Upgrades for a 2006 V6 Mustang

"WindsorFox<SS>" > wrote in message
...
> Bob Willard wrote:
>> Ed White wrote:
>>
>>> My son's car is a 2006 Mustang V6 Coupe. He wants to upgrade the
>>> exhaust and headlights. Being an old stick in the mud I have been
>>> opposing the changes. Assuming I relent,, I'd like to hear
>>> recommendation for a better exhaust system and headlights. He
>>> wants duals and HID headlights. What should he look out for?
>>>
>>> Ed
>>>
>>
>> Real HID is expensive; IIRC, >1000$US. Fake HID is just
>> blue-tinted
>> bulbs, which produce less light than stock bulbs.
>
> You are incorrect on the nature and cost of true xenon lights.
> HID xenon refit kits can be bought for less than $100 now, about $30
> or so more for bi-xenon required to replace dual filament bulbs.

Do they have the problem with light scattering I see mentioned? The
last thing I want is for my Son to ride around ****ing off the rest of
the world because he has super bright but poorly focused headlights.

Ed

Gill wrote:

>> This is what I thought as well. However, my son showed me several kits
>> that use different bulbs and a ballast. The bulbs are not just the
>> blue tinted bulbs. They fit into the OE headlight housing and you
>> mount the ballast nearby. Some kits include relays, some don't. I am
>> worried they are a rip off (cost around $150 to $200). There is a very
>> expensive Saleen Kit ($800) that also includes new housings, but I
>> can't see that being worth the money.
>>
>> Ed
> I don't know how true this is, but from what I've read these kits are
> mostly illegal because they are not mounted in a projector. The light is
> not focused to a beam but scatters outward blinding oncoming drivers.
>
> I just read this little "how to" > http://tinyurl.com/2lvoje
>
> It's a fox, so doing it for a late model would be different, but it
> gives an idea of what it takes to graft on a projection system.
>

Any and all changes other than actual OEM or OEM identical parts are
by the letter illegal even if they are DOT registered, because as soon
as you make any change from original the DOT reg is no longer effective.
So even that fabrication is illegal. my personal experience is that the
cars with HID projectors are more blinding as oncoming traffic than a
conversion is. There are also cars out there that apparently have OEM
xenon lights that have no projector lens. Now I have to suppose that not
all housings are created equal, the ones on my Nissan work very well
with the xenon lights. A housing that has a smooth reflector and a
faceted lens will definitely cause a problem with throwing glare in the
wrong places. I've had an objective safety inspector look at mine and
give me his opinion. After looking from inside and out, I think he
bought a set for his F150. The pictures on that website referenced on
the forum look like they are retrofitting a xenon HID lamp into a
projector housing meant for a halogen bulb. Now I can see how that would
cause a lot of problems since HID projectors have a blocker built in to
cut off the light on a sharp line just under oncoming drivers eyes. You
also have to make sure your lights are properly aimed as well.


--


"I wonder how much deeper the ocean would be without sponges?" -- TazAMD

C. E. White wrote:
>
> "WindsorFox<SS>" > wrote in message
> ...
>> Bob Willard wrote:
>>> Ed White wrote:
>>>
>>>> My son's car is a 2006 Mustang V6 Coupe. He wants to upgrade the
>>>> exhaust and headlights. Being an old stick in the mud I have been
>>>> opposing the changes. Assuming I relent,, I'd like to hear
>>>> recommendation for a better exhaust system and headlights. He wants
>>>> duals and HID headlights. What should he look out for?
>>>>
>>>> Ed
>>>>
>>>
>>> Real HID is expensive; IIRC, >1000$US. Fake HID is just blue-tinted
>>> bulbs, which produce less light than stock bulbs.
>>
>> You are incorrect on the nature and cost of true xenon lights. HID
>> xenon refit kits can be bought for less than $100 now, about $30 or so
>> more for bi-xenon required to replace dual filament bulbs.
>
> Do they have the problem with light scattering I see mentioned? The last
> thing I want is for my Son to ride around ****ing off the rest of the
> world because he has super bright but poorly focused headlights.
>
> Ed

I think the biggest problems arise when you put a xenon kit into a
projection housing that is made for a halogen bulb. IMHO the projection
lamps make less surrounding glare, but blind you more when head on. Any
glare around my lights may obscure my vehicle, but is not going to
affect oncoming drivers like they say. I've never had a complaint and
I've even asked people point blank about it. The complaints I get result
from being Civic drivers heading towards a fullsize truck with a rocker
panel sitting at eye level. Of course Joe will want to know if it will
void the warranty and tell you that looking at my pictures there is no
visible difference.

