Performance Aftermarket Autoparts
February 2nd, 2009
Performance, lets talk performance! What do you want out of your Mustang or any of your rides? Performance I hope! You can add a lot of aftermarket auto parts on your car without getting into the internals of your automobile engine. Again, there are hundreds, thousands of items available to the end user today. And with your late model ride, it makes it even easier to do so.
I thought to myself, what would I do with a Supercharger in my Mustang? Well I would have to say I would boost horsepower, but would never think that I could still use it as a daily driver! That was just the thing I had to hear. But now your talking headers, High Flow mufflers, H-Pipe, and more fuel, more air, the list can keep on going. Well now, like I said you can do upgrades without pulling the gas station behind you. In reality there are products that can help in gas mileage as well. But be real, are you going to keep your foot out of it, I dont think so. So what I am saying, you can mount a supercharger up to your stock engine, just have to watch how much boost you put in it, and with a little programing, possibly some bigger fuel injectors, that normally will come with the kit, is all you need! what are you waiting for, go get it MAN!
There are also a lot of cosmetic upgrades for under the hood. At least if you don’t want to pump the power, you can still look good, RIGHT! I like to dress up the hoses, radiator and such. There are some nice looking braided hose kits avalible that are easy to install and really make a difference in the looks under the hood. And why stop there when you can get some sweet aftermarket valve covers. Another nice look is to get them power coated. But you have to go without your ride for a bit till they are done. Lots of crome caps for all the nessasary oil, brake, radiator. Crome dip sticks…You got the idea!
I believe one of the easiest ways to get a bit of performance out of your Mustang and also a little noise, that would be exhaust systems. Exhaust systems come in many different types, so it is best to do your research! Stainless, mandrel bent pipe, H-pipe, X-pipe, high flow mufflers. I think you got the picture, or you can hear it! Headers, now if you are going to purchase some headers, do your self a favor and buy some good quality headers. Look at the flange thinkness, the pipe, whats it made of. Remeber the ol saying, you get what you pay for, well with headers that is exactly TRUE! Do you like to wrench on your ride more than you like to drive it,,,buy quality man!
I want to talk a little about cold air induction. I just love it when I see a guy open his hood and tells me he has cold air induction, when in fact all he has is HOT air induction. You know what I am talking about, he has that little piece of pipe coming off his mass air unit. HA! I say that because any time you put an open air filter that breaths from under your hood, you get what, hot air induction. Now some of you are saying, my factory air filter is under the hood!! Well yes it is, but it is pulling the air from the outside. That is why it is all boxed up and hard to get to when you wana change it. True cold air induction is and most of the time pulled in from outside the hood. Mine is located in the fender well. Some pull right from the hood. The hood has built in air inlets. Also some of us know this as Ram Air as well. There is a sweet air kit for the newer 2005 better, they have a great looking kit that pulls in right in the center front of the hood. great look and it is FUNCTIONAL!
OK All. I have gotten some slack about the cold air induction. Now yea I can say if your ride is set up for quarter mile runs, you may run a filter under the hood, but not for a daily driver. You want to pull cooler air into your engine. Cool air means more gas and GO!
OK, did I touch on suspension parts. I tell you when I lowered my Mustang it made a world of difference in the way it handled. Not that you are pulling all kinds of G-Force out on the road but it feels more like you have to drive it then it just lumbering down the road. You can order kits that come complete. I would recommend having this done by a professional! But you can buy the kit and then have an athorized machanic install it for you. I say this because there are dangers in pulling of springs, so dont get caught up in it and end up hurting yourself. Most kits, as well, come with aftermarket sway bars, shocks, neoprene bushings, etc…. Again this is a place you want to do your homework! Now dont go and take a heat torch and start heating up your springs so they will collapse and lower your car. Danger man , Danger! And believe me, I have heard guys doing this!
There are a lot of computer upgrade programmers as well on the market. Mine is a Hypertech, and it was very easy to install. Just plug and play. And the best deal about it, I can plug it in and upload it. What I am getting at is with the programmer, I was running high-octane gas, so when the prices were getting high, I took the programmer off and was able to run lower octane. So alot of times I would buy say, 89 octane and then add octane booster. Remember I drive my Stang as a daily driver in the summer. Yea, I can tell a difference without the programmer, but it isn’t like the end of the world!
Well I hope I was able to touch on a couple of items for you. Remember, check it out first before you buy. Do you homework. Be careful whom you buy from. Often men, well myself anyway, will get tunnel vision and all we do is go buy it. Then when we get home, opps….and then you hear that little noise in the back ground, told ya so….
