Mustang GT 2002

[francoiscqc]

This probably sould have been answerd a thousand times but I.m new to that sort of thing so...
I have a mustang GT 2002 with only 2 modifications: K&N cold air intake and Borla cat-back exhausts.
Do I need a custom tune or I just plug the U7146 in and do not need to download or upgrade anything?
Thanks in advance.

[LARRY2716]

I have 02 GT with K&N FIPI, Accufab plenum & throttle body also. I just installed Borla cat-back last weekend, not the Stinger model though. The fit was excellent & happy with the Borla. I had no troubles with the Predator. The main problem would be with adding another intake as many have a tendency to lean out the fuel ratio at Wide Open Throttle. I never heard any pinging or problem, but I don't have a Wide Band air ratio monitor installed either. If you had a wide band installed and was a little lean at WOT there would be enough adjustment with the Predator that a custom tune would not be need for these mild modifications.
Be sure to it's all Premium 94 octane fuel in your tank, ie fill it up with 94, run it out, fill up again, then install the Predator Tune.
Also be sure car battery is charged, doors are closed, and everything else is off, & I put on my seat belt to keep that from chiming too.
What do you think of the K&N ? I put a metal rod into the PCV fitting, heated the area up a little with a torch & bent the fitting towards the rear of the car a little so the hose would clear the Oil Fill Cap a little better. At least you can see the filter, the factory filter was a pain to check.
I removed Predator tune for now, as I am expecting to get a notice for emmision testing soon

[francoiscqc]

Thanks for your response Larry.

Concerning the K&N, I must be honest with you, I did’nt see much of a difference. But there’s a good reasons for that : First my car is stored from november 1st until the 1st of may (I live in Quebec!). I installed the K&N CAI during the winter months, so, when I first tried the car in the spring, i twas 6 months since I’ve driven it… So I could’nt really see a big difference even though I’m pretty sure that there was one. I really like the fact that it is very easy to always keep the air filter very clean though.

On the subject of the Borla cat-backs, I’m very happy to finally be able to « talk » with somebody who has installed the « regular » (14834?) cat-backs as everyone I talked to seem to have chosen the agressive model (140067).

I plan to install the cat-backs during this winter and I’m still hesitating between the two models. I want to improve the performance and the sound but I don’t want the sound to be too loud either.

What can you tell me about that? Is there a noticable difference, in soud and in performance, between the stock mufflers and the Borla regular cat-backs?

Your comments will be much appreciated!



Concerning the diablosport predator and the comment you made about using octane 94 gas, I think that that could be a problem here in Quebec as I don’t know if there is octane 94 gas available here! I just checked this out at my regular gas station this morning and the higher grade available there is 91!

Do you think that would make a very big difference or problem?



Thanks again

[LARRY2716]

The K&N fit well, the filter is easy to check, makes a little more noise, without a dyno who knows about HP. It should make it a little more responsive. I initally ordered the 14067 Borla but cancelled it . I didn't want it to over take the radio at 70 on the highway, or get a ticket for the noise ! The Borla 14834 is nice, a little more rumble at idle, louder upon starting, good sound when your foots in it, but quiet enough at cruising to lenjoy the radio ( Sirius for me ). HP is probably about the same between models as both mufflers are straight thru types. The 14834 just has a larger case & more stainless wool surrounding the preferated pipe that passes thru the muffler, there are no baffles in either. I love my 14834 so far & think it was the right choice for me. I don't drive it alot as it only has 23,000 , but I did not want it loud enough for a ticket. The 140067, SLP Loudmouths, & MagnaPacks are not street legal as far a sound goes, only legal for emissions. I had a the rear of the car on ramps to install the Borla and still had to jack the side I was working on as far as the jack would go. Otherwise, you will not get the new pipes over the rear axle. Just a large jack would probably work, but I already had it on the ramps. The fit was perfect, though in & out of the rubber mounts takes some muscle & patience !
94 octane is the norm around here, 92 is the minimum for the Predator tune & 94 is recommended ! Tech support will have to help you on the octane problem, such as retarding the timing or they can email you a tune. 94 octane will have the best performance !

[francoiscqc]

Thanks again Larry,
I think you've just convinced me to go with the 14834. My wife and I love to go on vacation with the conv a few times during summer and we don't want to get a headache for driving a few hours with the car. I want to imrove the sound, for sure, and I think the 14834 will do just that very well as well as adding a little more on the performance side.
As for the 91 octane, I just read in the U7146 manual that if I see that, with the custom tune, detonation (pinging) occurs, I'll have to adjust the spark advance to 10% (or more) to eliminate it and then it should work fine with the 91 octane gas.
I also wanted to do the job myself in my home garage but maybe it'll be worth paying a few extra bucks to rent a lift at my friend's garage for a n hour or two!
Thanks again for the tips!

By the way, did you buy your predator at a local store or did you buy it by internet? Here in Canada the Predator will cost me more that 550$ and from what I've seen It's quite easy to buy one brand new on the internet for about 299$

[LARRY2716]

I needed to jack the rear up the full 16" of my jack & it took some manevering to get in over the axle. Other than that it was a breeze, just rotate for proper clearance & tighted it up. I think you will love the sound, unless you want to be abnoxious. A put in many hours or research and decided the stingers would have too much drone. When crusing you can hear the exaust but not have to talk over it. It sounds meaner than stock under a load. Performance Center lists the 14834 @ 14 HP/ 18 ft lbs Torque and the Stingers 140067 @ 10 HP/ 14 ft lbs Torque. The Stingers do appear to be the most popular, as are the SLP Loudmouths, due mostly to a younger market. I am a Machinist of 48 yrs old & wanted it to sound good, but not like a nut or one of those weedwacker Honda coffee can mufflers !
I bought the Predator new from Autoaccessorys.com for about $315 US with a discount a month or so ago. Be Careful buying one from an auction as it will be worthless if original tune not installed by owner to Reset the tuner.

Have a good one !

[LARRY2716]

Mistake , I bought the Predator at Autoanything.com, they are great !

[francoiscqc]

Thanks again Larry, you've been very very helpfull to me!

Last question... As I did'nt found the answer yet from what I'v read: When you make the original backup and then install the Diablo tune, I guess the ignition (key) sould be at "on" without the motor running? Am I right?

[LARRY2716]

It's easy, Key will need to be cycled several times. Just follow instructions on the Predator, takes a few minutes ! Fan runs on mine & odometer reads all 0000000's kind of scary but I have done a couple of times. Just be sure battery is up, doors closed and everything else is off.

No problem !
Later