Oh I tried to send you a link in email but got that reply from EL.
Normally I refuse verification because it's a bad solution, but I
clicked the link, then it wanted names and emails and all kinds of
stuff. I wasn't about to fill all that stuff out so you may not get it.

--


"I wonder how much deeper the ocean would be without sponges?" -- TazAMD

"John S." > wrote in message
...
> On Mar 20, 2:58 am, "Jane Jian" > wrote:
>> "Ed White" > wrote in message
>>
>> ...
>>
>> > My son's car is a 2006 Mustang V6 Coupe. He wants to upgrade the
>> > exhaust
>> > and headlights. Being an old stick in the mud I have been opposing the
>> > changes. Assuming I relent,, I'd like to hear recommendation for a
>> > better
>> > exhaust system and headlights. He wants duals and HID headlights. What
>> > should he look out for?
>>
>> > Ed
>>
>> louder exhaust are cop magnets - does not improve power, and sport/turbo
>> mufflers can have a constant drone all the time when driving the car.
>>
>> .
>
> sorry but you are completely wrong about the performance... the S197
> V6 muffler is incredibly restrictive! You can get a 10RWHP simply by
> swapping the stock muffler out for a better one, including a cheap GT
> take off muffler! This has been proven time and time again on the
> dyno....
>
> That being said, going to duals doesn't give you much performance...
> may 2 or 3 RWHP... duals are more about look and sound.... no
> performance...

You are not burning more fuel per unit time, so how could it gain HP ?

10 hp is hardly noticeable, and it is really about 2 to 3 HP gain, which you
could not accurately measure.

I would stick my money on good summer performance tires, they make a huge
difference.

Beware the sales pitch for a lot of the add on products, way over hyped.

On Mar 20, 3:08 pm, "Rulf" > wrote:
> "John S." > wrote in message
>
> ...
>
>
>
> > On Mar 20, 2:58 am, "Jane Jian" > wrote:
> >> "Ed White" > wrote in message
>
> ...
>
> >> > My son's car is a 2006 Mustang V6 Coupe. He wants to upgrade the
> >> > exhaust
> >> > and headlights. Being an old stick in the mud I have been opposing the
> >> > changes. Assuming I relent,, I'd like to hear recommendation for a
> >> > better
> >> > exhaust system and headlights. He wants duals and HID headlights. What
> >> > should he look out for?
>
> >> > Ed
>
> >> louder exhaust are cop magnets - does not improve power, and sport/turbo
> >> mufflers can have a constant drone all the time when driving the car.
>
> >> .
>
> > sorry but you are completely wrong about the performance... the S197
> > V6 muffler is incredibly restrictive! You can get a 10RWHP simply by
> > swapping the stock muffler out for a better one, including a cheap GT
> > take off muffler! This has been proven time and time again on the
> > dyno....
>
> > That being said, going to duals doesn't give you much performance...
> > may 2 or 3 RWHP... duals are more about look and sound.... no
> > performance...
>
> You are not burning more fuel per unit time, so how could it gain HP ?

???? Ummm.. You are removing a very restrictive muffler, which lets
motor exhale easier... motor doesn't work as hard to exhale means more
HP...

> 10 hp is hardly noticeable, and it is really about 2 to 3 HP gain, which you
> could not accurately measure.

I didn't say 10HP... I said 10RWHP! And that is NOTICEABLE...
especially since you can get it that gain for $40 with a GT take-off
muffler... Multiple people at multiple shops have shown this gain on
a dyno...


>
> I would stick my money on good summer performance tires, they make a huge
> difference.
>

???? Tires don't make that big of a difference... not on an S197 V6
until you address other suspension issues... like the extra mushy
stock springs and shocks... and lack of a rear sway bar in non-pony
package V6's...

