Hi guys still haven't gotten the 98 mustang cobra from my dad's friend so yeah I am getting a little ahead of myself. But when I get it I plan on doing just bolt-on mods plus exterior and new tires. But performance wise I'm looking at BBK Underdrive pulleys here: http://www.performancecenter.com/product.page/Engine/Pulleys/0/0/0/BBK1555/FORD/1998/Mustang/Vehicle+Specific/4.6L/Complete+Pulley+Kits[/align]is the hp/torque advertised correct? Also looking at JLT Performance Ram Air Intake (limited budget) says normal gains are 10-15 rwhp is that correct also? Just asking because I've seen false advertisement from aftermarket companies.[/align]

There are many bolt-ons that you can get for the Cobra and they all advertise increased horsepower; but they are way overrated. If you were promised the rated horsepower with each bolt on, you'd be almost supercharged! The greatest gains you can make from bolt-ons would be CAI, higher gears, lighter driveshaft and aluminum flywheel. Sure the rest of your bolt ons will add power, but very minimal.

If I get intake I would just want to get SRI because of my limited budget. And get pulleys not only for power for looks under the hood as well. What would you say is the best bang for the buck performance upgrade ($300 saved aside). Is a flowmaster cat-back for this car just for sound or does it add power as well?

Cat back adds some power because they're more free-flowing; reduces back pressure so you can get some gains from that. If you have $300 saved, you should get the cat-back next. Just my opinion.

Oh really just wondering because I have a mazda6 and added a cat-back on that doesn't add power because there is no restriction there. I wasn't sure if there was restriction on this car. Hmm just something to think about because I don't have the car yet. Any other suggestions or just go straight to the exhaust?

This is my 5th mustang (2nd Cobra) and the stock mufflers are more restrictive than aftermarket cat backs. I've had cat backs on every Mustang and not only they all sounded better, they made a few extra horsepower. Don't forget though that freeing up the restrictive flow such as an entire exhaust system will also positively affect other mods you add in the future. Either a catback or a CAI would be your best bet. And I've heard good things about JLT CAIs.

headers and full exhaust make a noticeable difference as well. but that doesnt mean to go to some shop and get flowmaster mufflers, and expect a real gain. I would recommend a full bassani exhaust, and some longtube headers.

ORIGINAL: mfj

headers and full exhaust make a noticeable difference as well. but that doesnt mean to go to some shop and get flowmaster mufflers, and expect a real gain. I would recommend a full bassani exhaust, and some longtube headers.


It's what I wanted (full length headers) but the install labor was too much =)

Oh ok well remember I'm on a tight budget and have about $300 on the side for modifications. I'm focused now on selling my mazda6 first just thinking about what to do onceI get it. If I get a flowmaster I'll probably end up getting my local mechanic to do it for me for cheap. But I'm thinking just go for intake and pulleys. Just curious, does anyone have flowmaster exhaust w/o anything else? How does it sound?

back a long time ago, my cobra was stock with just flowmaster muffflers. they werent even loud because i still had 4 cats on my stock midpipe. i honestly believe that flowmasters may be the worst aftermarket mufflers that they make for our cars. it just makes the car sound burbly, if u can imagine that.

If you're just looking for an array of bolt-on mods, you've got the right idea so far. But I'd go w/ the Steeda Underdrive's. They don't have the piggy-back style crank pulley and they also have the timing markers on the new crank pulley which is really nice for adjusting the timing and what not. The JLT Intake is a good intake as well, I'm looking into one for my 01 Cobra as well, just waiting for the bank account to say yes to that one...

well if u have any future plans of supercharging the car, then the underdrive pulleys are just a waste of money because u cant use it with a supercharger.

ORIGINAL: mfj

well if u have any future plans of supercharging the car, then the underdrive pulleys are just a waste of money because u cant use it with a supercharger.


Good call on that!

If your on a limited budget here is what you want, in the order you want to get them:

- Cat-back (get a FULL cat-back, not just crappy Flowmaster mufflers welded into your stock piping. I have Bassani, LOVE IT, but its one of the more expensive ones you can get. Check out Magnaflow, always liked their setups. SLP Loudmouth is reasonably prices, and as you would guess LOUD. exhaust will give you a few ponies, but will not make a monster of a car. The #1 reason to do this first, IMHO, is to make a Mustang SOUND like a Mustang.

