2001 MUSTANG WITH 4.6L ENGINE - OPINIONS

[Giffo]

Keep away you. Plenty of interest in the Titanic. Had an offer, but usual low life who wants to pay by those dodgy banks etc. Hopefully soon. have my heart set on it. 

[Giffo]

I've had mine since new - has done a LOT of KM's as it's my daily driver. I had the drivetrain swapped out (by ICE's Performance in Melbourne - stunning effort John!) with the one in my avatar a while back - this is the one that has the cooling issue on the left hand cylinder bank, the head gets hot after switching them off and the valve guide has a habit of dropping, causing a 'tick' at idle. I had the cooling mod done to mine (easy peasy) and I haven't had that issue - but the original Aluminium V8's didn't have that trouble, and I gave my one a beating for 10 years and it was still very quiet and didn't use any oil.

So, in the 175,000 kms I had the original drive train, NOTHING went wrong other than the clutch cable. I have had about 5 of them (repaired again and again and again) as I have a spare, although this one has lasted a couple of years, and I think I was to blame for the original failures and it was a snowballing thing. Up until last year I had replaced one brake light bulb and one rego plate bulb, really reliable. Parts are REALLY cheap if you buy them from the US, avoid being robbed blind when buying from a local dealer. The one upgrade I would recommend would be to splash out on is a replacement key-fob remote control. The original ones have very limited range and you have to be on top of the car for it to work, these operate from 20-30 meters away and work EVERY time. Well worth it, and very easy to re-program (let me know if you get them and I'll give you the instructions).

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Ford-2003-2004-2005-2006-Mustang-REMOTE-KEY-FOB-CASE-V110-SOZ-/151505427882?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item23466d5daa

The leather bolsters on the seats wear quite a lot, and they are hyper-expensive to replace in Australia, but can be obtained VERY cheaply in the US (they are the passenger seat there of course) and all you need is an upholsterer and you're back in perfect business.

Great car - get after-market 18/19 inch wheels, lower it a tad and WHEY HEY - cool car!!

As you know I purchased Rob Taylors 2001 SVT. I have bought a replacement key remote for $18 in Sydney. RE-programmed for 2 mins of my time. Great stuff.
New front headlights from the USA. $125 all up. Mine were broken inside. Could not workout why one light was in the air!!

Was wondering if you or any others have installed CAI (cold air intake) on the 4.6 DOHC SVT? If so what type and cost was best? Did you get a flash tune to match?
On my other cars of the past (V8's) I installed and had far better response and power?
Yours and other thoughts appreciated!

[Giffo]

Were the new headlights to suit RHD market, as in dip the right way?

To be quite honest its hard to tell the difference. I have just been outside to adjust as per NRMA instructions. They line up quite well and when driving are okay. Time will tell. Heaps brighter than the ones in it. As one was broken inside.
I'm happy!

Now to see what is wrong with the drive train. Big either diff slack, or unis or drive shaft worn. Some oil leaks on the driveway halfway. Time to go the brother in laws and put her up on the hoist for a look.

[jiffy]

Don't stress - they all clunk like a bastard from new when you go from off throttle to on. It's the much lauded 'Cobra Clunk'

Just learn to modulate the application of the accelerator and you'll be fine.

[Giffo]

Don't stress - they all clunk like a bastard from new when you go from off throttle to on. It's the much lauded 'Cobra Clunk'

Just learn to modulate the application of the accelerator and you'll be fine.

  Thanks. That's funny. Will check the leaks anyway.

[stormin]

If you are not going to race it why bother spending the money on the cold air intake. It doesn't take much to spin the wheels as they are.
Mine has heaps of power and have to be careful not to give it too much on takeoff otherwise you know who will have something to say. The Cobra clunk seems to be common to all of the cars ,not just yours.
Stormin

[Giffo]

Yeah you are right there. Wont be racing but CAI improve economy and make it breath better. Not wanting to spin the wheels. That would be naughty! 
My 'CLUNK' is more than I have heard in any vehicle. Will get it checked out anyway.

[stormin]

They are quite economical anyway and would take quite a while to recover the cost of the intake, Most MPG I've ever had from a V8 and I've had lots.
Stormin

[Giffo]

Yeah can understand it on some vehicles. What mileage do you get? I have had many v8s over my life too, but in the city mileage was crap. What is the life span of the spark plugs and what type do you use?
What oil you running in the diff and gearbox (manual)?

 

[stormin]

MPG depends on how heavy your right foot is. I consistently get at least 25mpg on the freeway and a couple less running around the coast
Mines only done 76000Ks so the plugs won't want changing for at least another 25000ks. Not sure about the trans oil but will check next time I put it on my hoist. My Seducer's T5 takes auto trans oil so will probably be something similar
Stormin

[Giffo]

How can I tell what manual box I have? The internet states a Tremec 3650 manual for my year.

Lots to find out about my Stang. 

[jiffy]

I think that's right - why would you think its any different?

[Giffo]

I think that's right - why would you think its any different?

Sorry, what is different? Is this for me?

[jiffy]

"How can I tell what manual box I have" - sounds like you're not sure what is in your car. Original fitment was the TR3650 which should still be in your car still, unless you think it's been changed?

[Giffo]

"How can I tell what manual box I have" - sounds like you're not sure what is in your car. Original fitment was the TR3650 which should still be in your car still, unless you think it's been changed?

Sorry Jiff, that's what I was asking. TR3650 okay thanks. from what I read there were different combinations. Sorry all. Just trying to learn about the car. Trying to get a hardcopy manual to study.
Thanks again Jiff.

 

[Giffo]

Well, parts are available in Oz, although a lot of stuff has now gone UA as they only bought in limited spares. As a car, it shouldn't need much in the way of work, just maintenance. The motors are very similar in architecture to the Boss 260/290/302/315 so Ford will know what they do and why, but mostly anything you need is cheaper and more readily available in the US.
For instance, my radiator grew a hole last year, and as it's a bigger rad (2003) due to the motor swap - they don't stock them here. A local repair/recore was quoted at $900 here (highway robbery) and a brand new (aftermarket) replacement was $175 from a catalogue outfit in the US and postage was $125 - so $300 and it was here in 4 days...

Jeff, would I need a bigger radiator??

Don't let the parts availability dissuade you, they're rock-solid reliable.

[jiffy]

Wouldn't think so - the radiator on 2003/4 is good for cooling up to 650hp, so a more modest tune won't generate heat outside the remit of the existing one. Likely to only be an issue if you're sitting in traffic after a hard run and the electric fan is struggling due to some issue - not likely to be a concern.

[Giffo]

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