- Joined
- Mar 24, 2019
- Thunderbird Year
- 2003
I had my custom muffler shop remove the factory resonators which really improved the sound from the borla 140081 system my next step is in ordering the magna flow 52099 set up stainless and it comes with 2 high flow converters and the 3 rd one that is right before the resonator. So in the end I will have magna flow from the manifold and borla from the car back without the resonator from borla which is brand new still and I will most likely sell it. I am keeping all of the stock parts I am upgrading. Right now I have the air intake system factory and the factory radio plus the full factory exhaust all my parts are from my 2003 premium. Right now I am tackling on project a week until I’m done.Some of these were already mentioned and some not---
Install a hi-flow Catalytic converter.
Advance the timing a few degrees.
Install a high power ignition coil.
Shorten the gap on spark plugs and get good plugs and new wires.
Use Shell or Sunoco hi-test.
Install a K&N air filter.
This is the cheap way, will get about 30 more HP and 2 - 3 % increase in torque.
More expensive...$500-$1,200…exhaust headers and cherry bomb or Walker straight thru mufflers or a Borla exhaust system. Will get you 10 - 12 HP and 1 - 2 % more torque. Plus a nice sound!
Because of the cars computer and its factory settings, changing the timing, might nictitate reprogramming by an expert. The other changes, probably not.
You could consider a performance chip such as SCT Flash Tuner---about $400, which touts a 28 HP gain.
I’m still putting together all of my upgrades I have my appt in like two weeks with the SCT tuner guy with dyno testing. Just wondering I will have done all of the upgrades by the time I take him the car just wondering what to expect the horsepower to the wheels will be. I know ford states 280 but that is 280 rated at the fly wheel not to the ground. I’m hoping that with all the upgrades I would be happy if she put down 280 to 300 to the ground can’t wait to see the numbers. Just wondering if anyone has done these upgrades and had theirs dyno and post the horse power to the ground numbersSome of these were already mentioned and some not---
Install a hi-flow Catalytic converter.
Advance the timing a few degrees.
Install a high power ignition coil.
Shorten the gap on spark plugs and get good plugs and new wires.
Use Shell or Sunoco hi-test.
Install a K&N air filter.
This is the cheap way, will get about 30 more HP and 2 - 3 % increase in torque.
More expensive...$500-$1,200…exhaust headers and cherry bomb or Walker straight thru mufflers or a Borla exhaust system. Will get you 10 - 12 HP and 1 - 2 % more torque. Plus a nice sound!
Because of the cars computer and its factory settings, changing the timing, might nictitate reprogramming by an expert. The other changes, probably not.
You could consider a performance chip such as SCT Flash Tuner---about $400, which touts a 28 HP gain.
Also magnaflow offers the high flow catalytic converters set direct fit for the 11th gen thunderbirds part number is 52099 this is all stainless and you get the three cats the two main cats that come right off the manifold and then down to the third one this is the one you might be able to talk your installer out of putting in lol for a little bit more sound but not much. So I’m in the end I will have cat forward magna flow I will have magnaflow cats straight piped all the way to the resonators had those cut out and then straight piped to the rear to the borla mufflers. It really sounds good and and virtually no restrictions in air flow. So the extra sir the k&N cold air typhoon intake to the rear borla mufflers. This is just a suggestion if you want to add a skittle more sound and keep that great borla tone just a little louder
Last edited by a moderator: