Looking for ideas on how-to hop up my '03 GT

[redfire vert]

Hello, I'm looking for product help on hopping up my '03 GT. Here's what I have in mind and perhaps you guys can suggest what products/parts I should run:

1. Cold air intake - I'm naturally thinking K&N, but was also considering either a Summit (which I believe is made by K&N but is a few bucks cheaper on Summit's site) or a Roush (just because of the name - is this also made by K&N?)

2. I would like to keep the factory headers (which I think are referred to as short tube) but replace the remaining pipes from the headers on back with off-road H-pipe w/o cats and magnaflow mufflers. What do you think of Jeg's H pipe for short tubes? From what I've read briefly, H's have a deeper tone than X's (if so, does this apply to all Xs).

3. Computer Chip - haven't even started researching this item, any help/considerations would be great.

4. Underdrive pulleys - again, on my list but looking for thoughts.

What else could or should I do? Keep in mind, I'm just trying to hop up a street car, I'm not racing with it but I want the performance on tap.

Also, I leave for work around 6:30 AM, how mad will I make my neighbors with the exhaust I have in mind?

Thanks.

[wick]

The exhaust wont be much louder than stock. I honestly dont like Magnaflows. I think it sounds like crap. I would try to find a set of used spintech's. They have a unique sound.

[Troll]

The exhaust wont be much louder than stock.

Are you drinking turkey grease already this morning or what? He said OFF-ROAD H. It will be loud, Redfire. Depends on how close to your neighbors you are and if they're gearheads...

5-SPEED OR AUTO?

You might want to consider steeper gears for the '03, a 70 or 75mm throttle body and an aftermarket upper plenum. If you go with 3.73 or 4.10, it'll FEEL like your car has 40 more horses and be much quicker off the line. The tb/plenum combo might give you 8-10 hp and it'll give you much better throttle response.

Oh, welcome.

[Cam99]

Not much difference in different brands of Off- Road midpipes, it will wake up the sound though. Gears would make the most seat of the pants improvement. I would get a handheld tuner if you are thinking of a chip because you can adapt the car as the mods change. SCT or Diablosport make good tuners. CAI, u'd pulleys, throttlebody and intake will all increase horsepower, but it's not going to be a night and day difference.

[no1sirbutler]

i have some underdrive pulleys that will fit your car. they are steeda UD's and are SFI approved. its the complete set of 3(crank, water pump, and alternator). the only thing you will need is a new crank bolt and i suggest the one from jegs b/c its reusable. $80 will make them yours

[Chris00GT]

IMO the best bang for buck would be to keep you factory air box and remove the ail silencer and install a drop in K&N air filter. The cold air kit have been proven to be more for show and not to add any power. Next underdrive pulleys like Steeda are a very good investement. Like posted you can find them used and in good shape. Next a set of gears like 3.73's or 4.10 gears. This will help get the car up and going. Next an off-road H or X pipe will give you about your biggest gain. There are many brands out there and with it being off-road there is not much diffence other than price. For cat-back on a mod motor I like the Dynomax ultra flows or Magniflow with the regular mufflers (magnipack is too loud without cats). Now as far as a tune I would wait. With not having many mods your not really going to gain much. I'd invest that money into a accufab throttle body and plentum. After this I would think about really stepping up and going with a set of cams.

[coralcoupe1993]

5. Spray it.

[coralcoupe1993]

The exhaust wont be much louder than stock. I honestly dont like Magnaflows. I think it sounds like crap. I would try to find a set of used spintech's. They have a unique sound.

Rob you are my freind.....but CRAZY wrong about Mangaflow!

Prochamber and Mangapack cat back. My 00 sounded like a bigblock down low and like a nascar up high.

[Rowleyxlt619]

if your interested in a Mac exahust by any chance... I have one for sale... 2.5 inch tubing with 3 inch tips... looking to get about 200 for it

[Domination]

Factory manifolds should never be referred to as short tubes. They are call no tubes. Even the shorty for motorsport headers are pathetic! If your going to sped a single dime start there with some real long tubes.

[SV1000s]

Prochamber and Mangapack cat back. My 00 sounded like a bigblock down low and like a nascar up high.

X2

[laz2447]

1. Whatever you want! Looks play a part in this for some people. But they all do the same thing. You will get different opinions on cold air intakes from everyone, but the make a dif in sound, and you will get a few horse out of it.

2. What Domination said! You stock manifolds arent great, so if you want to open the exhaust up, long tubes are best for power. Shorty headers are easy to install and will make a sound dif with little or no performance bonus. Get yourself an off road h-pipe and a cat-back of your choice and your car will sound good! Exhaust is a dif of opinion too. I like flowmaster, but alot of people like magnaflow and slp! Listen to sound clips of cars and pick one that has the setup like your looking for, helps out in the decision!

3. Im clueless when it comes to this, so search as much as you can! Ask around alot of people are running custom tunes.

4. Pulleys are good for a couple horses. Find a good deal on a set and slap em on!

[wick]

Rob you are my freind.....but CRAZY wrong about Mangaflow!

Prochamber and Mangapack cat back. My 00 sounded like a bigblock down low and like a nascar up high.

HAHAHA I never heard your car on top.

[redfire vert]

I appreciate all of the advice and input, thank you. Since my car is an auto, will that limit my choices for long tube headers? I thought I read somewhere that it may.

[2001GTTT]

i have a mac offroad h-pipe that would sound pretty sick with rowleyxlt's catback.... pm me if your interested.

[Slow01GT]

I appreciate all of the advice and input, thank you. Since my car is an auto, will that limit my choices for long tube headers? I thought I read somewhere that it may.

You will have fewer choices than the 5spd cars. Mac, Kooks, American racing headers, Stainless works, and SLP all have longtubes that should fit.