> Beware the sales pitch for a lot of the add on products, way over hyped.

That is very true... most over hyped product i've found so far is some
of the CAI and the crank UD Pulley...

Check out my website for some pics, dyno sheets, vids, reviews,
etc.... www.v6john.com

WindsorFox<SS> wrote:
> C. E. White wrote:
>>
>> "WindsorFox<SS>" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> Bob Willard wrote:
>>>> Ed White wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> My son's car is a 2006 Mustang V6 Coupe. He wants to upgrade the
>>>>> exhaust and headlights. Being an old stick in the mud I have
>>>>> been opposing the changes. Assuming I relent,, I'd like to hear
>>>>> recommendation for a better exhaust system and headlights. He
>>>>> wants duals and HID headlights. What should he look out for?
>>>>>
>>>>> Ed
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Real HID is expensive; IIRC, >1000$US. Fake HID is just
>>>> blue-tinted bulbs, which produce less light than stock bulbs.
>>>
>>> You are incorrect on the nature and cost of true xenon lights.
>>> HID xenon refit kits can be bought for less than $100 now, about
>>> $30 or so more for bi-xenon required to replace dual filament
>>> bulbs.
>>
>> Do they have the problem with light scattering I see mentioned?
>> The last thing I want is for my Son to ride around ****ing off the
>> rest of the world because he has super bright but poorly focused
>> headlights. Ed
>
> I think the biggest problems arise when you put a xenon kit into
> a projection housing that is made for a halogen bulb. IMHO the
> projection lamps make less surrounding glare, but blind you more
> when head on. Any glare around my lights may obscure my vehicle,
> but is not going to affect oncoming drivers like they say. I've
> never had a complaint and I've even asked people point blank about
> it. The complaints I get result from being Civic drivers heading
> towards a fullsize truck with a rocker panel sitting at eye level.
> Of course Joe will want to know if it will void the warranty and
> tell you that looking at my pictures there is no visible difference.
>
> Oh I tried to send you a link in email but got that reply from EL.
> Normally I refuse verification because it's a bad solution, but I
> clicked the link, then it wanted names and emails and all kinds of
> stuff. I wasn't about to fill all that stuff out so you may not get
> it.

All consideration-for-oncoming-drvers aside, what good are the
conversions? If they actually have some value, how often does it come
into play?

--
Frank ess

John S. wrote:
> On Mar 20, 3:08 pm, "Rulf" > wrote:
>> "John S." > wrote in message
>>
>> ...
>>
>>
>>
>>> On Mar 20, 2:58 am, "Jane Jian" > wrote:
>>>> "Ed White" > wrote in message
>>
>>>> ...
>>
>>>>> My son's car is a 2006 Mustang V6 Coupe. He wants to upgrade the
>>>>> exhaust
>>>>> and headlights. Being an old stick in the mud I have been
>>>>> opposing the changes. Assuming I relent,, I'd like to hear
>>>>> recommendation for a better
>>>>> exhaust system and headlights. He wants duals and HID
>>>>> headlights. What should he look out for?
>>
>>>>> Ed
>>
>>>> louder exhaust are cop magnets - does not improve power, and
>>>> sport/turbo mufflers can have a constant drone all the time when
>>>> driving the car.
>>
>>>> .
>>
>>> sorry but you are completely wrong about the performance... the
>>> S197 V6 muffler is incredibly restrictive! You can get a 10RWHP
>>> simply by swapping the stock muffler out for a better one,
>>> including a cheap GT take off muffler! This has been proven time
>>> and time again on the dyno....
>>
>>> That being said, going to duals doesn't give you much
>>> performance... may 2 or 3 RWHP... duals are more about look and
>>> sound.... no performance...
>>
>> You are not burning more fuel per unit time, so how could it gain
>> HP ?
>
> ???? Ummm.. You are removing a very restrictive muffler, which lets
> motor exhale easier... motor doesn't work as hard to exhale means
> more HP...
>
>> 10 hp is hardly noticeable, and it is really about 2 to 3 HP gain,
>> which you could not accurately measure.
>
> I didn't say 10HP... I said 10RWHP! And that is NOTICEABLE...
> especially since you can get it that gain for $40 with a GT take-off
> muffler... Multiple people at multiple shops have shown this gain
> on a dyno...
>
>
>>
>> I would stick my money on good summer performance tires, they make
>> a huge difference.
>>
>
> ???? Tires don't make that big of a difference... not on an S197 V6
> until you address other suspension issues... like the extra mushy
> stock springs and shocks... and lack of a rear sway bar in non-pony
> package V6's...
>
>> Beware the sales pitch for a lot of the add on products, way over
>> hyped.
>
> That is very true... most over hyped product i've found so far is
> some of the CAI and the crank UD Pulley...
>
> Check out my website for some pics, dyno sheets, vids, reviews,
> etc.... www.v6john.com

