Recommended newb MM mods

[fordmike65]

I've had my MM just over a month & I'm getting the itch to do some minor modding. It's currently my DD, do don't wanna do anything too drastic...yet. So I hear the first thing is a tune. I recently picked up an xcal & am working on getting a tune from Mo. I have a K&N cai in the mail and am wondering what else I should do before we hammer out a tune. I've heard a lot about swapping in 4:10's. I feel it takes a bit to get this beast going off the line, so I'm sure the deeper gears will get her out of the hole quicker. How bad will this affect my mileage? Anyone tried 3:73's, or is that not enough of a difference to even bother? Also thinking of deleting the rear cats for now. Might go with long tube headers down the road when the wallet permits. Is there anything else anyone would recommend? Underdrive pulleys? Injectors? Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks! Mike

[JBeezy]

4.10 Gears and a tune. J-Mod if it doesn't already have that done. Just my $.02


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[fastblackmerc]

I've had my MM just over a month & I'm getting the itch to do some minor modding. It's currently my DD, do don't wanna do anything too drastic...yet. So I hear the first thing is a tune. I recently picked up an xcal & am working on getting a tune from Mo. I have a K&N cai in the mail and am wondering what else I should do before we hammer out a tune. I've heard a lot about swapping in 4:10's. I feel it takes a bit to get this beast going off the line, so I'm sure the deeper gears will get her out of the hole quicker. How bad will this affect my mileage? Anyone tried 3:73's, or is that not enough of a difference to even bother? Also thinking of deleting the rear cats for now. Might go with long tube headers down the road when the wallet permits. Is there anything else anyone would recommend? Underdrive pulleys? Injectors? Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks! Mike

Don't even think of going with 3.73's, you'll never notice the difference.

You'll lose about 1 - 2 MPG going with 4.10's... well worth it IMHO.

Under drive pulleys are a good mod.

Upper & lower rear control arms from Metco.

Upgraded front & rear sway bars from Addco.

Colder plugs, your tune will have to take advantage of these.

Colder thermostat, your tune will have to take advantage of this.

Front end aligned to carfixers specs.. your front tires will love you for it.

[gdsqdcr]

4.10's are the way to go. I drive 80 miles a day in SF Bay Area traffic with a somewhat heavy foot keeping it at 72-75mph, I average 17.5mpg.

[ctrlraven]

Don't even think of going with 3.73's, you'll never notice the difference.

You'll lose about 1 - 2 MPG going with 4.10's... well worth it IMHO.

Under drive pulleys are a good mod.

Upper & lower rear control arms from Metco.

Upgraded front & rear sway bars from Addco.

Colder plugs, your tune will have to take advantage of these.

Colder thermostat, your tune will have to take advantage of this.

Front end aligned to carfixers specs.. your front tires will love you for it.
These are the very good basic starter mods and will make a big difference on the car from what you are used to now. As JBeezy mentioned, the J-mod is another good mod.

[fordmike65]

Don't even think of going with 3.73's, you'll never notice the difference.

You'll lose about 1 - 2 MPG going with 4.10's... well worth it IMHO.

Under drive pulleys are a good mod.

Upper & lower rear control arms from Metco.

Upgraded front & rear sway bars from Addco.

Colder plugs, your tune will have to take advantage of these.

Colder thermostat, your tune will have to take advantage of this.

Front end aligned to carfixers specs.. your front tires will love you for it.

Thanks for all the tips guys. What plugs do you recommend? This pulley kit?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&vxp=mtr&item=181231550023#ht_466wt_139 6

[justbob]

Whipple 4.0
Built 5.3
6L80 trans
9" Currie
4.30's
Roll cage
:D



Self proclaimed Builder Of Badassery.

Buy it, Break it, Build it BETTER.
"Since 2004"

[fordmike65]

Whipple 4.0
Built 5.3
6L80 trans
9" Currie
4.30's
Roll cage
:D



Self proclaimed Builder Of Badassery.

Buy it, Break it, Build it BETTER.
"Since 2004"


I've had my MM just over a month & I'm getting the itch to do some MINOR modding. IT'S CURRENTLY MY DD, SO I DON'T WANNA DO ANYTHING TOO DRASTIC

Thanks for the advice Justbob. That might be just a tad out of my reach right now :)

[BAD MERC]

Definitely gears!!! Also do a cold air intake and mufflers if you want it to sound like it has balls. A programmer will do amazing things!!