- Intake - JLT makes argueably the best performing intake for our cars. www.jlttruecoldair.com (http://www.jlttruecoldair.com)

- Gears: this will probably be the biggest mod you can do or your car, especially early on, short of going FI. If you plan on staying N/A, or know it will be a long time before you do FI, look for at least 4.10's.

- Mid-pipe. - Cat or Catless X or H pipe. Does wonders for our cars.



Headers - sound AWESOME. expesive though.... $/horsepower gain isnt so good. save them for some point down the road, unless your just itching for the sound of longtubes.

Underdrive Pullies - I dont reall think they'rereally that big of a deal on our cars. Its not like on an import when you free up 6HP you just netted yourself an additional 10% of what your putting to the wheels.

a handheld tuner is probably your best bet before most other mods (such as 4.10's for example). Go to a local mustang/performance shop and see if they prefer diablo or SCT tuners more, as they will work with that tuner to make alterations to your car (if u ever dyno it). It will also be beneficial if you ever throw a code or have engine problems.

Keep in mind if you decide to supercharge in the future, the UDP will be useless and need to be changed as mfj said. You say bolt-ons now...but we all know how that goes:D

ORIGINAL: ponysnake99

a handheld tuner is probably your best bet before most other mods (such as 4.10's for example).

IDK. Tuning is great and helps out a lot but it's honestly your best bet to get all of your bolt-on peices installed and then take it in for dyno tuning. That's the only way you know your A/F Ratio is correct and know your car is running it's best. Those mail order tunes are junk because you tell the company what mods you have and then they throw together a tune depending on the mods and hope that everything works out. I've used them and I know. I mailed the damn tuner back 3 times to get a correct tune from the company but we couldn't get the car running right. So I tookthe carto Alternative Auto (www.alternativeauto.com (http://www.alternativeauto.com)) and got a dyno tune done and the car ran the best it's ever ran. I mean do what you feel is best for you but I'd highly recommend the dyno tune.

ORIGINAL: xx9gt6xx

If you're just looking for an array of bolt-on mods, you've got the right idea so far. But I'd go w/ the Steeda Underdrive's. They don't have the piggy-back style crank pulley and they also have the timing markers on the new crank pulley which is really nice for adjusting the timing and what not. The JLT Intake is a good intake as well, I'm looking into one for my 01 Cobra as well, just waiting for the bank account to say yes to that one...


As he said DO NOT get the BBK underdrive pulleys. Go for the Steeda pulleys if you are set on the pulley mod. Piggy back ud pulleys only leadtoan engine rebuild.

I would do a catback andmidpipe as my first mods because they adda little power and give the car a great sound.

ORIGINAL: Lavitz

As he said DO NOT get the BBK underdrive pulleys. Go for the Steeda pulleys if you are set on the pulley mod. Piggy back ud pulleys only leadtoan engine rebuild.

I would do a catback andmidpipe as my first mods because they adda little power and give the car a great sound.


Thanks for the backup. Yeah exhaust is a must first. That was the first thing I did as well. If you have the $ the Bassani setup on the 32v cars is a great choice in sound and performance, although the Kooks LT's / O-R X & Borla XR1's setup is amazing. I love my Bassani, but if I could trade for that set up I'd do it in a heartbeat!

Wow guys thanks for all the responses. Well I don't plan on doing too much performance wise but we'll see, the mod bug kinda got me on the mazda6 so I can't imagine a mustang cobra lol. I'll be keeping it N/A with bolt-ons if anything. Once I officially get the car, I'll be on here a lot more often. In fact I have 2 people interested in the mazda now so hopefully one of them will work out

Just curious what is wrong with BBK? Is it just because you get what you pay for or just not good? They're aluminum which will look nice under the hood. I know now I'm getting intake for sure sometime down the road when I get it.

I kind of remember reading something about people having problems with them. The BBK's arenot balanced correctly, or dont have a harmonic balancer on them, or some such thing. Anyway, I think they led to massive engine problems for a few people. Im sure someone else will chime in with specifics.

Oh really well I certainly don't want for that to happen. BBK is cheaper and is aluminum which seemed perfect but I guess not then. I still have a long way to go anyway, after getting synthetic fluids and a couple exterior stuff I'll be added intake and then somethin else.

Alright well I have been doin some reading on this site. BBK Pulleys seem like they would be alright on my car if I'm only keeping light mods done to my car. I'm not going to past intake and exhaust but if I get get another bolt-on that adds some power (and looks) then why not? So would it be okay on my cobra to get these pulleys if I'm doing anything serious(not doing anything with sound system either).