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3.9L V6 Questions
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Posted by: MustangRich04

So, I am only 17 and my parents bought me a 2004 3.9L Automatic Mustang and I plan on doing some stuff to it. I dont want to do an engine swap because it would cost too much and be too much work. What would you recommend to get around 450HP? I also want to go dual exhaust but I dont know which kind will make it sound the best. Would A body kit do ok on ride height and stuff like that. Sorry that this is so long but I'm young and I want to learn!

Posted by: Rick Sample

Quote:

Originally Posted by MustangRich04

So, I am only 17 and my parents bought me a 2004 3.9L Automatic Mustang and I plan on doing some stuff to it. I dont want to do an engine swap because it would cost too much and be too much work. What would you recommend to get around 450HP? I also want to go dual exhaust but I dont know which kind will make it sound the best. Would A body kit do ok on ride height and stuff like that. Sorry that this is so long but I'm young and I want to learn!

I believe the 2004 Ford Mustang V6's have around 190HP so you need aprox 260 additional HP added. To achive this kind of power, you will need a nice bank account. For starters, your going to have to have a supercharger (Around $2,500-$3,000) and that alone won't give you anymore than maybe 60-75HP.

For the exhaust, I would highly recommend Flowmaster. Make sure you get at least 3" tips. They sound awesome and not ricey at all!

Posted by: Rick Sample

As for body mods, I would only suggest a body kit if you don't drive the car every day to and from work. My favorites would be the Cobra-R and Saleen

Posted by: primergray

To get 450 HP you need to visit this site:

www.supersixmotorsports.com

Be prepared for "sticker shock"!!

As for exhaust, I run a catback true dual, 2.25 pipes, with MagnaFlow mufflers. I like them so much that I am getting the same set up installed on the 3.8L I just bought.

I am 39 and just started on "sixers". I searched alot on this site as many of the questions I had were already covered many times.

Hope this helps!!

Posted by: Mustang5L5

It would actually be cheaper to swap ina 4.2L engine...but even that won't give you 450HP.

It's hard enough for us V8 guys to hit 450HP.

Posted by: kissajew86

a 2004 v6 has a 3.8 not a 3.9

how much money do you have to spend to reach your goal?

at 450 hp you not only have issues makeing that power but also issues with stuff breaking such as rear end, motor, ect

the auto tranny should hold with somew mods....

but that brings us back to the question, how much money do you have?

Posted by: Mustang5L5

Quote:

Originally Posted by kissajew86

a 2004 v6 has a 3.8 not a 3.9?

It is a 3.9L. Ford increased the displacement slight from 232ci to 239ci. Same engine otherwise and no real bump in HP..maybe 0.25HP

Posted by: MustangRich04

Quote:

Originally Posted by kissajew86

a 2004 v6 has a 3.8 not a 3.9

how much money do you have to spend to reach your goal?

at 450 hp you not only have issues makeing that power but also issues with stuff breaking such as rear end, motor, ect

the auto tranny should hold with somew mods....

but that brings us back to the question, how much money do you have?

Well it doesn't have to be like 450 hp, i just want to get what I can out of it. What I'm going for is a good look and enough power to have a lot of fun in. I would like to be able to get respect from others that always rev up when they see me. I would get a V8 but the insurance would kill me cause I'm only 17. The V6 insurance is already bad enough!

Posted by: 94gtstang50

Just sell the car and get a built fox or sn with the cash. Thats the easiest way to make 400+ hp.

Posted by: ExBamaGal

First of all, welcome to the site

As for the duals...I have flowmasters and love them. Nice sound and it turns some heads.

If you're going for looks I would recommend lowering springs (to get rid of that 4x4 look), window tint, a Mach1 chin spoiler and new wheels. Those four things will make a big difference.

Post up some pics of your car when you get a chance

Posted by: MustangRich04

Quote:

Originally Posted by ExBamaGal

First of all, welcome to the site

OK, so I got new wheels and tires (For tires I went with Pirelli P Nero, 245 width and they do a really good job in the rain and dry), I have a Mustang running down the width of my car and I have hood stripes (not the viper kind either). So will the chin spoiler make that big of a difference? I havent actually seen one. I'll Post pics tomorrow

Posted by: ExBamaGal

Here are a few pictures to show the difference. To me it made a big difference but I guess it all depends on what you like.

