(Please bare with me, I know this is a long post but I want to thoroughly explain my situation)
Hi, I'm new here and instead of going into a long introduction (which I realize is for another forum on here) I'll get straight to the point. I have a silver 06' GT (sorry no pix yet, but I'm sure you can picture it) and I want to do something to it to make it unique. I see way too many other Stangs out there that look exactly like mine and it bugs me. So I am thinking of three different options: 1. Saleen body kit (basically to "Saleenize" the car, hood, window panels, spoiler, badges, etc. everything except interior) 2. Cervinis body kit 3. not do anything at all to avoid spending thousands of dollars, and perhaps wait for a new model Stang
I've seen many other bodykits, but the Saleen and Cervinis are my favorites. My main concern with the Cervinis is the ground clearance since I do not want to run into something i.e. a curb when parking etc. My concern with the Saleen is that others may think of my car as a wannabe car, not actually being a Saleen; although I would also get the wheels, brakes, suspension, but not the supercharger (for now at least). I have seen a Saleen S281 in person and I really like it, probably a bit more than the Cervinis; I have only seen pictures of the Cervinis. Sometimes I think that the Cervinis looks like a bit too much or extreme, and sometimes I just don't feel right about the scoops especially the windows, blocks vision?.
Also I am one of those people who can't just have the car look good, it is has to perform as well too. Which ever kit I decide to get (if I get one) I will upgrade suspension and eventually supercharge the car once the warranty has expired. I also want to upgrade the brakes if I get 20" wheels, which leads me to my next question......Would stock GT Stang wheels look alright on any of these kits, what exactly are the benefits of 20" wheels besides the looks, and wouldn't they increase the turning radius? I ask this because, the wheels are the most questionable upgrade (in my book) as Saleen wheels cost approx $1700 (found knock off's for approx. $800 on mr.bodykit.com but I don't know about those) and Cervinis cost $2500 (any other suggestions for wheels that go with the Cervinis kit that cost less?) Then I would have to spend about another $1200 for tires, if I want good ones and I do; and then I would have to upgrade the brakes which is about another $2000. So I figure about another $5000 just to have 20" wheels....is it worth it?
My ultimate concern for both of the bodykits, is what would it do to the resale value of my car would it increase, decrease, or stay the same? I only have about 8500 miles on it now. I would end up spending about $11000 in upgrades (bodykit, suspension, wheels, brakes, and installation costs), and I admit that even if I traded in my car for $23000 (according kbb rating) and put the 11grand towards another car, I still would not even be able to buy a Saleen S281 3valve. But is it worth spending that much on this car? If so, which kit should I go with? Should I get 20" wheels, should I upgrade the brakes if I do? Should I upgrade the suspension? As you can tell I am a confused mess and I have been rambling for too long. So thank you to anyone who reads this whole thread and thanks to anyone who gives the input, suggestions, and advice that I so desparately need!
Here's a pic of my C300 that has Konig wheels. My first C300 was the original tungsten with the Cervini wheel/tire kit. The 20" kit made the car handle funny without additional mods, so, I went 19" this time with no problems. The rear is lowered but not the front for obvious reasons.....yes it is a pain with speed bumps etc. Here in OK, the Cervinis have been ruling the car shows while the Saleens are just doing so-so. Resale? I sold my first C300 for 42k........resale on this kit rocks......:)
You're asking a lot about opinions, so let me first say these are MY OPINIONS.
I have seen a few Saleens drivign around and I am impressed with the look of the car. I would certainly be happy with one but if I was going for PERFECT, it's not for me. They do look a lot better in person than in pictures, and the Cervini kit I have only seen in pictures, so I assume it looks a lot better in person too.
Over all, I think I like the Cervini's kit better, just because it looks tougher than the Saleen. I'm not fond of the squarish scoops on the back windows. I think Blow-By Racing did a better job on their window scoops. The door scoops are nice, but again Blow-By's look better in my opinion. The only problem is that the Blow-By door scoops don't line up with the door line, so if I get them, i am going to cut them so they line up with the door like the Cervini's scoops do.
For the wheels, you're going to get a lot of haters if you stay stock and a lot of haters if you go with 20's. The answer is to do what YOU think looks best. I will say that I bought my wheels on Ebay (20" Foose Nitrous in silver) for $1000 brand new. Another auction sold them for $800 new. You can find cheaper wheels if you look for them. Also, I haven't gotten them delivered yet but I got tires from discounttiredirect.com for $795 delivered. They are Falken, and may not be as nice as some of the more expensive tires, but they look great and plenty of guys are running them with no complaints as far as I can tell.