I support John's contention with regard to improved performance with a
less restrictive muffler. I found a Ford Racing Performance Products
M-5230-GTA muffler on eBay for 65 dollars delivered. It bolted in as
replacement with no problems, and was one of several transformative
changes in the V6. It's a bit louder than a standard GT take-off
muffler, pleasant at cruise, authoritative at wide-open throttle. I
sensed more powerful performance, and it gave a new dimension to the
driving experience. The V6 is quite peppy on its own, so unless you're
going to compete in some kind of racing, there's no real need to boost
power.

A second inexpensive addition/replacement is the GT take-off sway
bars. I drove my V6 convertible stock foe a few weeks, then added the
GT rear bar: BIG difference, but still an understeerer. Then
swapped-in the GT front bar: another big difference, and plenty good
for nearle everyone's purposes. the Pony Kit bars are good, but
smaller diameter.

There's my recommendation for actual, useful improvements for cheap:
GT take-off muffler, GT take-off sway bars. It's the way Ford should
have put them in to start with.

Plenty of other "mods" available, but those two should result in a
very satisfactory car. In addition to John's suggestion the
Collective, you might search
http://www.allfordmustangs.com/forums/
and
http://www.mustangforums.com/
and
http://forums.stangnet.com/ for discussions of the questions you've
brought up. They've all been thoroughly "done" over the S197's
lifetime. There are dozens more Mustang forums, too.

One more note: among the high-volume take-off sellers, you'll likely
encounter one in particular who have good feedback ratings and plenty
of satisfied customers. I'm not one of them; you can see my experience
he
http://www.flickr.com/photos/fyougit...7603826441123/

--
Frank ess

Frank ess wrote:
>> Oh I tried to send you a link in email but got that reply from EL.
>> Normally I refuse verification because it's a bad solution, but I
>> clicked the link, then it wanted names and emails and all kinds of
>> stuff. I wasn't about to fill all that stuff out so you may not get
>> it.
>
> All consideration-for-oncoming-drvers aside, what good are the
> conversions? If they actually have some value, how often does it come
> into play?
>

Well hell, why bother upgrading to halogen? the old standard
incandescent sealed beams worked just fine.

--


"I wonder how much deeper the ocean would be without sponges?" -- TazAMD

WindsorFox<SS> wrote:
> Frank ess wrote:
>>> Oh I tried to send you a link in email but got that reply from
>>> EL. Normally I refuse verification because it's a bad solution,
>>> but I clicked the link, then it wanted names and emails and all
>>> kinds of stuff. I wasn't about to fill all that stuff out so you
>>> may not get it.
>>
>> All consideration-for-oncoming-drvers aside, what good are the
>> conversions? If they actually have some value, how often does it
>> come into play?
>>
>
> Well hell, why bother upgrading to halogen? the old standard
> incandescent sealed beams worked just fine.

Good "answer".

Ed White wrote:
> My son's car is a 2006 Mustang V6 Coupe. He wants to upgrade the exhaust and
> headlights. Being an old stick in the mud I have been opposing the changes.
> Assuming I relent,, I'd like to hear recommendation for a better exhaust
> system and headlights. He wants duals and HID headlights. What should he
> look out for?
>
> Ed
>
>
I just stuck some BF Goodrich G-Force T/A KDW NTs on my 2006 GT Coupe.
IMHO, that was a HUGE improvement over the normal G-Force T/A KDWS that
were on the car prior to these. Handling and off the line acceleration
has been improved drastically. The only downside is I probably will
suffer from wear issues faster due to the softer compound, but it is
worth it to get a better tire.