground Control Suspension Koni coil-over set-up. But there are other good dampers out there. The point is - don't try to save money in this area, you wont' be happy with the results.

2. Avoid headers. The gain is minimal for the overall price of parts and labor. The stock manifolds are pretty good. If you just have to have them spend the extra $$ and get long tube.

3. Avoid most underdrive pully's. If you have to have them, get the March Fluid Damper. It's less than $150.00 and is a good damper that will protect your engine.

4. Wheels - spend the extra to buy ultralight wheels (size, color and shape are your choice). This gives a good return in performance as you are reducing unsprung weight and they are less mass and inertia for the engine to overcome. You will be able to tell the difference right away.

5. Cold Air Intake - Any will do, all are a good bang for the buck. Just avoid any CAI that doesn't have a shroud around the filter. Without a shroud you are just sucking hot engine air into the intake. It will be better than stock but not as good as it gets. I have the AFE Stage III and I'm very pleased with it. Looks almost stock and I got +26 rwhp with custom tuning.

6. Throttle body - your choice of BBK or the CMR 62 mm. I have the CMR and have seen dyno results of the BBk. Can't tell the difference. Either are good for about +20 rwhp with custom tuning.

7. Rear suspension parts - I've tried Metco and Steeda and settled on BMR. They make good parts and the upper link doesn't "slap" on a lowered car like it does with the Metco and Steeda parts. (My car is lowered over 1.5" and that's when you begin having trouble with Metco and Steeda.)

8. Adjustable panhard - You need this if you lower the car so you can re-center the rear axle. But if you really want the car to handle right just save your money and buy the Fays2 Watts link for the 05. Availability will be about two weeks from this post.

9. Hands down best bang for the buck - Custom tuning at the location of your choice.

I guess that's enough unsolicited advice for one post.

OldFart

Posted by: Donna

All good advice. I hope it will help others out.

Posted by: Mac

Thanks you fellow "Old Fart". All your advice is well taken. Saw a test from one of the Mustang magazines on headers. They gained around 5HP. Sure, if more changes had been made, the gains would have been more. Keep up the work for the rest of us. Kind of gets expensive to lead the route for good parts doesn't it?
Mac - 60 in Nov.

Posted by: Aussie XAXB

All excellent and great advice. It is certainly best to get it from someone that has been there, done that, did it again, threw is across the room, and did it again, dang it!

It has taken me a long long time and a lot of wasted time and money to finally admit to myself that saving a few bucks is not worth the extra bucks it is going to cost me down the road, or sometimes even the next day. I even made sure my wife understood that we have had enough experiences to understand that we don't get a deal with any deal. If we pay 1 1/2 times the deal and get something good it will be cheaper than paying twice for the same deal, as well as less headaches.

So now I will take some pain in the wallet. It will save me tons of headaches and heartaches in the long run.

Steve