[ctrlraven]

Thanks for all the tips guys. What plugs do you recommend? This pulley kit?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&vxp=mtr&item=181231550023#ht_466wt_139 6
Talk to your Tuner (Mo) and see what he recommends to be used along with his tune. I believe that pulley kit should work but I'm not 100% sure. I got mine used from another MM owner.

With doing the UDP, you will want to bump your Idle rpm in Drive up to 800 to ensure proper charging while stopped at a light or whatever.

[Mebot]

Painting your calipers and tinting your Windows adds an additional 0 hp but +1000 in looks

sent from a Samsung Galaxy far far away...

[Brad33]

Cut off 3/4+ coils off the front and adjust the back. Quick and easy mod.


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[WhatsUpDOHC]

I've had my MM just over a month & I'm getting the itch to do some MINOR modding. IT'S CURRENTLY MY DD, SO I DON'T WANNA DO ANYTHING TOO DRASTIC

Thanks for the advice Justbob. That might be just a tad out of my reach right now :)
He gave you the *easy*list. He didn't include the manual trans swap.

[Comin' in Hot]

My advice: leave it alone!!!! It will ruin your bank account and lead you to crazy people

[fordmike65]

My advice: leave it alone!!!! It will ruin your bank account and lead you to crazy people


I'm starting to realize that! I'm already spreading myself too thin with my other cars & hobbies, so I can't get too crazy with this. So on my list so far are:
1)Tune
2)4:10 swap
3)CAI
4)Rear cat delete
5)Will ask Mo about plugs & t-stat

On the fence about:
-Underdrive pulley set
-Mufflers. Wanna see how it sounds with rear cats removed

I've already re-aligned it to updated specs.

Other non-engine performance mods soon to come:
1)window tint
2)sway bars

Someday mods...
1)SW longtube headers
2)Metco arms/Watts link

Anything else I should consider? Short of a power adder of course.:(

[jsignorelli]

When installing 4.10 gears, did the speedometer get really out of sync?
Did anyone also install a new differential cover also so as to adjust the tension on the bearing caps? Harder acceleration tends to stress the entire pumpkin, and a new billet cover is insurance.

[WPG_Merc]

Two other good mods are PHP Intake Spacer & Stewart Water Pump will
help too.:burnout:

http:///www.paulshp.com/mach-1.html

http://www.stewartcomponents.net/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=STE50046S&Category_Code=FMUSTHPR

[WPG_Merc]

On my MM I use a TA Girdle Cover with the 4:10s since 08.
And never had any trouble with it. :burnout:

http://www.amazon.com/TA-Performance-TA-1806-Girdle-Cover/dp/B003T1PO0S

[92BlackGT]

-Mufflers. Wanna see how it sounds with rear cats removed


i think the stock mufflers sound great with the rear cats removed. it has a good, aggressive sound while on the gas but nice and quiet while cruising. definitely wait on the mufflers

[jsignorelli]

Thanks for the input. TA cover and 4.10 gears ordered from Amazon.
Let the games begin!

[fastblackmerc]

When installing 4.10 gears, did the speedometer get really out of sync?
Did anyone also install a new differential cover also so as to adjust the tension on the bearing caps? Harder acceleration tends to stress the entire pumpkin, and a new billet cover is insurance.

Speedo can be corrected in your tune.

The differential cover with the bearing cap supports is a good low cost mod. Also I'd replace the bearing caps bolts with the hardened stud kit while you are in there. Studs are stronger than bolts. You also get increased fluid capacity with the new cover and a convenient drain plug.

BTW.... the torque on the bearing cap supports in 5ft lbs. any tighter and you mess up the caps. You should also use thread sealer on the supports because some of them leak.

[jsignorelli]

I found two great speed shops in my area that I want to share with group
1. Stage 1 Performance, in Pompton Plains NJ They got my '93 Mustang running like a tiger. All 620 RWHP are back. They can do any build up or Mod you can think of.
Ask for Rob.

2. Second Street Speed, in Perkasie Pa. does dyno tunes and can burn chips to make a VW beetle act like a Shelby. I was given their name by Rob at Stage 1 Performance. I was worth the 100 mile drive for me. Ask for Bill.

[TP Derrick D]

Painting your calipers and tinting your Windows adds an additional 0 hp but +1000 in looks

sent from a Samsung Galaxy far far away...
What he said ^^^^ about looks also applies when adding a Mach 1 chin spoiler, a rear wing & SS inserts if you don't have them already.

[tbone]

Tune, cold air kit and 4.10's are the first three mods. For most people, these are all you will ever need to do to the car performance wise.

As stated, tinting the windows is a must in the looks department.