I'm a Newbie again, lol!

Slamming45

Member
Car
1965 mustang
So my name is Joe and I'm from Illinois. New to IS, been in and out of 4 cars in the last couple of years, Just sold my 2002 SLP SS and Purchased a 2003 FX45 with 50k. Needed a vehicle for year round use, and was tired of driving only a thousand miles a year just to have a nice car to look at in the winter. Not many mods for the 45's but I've never been able to leave any car of mine stock :rolleyes:. Had quite a problem finding just a CAI but I bought the B&B from Globalautoshop. Looking at the invidia exhaust for my next purchase, but maybe the flowmaster 80 w/resonator delete is the way to go, any advice? The plentium spacer is also on my list of to do's, Thanks!
 
Welcome to iS!

Plenum spacer is specifically for the 3.5. The VK45 doesn't have that upgrade as an option. The Invidia is the way to go. It increases power with a little bottom end torque loss, it's much better than a flowmaster 80 weld on muffler as it is a full mandrel bent catback. We're lucky enough to have Gordon on iS who is an Invidia salesman straight from Invidia USA.

Everyone on here runs the JWT intake. Or if they were lucky enough to get one when they were available the LMS CAI. Never heard of the B&B Performance one. Is it from Billy Boat Exhaust or some other outfit with a similar name?
 
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FX45 - power performance mods - Exhaust, Intake, E-fan upgrade, shift kit (not so much power but its a kick...) Cams (not cheap at 4-5K WITH install but 30+WHP), finish it off with an UPREV tune and you will be looking at 280-300WHP of completely reliable power. Additional gains will come from weight reductions and possibly smaller diameter Wheels/ tires. I definitely feel the difference in gearing with mine.

Easiest and cheapest grouping - Intake, exhaust and UPREV. Out with install (less if you DIY) for under $1,800 and you will feel the difference, probably 20 WHP?
 
Welcome to IS, fellow Chicagoan! We have very similar situations. It's funny, I had a 2002 SLP SS too, but mine was stolen. I've gone through just about four cars in the past few years until getting into my FX35. Best decision I have ever made, I just wish I paid the money for one years ago when I was lusting after the FX instead of putting it off! The best all around vehicle one can get. Enjoy the Scene, there is a ton of info and modding options you will soon read about. :wink (2):
 
Great info! I Really like the invidia kit because of it being true duals. Read some people had fitment issues with the nismo and stilllen. No plenium for the 45 huh, that sucks. I'm famillar with the UPREV tune but where can I get it done around Illinois, and how much does it cost? Saw the unichip programer for 839 on sale, which is the better bang for the buck? Sorry another newbie question, what's an E-fan and who makes the shift kit, can I DIY? Thanks

---------- Post added at 04:31 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:15 PM ----------

Thanks for da wecome! B&B performance line? Dunno, something I strolled across at a site called gobalautoshop. The pop charger is nice, but I didn't know if that Z-tube would work or if it was only for the 35. I also wanted to improve the flow and get rid of those dingleballz resonators on the upper intake. This one is a solid tube of aluminum with two heat shields, I know, some people think plastic keeps the temp down better. But It looked better than the retrofit Ebay kit and was a few bucks more, 170 shipped. It will b here in a few weeks, so I guess I'm the guinipig, haha. Oh and AREObfa I live just north of u by 59 and Butterfield, maybe I'll c ya around.
 
Welcome!

The plenum spacer for the 35 was to correct a design flaw that was restricting air to the two front cylinders. The 45 didn't have this issue so not having a plenum spacer option is actually a good thing. =)

I wouldn't rule out a Nismo or Stillen exhaust based just on the fitment issue. The Nismo was never made for the FX application so it simply needs to be extended in two spots. By the y/mid pipe and the tips to clear the rear bumper. I am not sure exactly what the Stillen needs to fit, if any. Both are nice options to consider.

The Invidia had a minor issue with the 06-08 45's because of a change in the cats but you shouldn't have to worry with your 2003.

The e-fan (electric fan) mod replaces the belt driven fan to an electric one thereby freeing up load on the engine. A number of people here have done it with no known issues thus far.
 
flowmaster might be a weld on muffler but I love mines with the y pipe and midpipe to me it sounds better, I know its mix match set but there are others on here who mix match there exhaust pieces for that sound that eliminates the drone. welcome to the Is and there are a few 45 drivers on here. there are a couple of options like nismo, hks and others. Not many upgrades to the VK but if you want to spend some cash there are options mentioned in earlier post.
 
flowmaster might be a weld on muffler but I love mines with the y pipe and midpipe to me it sounds better, I know its mix match set but there are others on here who mix match there exhaust pieces for that sound that eliminates the drone.


It's not that. Nothing is wrong with the flowmaster. To get the best performance a true dual setup using mandrel bent SS piping and the flowmaster will cost a lot more than just the Invidia.

Yes the flowmaster might sound better, but I was looking more for performance than sound. The cost/benefit for power of a bolt on true dual like Invidia (which is cheaper than Stillen) was just a better bang for the buck than a custom one off mandrel bent SS catback.
 
If I had to do it again I might try the Nismo. The Invidia Gemini will give you direct bolt-on ease of application but the Nismo (from what I understand, never been in or around a VK with one) carries more of the original OEM tuned note and possibly less drone than the Invidia, which is what I have......
 
GRD, Really? that's where I had my STI dyno tuned, that's awesome they are right up the street! Didn't know they did infiniti's, sweet! Who makes the E-Fan mod, or what do I need to buy, totally want that.
 
Efan - ///8859

It has been bullet proof thus far.

RE: the UPREV tune you are probably aware of this but again you want to complete all your mods before you take it in so the tune can capture and maximize the gains from whatever you decide to upgrade.
 
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Don't rule out HKS exhaust -- I feel like I'm the only FX45 owner here that has one (I'm sure more do though).
 
Not meaning to get off topic but what is that beeping sound at the end ? My 09fx did that a few months back and stayed on while I was driving for about 20 minutes on/off. It was the weirdest thing. My door actually locked and unlocked a few times also without me even touching the button. Hasn't done it since but I was pretty freaked out. Maybe some glitch in the key or computer ??
 
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