04 Mach 1

Yea just bought a yellow 04 Mach 1 and want to start modifing it. Owned a 99 gt and of course did all the usuall bolt ons to it, gears chip and all of that. but i love the Mach 1 engine and i want to keep it naturally aspirated but i want to get the most power out of it also. Already have High flow X-pipe and flowmaster 40 series mufflers and cat back set up. plan on getting the C&L MAF complete system but dont know where to go from there. thought about changing to a different cam but not too sure. If anyone has any ideas let me know. lookin do get as much power as $3000 will get me.  

After the C&L system, you could go with a computer tune or even the Anderson PMS, long tube headers and if you're up to it, a cam swap.  I know Comp Cams has some awesome cams and as long as the rest of the engine can take advantage of it them, make up to 50 horse power more.  Total, you could have around 350-375 hp and hit the 12's easy if it's a stick but then you'd have to get more traction.  Go with a set of 4:10 gears and adjustable rear shocks and you'll be happy.   

Thanks man appreciate the help. with the computer tune are you talking about somethig like the Diablosports tuner i can buy or a shop doing the tune and Yea im pretty sure about going with a cam ive been reading about the Comp cams, i just have to figure out how big of a change i wanna go with. But with the headers the head man at Sheehy performance in MD said that headers actually didnt help the car breath at all with the modular 4.6 and according to him they were not worth the little power gain to do it but i figured they were too so im gonna go with them. My car is a 5 speed so would i really need 4.10's or would 3.73 gears be fine? Im also goin with Pirelli P-zero nero tires i love them. But 350 at the wheel is actually about what im lookin for thanks for the help.  

Well, the long tubes do add some power, you just have to decide, and it sounds like you did, whether they're worth it.  If you want the best breathing possible, go with them.  Keep the primaries to 1 5/8 and a 2 1/2 pipe.  A Diablo, Hypertech, or any of the others would work great and you'd need it if you swap gears to recalibrate the speedo.  If you do a lot of highway driving, 3:73's would do.  If you want the max benefit of the 4 cammer, the 4:10's would be the best and gas mileage won't suffer too bad.   

I own a 04 mach and have read alot on the engine and everyone said dont buy the cams! not worth it!!  

The biggest restriction on the flow of the engine is the intake manifold. A spacer plate and or honing
is a great place to start, especially if you plan to do cams latter. Cams can be worth it, I have Aviator intake cams re-timed and gained enough torque to take
.3 off my 60 foot times.  

i have an 03 mach, and have been speaking to many shops, gtr high performance, galpin autosports, and headers for a nearly stock mustang provide minimum gains for a lot of dough (about 5 hp) They are not a major restriction yet. use that 1000+ dollars on some pulleys, other components on the intake side, then a tune should do you right.  Make sure to speak to many shops.  Don't forget a good set of tires will really help your times.  I run nittos on mine