My rims are 8.5" front, and 10" rear, 20" diameter (actual measurement of the rim showing is about 21.5) Tires are 245/40/20 front and 275/35/20 rear (same sizes as what's on the Foose Stallion Mustang) Turning radius is not affected by the wheel diameter, but CAN be by wheel WIDTH (because wide wheels can't be turned as far)....but from what I have read, 8.5" wide have no clearance problems at all.
Personally I would not go with any wheels smaller than 18" on those kits. For me, I chose the 20s because I want the most aggressive look possible. I will also be piecing together different body kits in order to get the look I want.
< Message edited by suoperdave84 -- 1/16/2007 2:42:16 PM >
I plan on peicing my new 07 GT together with different kits. So far, I have ordered the shaker hood system, Classic front chin spoiler, Steeda-Razzi side window scoop, Cervini lower side scoop, and a steeda polished billet GT gas cap. I'm still looking into the Cervini side exaust system with rear bumper skirt and possibly a Steeda street rear fin. I've only had the car three days now, I think it'ts going to get expensive!
Thanks for all the responses. Those Stangs look sweet okbfd! gconnsr, I love to see some pics of your car when you get it all done. I think if I am going to put a bodykit on my car it will probably be the Cervinis kit, I think it's a bit more unique than the Saleen kit; although I do think the Saleen kit looks very good. However, I also want to put on some 20's b/c I think that the stock 17's just won't look right. But like I said before, I think wheels are going to be the most expensive part. This is because if I got new wheels I would also want to get good tires, and I need all seasons, and a new bigger brake kit. I want to get Michelin Pilot Sport A/S's, I have had them before and they are really great tires, they go for about $350 a piece on Tire Rack.com (275/35/20 all around). For brakes I want to get Baer Extreme's ($2000-$2300) for the front and Baer Eradispeed's 14" ($650) upgrades for the rear.
I have been trying to find some cheaper wheels other than the ones that Cervinis offers. I know raceline makes some that look similar, but they don't display prices. I have been looking at customwheel.com for other cheaper wheels that will still look good. Here are the links to the other wheels that I am thinking of, I would appreciate it if anyone would give me their opinions on which of these wheels would look best on a Stang with the Cervinis kit. I want to get 20x8.5's. The ones the * are my favorites. None of the wheels exceed $300.
Other mods that I am thinking of right now include a K&N aircharger and a Saleen suspension kit for about $720 from Haneymotorsport.com. I'd love to hear any other suggestions. Thanks in advance.
If I am spending that kind of money I would want the car to be mine, not some kit made by Saleen or Cervini's(especially Cervinis, only bad experiences w/ them).
JMO, but maybe you don't want to put the time and effort into making it your own meaning that the C-series body kit or whatever is your style.
Check out the camara to the left below the name...I have the Cervinis body kit with the rear lowered and I live in Michigan a state know for terrible roads and very high curbs. I have had no problems so far with clearence but to service the car is scary...I mean to trust someone to not screw up the work on the paint and body mods is nerve wracking. I think the body kit was worth it and have taken it to a couple of local shows for the very reason that it is not seen very often it attracts people like flys to shi#. I feel like a celebrity...no joke..I have had viper, corvette, and porshe owners on the Woodward Dream Cruise almost get into accidents checking out the car from across the median. I think Cervinis is great and fitment was not an issue for me. I agree with okbfd about the resale on these cars with the kits. At one time on Ebay they were selling for 42-50 thousand. The quarter window scoops are no problem as far as blindspots go.....just use the huge sideviews and the rearview. The car does have special considerations but I think the look and pride I take in my car far outweighs any cons with having the kit. Go ahead make it your own regardless of the kit you use or dont use! JMO
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2006 Mustang GT with Cervinis Kit Whipple H.O S/C 465 RWHP and 440RWTQ
I like the Eagle chrome and the Neeper N-5 in chrome! The ghost Blingz wheels that Cervinis sells are discontinued! I love that rim (which is what I have) so I am sure there are some still out there and many can get them for 1400 w/o tread for the rims which I think is fair! The look in person is better than the pics! Raceline is more expensive than the Blingz and doesn't have the tri-bar's which I love. Email me for more pics of the car and the install and the rims
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2006 Mustang GT with Cervinis Kit Whipple H.O S/C 465 RWHP and 440RWTQ
Check out the camara to the left below the name...I have the Cervinis body kit with the rear lowered and I live in Michigan a state know for terrible roads and very high curbs. I have had no problems so far with clearence but to service the car is scary...I mean to trust someone to not screw up the work on the paint and body mods is nerve wracking. I think the body kit was worth it and have taken it to a couple of local shows for the very reason that it is not seen very often it attracts people like flys to shi#. I feel like a celebrity...no joke..I have had viper, corvette, and porshe owners on the Woodward Dream Cruise almost get into accidents checking out the car from across the median. I think Cervinis is great and fitment was not an issue for me. I agree with okbfd about the resale on these cars with the kits. At one time on Ebay they were selling for 42-50 thousand. The quarter window scoops are no problem as far as blindspots go.....just use the huge sideviews and the rearview. The car does have special considerations but I think the look and pride I take in my car far outweighs any cons with having the kit. Go ahead make it your own regardless of the kit you use or dont use! JMO
+1 on the Cervini's I have never had any issues, I get looks everywhere when I drive it. Fittment and quality of all of the Cervini's kits I have delt with has always been top notch.