Before:

After:

Posted by: kissajew86

again what is your budget? if i know how much you can spend we can get the biggest bang for your buck preformance wise

Posted by: MustangRich04

Quote:

Originally Posted by ExBamaGal

Here are a few pictures to show the difference. To me it made a big difference but I guess it all depends on what you like.

I like the look. My girlfriend's dad does body work to cars and he recommends not putting on a body kit so I will prolly go with the chin spoiler. Thanks. What suspension do you recommend?

Posted by: MustangRich04

Quote:

Originally Posted by kissajew86

again what is your budget? if i know how much you can spend we can get the biggest bang for your buck preformance wise

Well I dont have to pay for anything except the parts and getting them put on. My parents pay for my insurance and my gas. So basically I can get anything if I saved up

Posted by: 94gtstang50

I miss the good old days.

Posted by: ExBamaGal

Quote:

Originally Posted by MustangRich04

I like the look. My girlfriend's dad does body work to cars and he recommends not putting on a body kit so I will prolly go with the chin spoiler. Thanks. What suspension do you recommend?

I have the Eibach Pro-kit springs with Tokico HP shocks/struts. The ride is a little rougher than stock but she definately handles much better.

Posted by: MustangRich04

Quote:

Originally Posted by ExBamaGal

I have the Eibach Pro-kit springs with Tokico HP shocks/struts. The ride is a little rougher than stock but she definately handles much better.

And can you lower the car with those? P.S. I have the same wheels as on the black Mustang

Posted by: 94gtstang50

You save a lot by doing the work yourself, get a clintons or haynes manual so you know how to take stuff apart. Remember the less you pay a shop, the more you have to spend on stuff.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MustangRich04

And can you lower the car with those? P.S. I have the same wheels as on the black Mustang

Yes you can, the car will sit real nice with those.

Posted by: ExBamaGal

Quote:

Originally Posted by MustangRich04

And can you lower the car with those? P.S. I have the same wheels as on the black Mustang

Yes, they lowered my car (the one in the pics) 1.5".

As 94gtstang said...if at all possible, do the work yourself. You can find how-to's online that will give you step by step instructions. If you need any help finding them let me know

Posted by: MustangRich04

Quote:

Originally Posted by 94gtstang50

You save a lot by doing the work yourself, get a clintons or haynes manual so you know how to take stuff apart. Remember the less you pay a shop, the more you have to spend on stuff.

Yes you can, the car will sit real nice with those.

I took my car in the other day and found out that the struts are leaking. Perfect excuse to get the new ones!

Posted by: Mustang5L5

leaking struts on a 2004???

Posted by: MustangRich04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mustang5L5

leaking struts on a 2004???

Yeah I know I didnt think they were leaking. But then I put it on the lift and checked them and they are leaking. The back ones were anyways

Posted by: Mustang5L5

Ah, back ones are shocks. I'm amazed they are leaking so soon. They are a VERY easy fix to do and a good repair to cut your teeth on.

Posted by: MustangRich04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mustang5L5

Ah, back ones are shocks. I'm amazed they are leaking so soon. They are a VERY easy fix to do and a good repair to cut your teeth on.

Also, my brakes are pulsating. I dont want to just rotate my rotors, I was thinking about getting new brakes so they will dissipate the heat better and stop better. What kind of brakes do you think I should get?

Posted by: Mustang5L5

Quote:

Originally Posted by MustangRich04

Well you don't rotate your rotors, you turn or cut them.

In reality, stock rotors give you the best heat dissipation. I won't go into engineerng points behind it but crossdrilled rotors (for Mustangs) are strictly for show. Just have your front rotors cut and install new pads and replace the rear rotors and install new pads? If you want to increase performance, you can do a bullitt front 13" brake upgrade but you'll need 17" wheels to clear the big rotors.

How many miles does your car have if the brakes are warped already?

You should probably take care of basic maintainence like this first before worrying about mods

Posted by: MustangRich04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mustang5L5

Well we got the car used with 18,000 miles, right now it has 40,000 miles. The brakes just started pulsating. But my best friends dad is a mechanic and he'll help me get my brakes done and I'll do the springs soon. Those are the only two problems that the car has.