The scoops really do not block your vision since we have outrageously huge side mirrors and a nice rear view mirror.
As far as what you should do I am afraid that is up to you. If you are going to be upgrading the power and suspension you might as well pgrade the brakes too but for everyday and even some enthusiast stuff you would be fine with the GT500 upgrade. A few of us (like me) have gone higher above or extreme with brakes.
You do need to realize that with ANY kit you need a dealership that know what they are doing, the guy at my local for dealer has been working on lowered cars and trucks for over 15 years so he knows how to get my car on and off the lift without ever scrapping or rubbing anything, this is not the case at alot of places thought.
I am using coilovers instead of lowering springs because I do not want to lower the car too much but I want a bit more control over the handeling (I have H&Rs kit).
And before someone wants to bring it up, some have complained about seeing their wonderful Cervini's scoops go flying off on the road, well guess what if they are not installed properly then they will, but so will Xenon, Blow By Racing, Ronaele, and just about any other. You do not just clean the area and slap it on there is a pre-adhesive that you use first. I have had my car over 135mph and put over 10k mi on it since I had the kit installed and everything is still there holding tight.
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Sponsors-n-Contributors Gary Best Kustumz | ZEX | Stillen | Team SCP | Cavallo Customizing
Okay, so I am pretty much sold on the Cervinis kit. I have been asking questions about suspension upgrades and I have been told to get Tokico shocks, these won't lower the car too much, will they? Also what size tires should I get with the 20x8.5 wheels, I have read another thread and I remember someone saying that they had to switch tire sizes because the car didn't feel right, by the way I am not looking for a really low profile tire, I still want some thickness to them.
Okay, so I am pretty much sold on the Cervinis kit. I have been asking questions about suspension upgrades and I have been told to get Tokico shocks, these won't lower the car too much, will they? Also what size tires should I get with the 20x8.5 wheels, I have read another thread and I remember someone saying that they had to switch tire sizes because the car didn't feel right, by the way I am not looking for a really low profile tire, I still want some thickness to them.
I am not sure what you can expect from those alone, I personally use coilovers. hey have an adjustable ride height so you can choose how low you want the car. Now they do not make cheep coilovers for the mustangs like you find for civics, the ones for our cars are built with one purpose in mind and that is to hold the car to the track. There are two companies that I know make great systems for our cars H&R (what I have) and Eibach.
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Sponsors-n-Contributors Gary Best Kustumz | ZEX | Stillen | Team SCP | Cavallo Customizing
The shocks won't lower the car they only are adj for the ride stiffness. If you want to lower the car the springs will decide that as far as I know of. Saleen, Roush, and Steeda offer springs that lower the car minimally (about 1" all around). I am lowered in the rear to lessen the rake from front to back and even out the front end with the rear. Also a little less wheel well showing in the rear. I am not doing the front springs and plan on going with Tokico D-specs shocks as well all the way around in the near future. After the drop in the rear it equalled out to about 1.25 inches total in the rear and evened out the car nicely. I do not like the ass end of the car so high and that is the only reason for the rear springs other than better hook up at the dragway but that is only a small part of the rear suspension mods in the future and the mods as a whole in the end will keep her straight off the line with little to no wheel hop. JMO
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ORIGINAL: BartSimpson
Okay, so I am pretty much sold on the Cervinis kit. I have been asking questions about suspension upgrades and I have been told to get Tokico shocks, these won't lower the car too much, will they? Also what size tires should I get with the 20x8.5 wheels, I have read another thread and I remember someone saying that they had to switch tire sizes because the car didn't feel right, by the way I am not looking for a really low profile tire, I still want some thickness to them.
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2006 Mustang GT with Cervinis Kit Whipple H.O S/C 465 RWHP and 440RWTQ
As much as I Love my Cervinis kit and Cervinis in general I might recommend you just buy a used Saleen S281...Seems like 1 your not Completely decided on whether you really want Cervinis or not and 2 If you go to just buy a completed kit(everything you want except supercharger) I think you will save time and money....(And no my answer doesnt have to do with the fact I dont want more C-Series on the road lol)
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06 GT(Manual) Red Leather, Shaker 500 Cervinis C-Series kit Cervinis Ram Air Hood Granatelli Strut Brace, JLT 2 CAI w/Brenspeed 93 Tune
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Saleen style vs. Cervini style, what to do..... - 
