2026 on order. What first mods should I make?

[Riptide]

If you have active exhaust I’d do the Steeda H pipe and call it a day. It sounds way better than the X and makes a few HP more on the S650.

I’ll have to look into it some more then. Seems highly recommended

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[A.alansari]

•Steeda stop the hop starter
•Steeda vertical link (make sure to buy the right one for your car if you have the brembo 6 piston front and 4 back you will need the shorter one)
•Steeda H or X pipe
•Steeda progressive springs
•Steeda extended ball joint
•Remove carbon traps on the CAI
•Kooks headers

 

[NegativeMultiplier]

I haven't modified mine (I'm mostly happy with it stock) but from what I've seen, get Steeda's Stop The Hop kit as well as some other tasteful suspension mods. When I launch I can feel the wheels hopping when TC is on - that looks like it'll not only solve the problem, but also increase grip when launching while TC is off.

 

[Alan Applegate]

I can't speak for anyone here, but I'd leave it be for a while until you know how the Mustang feels to you. I find the stock versions to be fairly capable just like Ford builds them.

 

[kaiser_sosai]

You're probably going to want to plug those gaping holes in the front fender liner.
https://www.mustang7g.com/forums/threads/holes-in-front-fenderliner.168917/

 

[MustangMitch69]

I can't speak for anyone here, but I'd leave it be for a while until you know how the Mustang feels to you. I find the stock versions to be fairly capable just like Ford builds them.

Agreed, I was surprised how good it comes from the factory. Ford is doing a lot with the base Mustang now that used to only be available with aftermarket mods. Even the engineers at Shelby commented that Ford is making their job more difficult.

I think the active exhaust sounds great, but then again I have a convertible so I hear it a lot more with the top down. Track mode exhaust with the top down sounds incredible. Having said that, the two aftermarket exhaust options most others are opting for to make it sound better without making it too loud are either Steeda H-pipe or Borla S-type (axle back if you have the active exhaust), or both.

Whatever you do with the air intake, you're probably not going to notice a performance difference no matter what you do or spend. Personally, I replaced the paper air filters with washable filters, but more so I could just wash them when needed instead of paying for replacements.

I wasn't satisfied with the stock throttle response (too laggy) so I got the Soler Performance throttle controller for about $200 and that fixed it. Much cheaper and less reliability concerns than with a tune or a supercharger, both of which I was considering before I found out about the throttle controller.

The first mods I got were not performance related: tint, PPF, RTR wheels and the Air Design front splitter (since I didnt have the performance pack but with it neither would have been needed), radar detector (hardwired and with a blendmount), and a stubby antenna since the stock one for the convertible was so high that planes were having to fly around it.

 

[Riptide]

Agreed, I was surprised how good it comes from the factory. Ford is doing a lot with the base Mustang now that used to only be available with aftermarket mods. Even the engineers at Shelby commented that Ford is making their job more difficult.

I think the active exhaust sounds great, but then again I have a convertible so I hear it a lot more with the top down. Track mode exhaust with the top down sounds incredible. Having said that, the two aftermarket exhaust options most others are opting for to make it sound better without making it too loud are either Steeda H-pipe or Borla S-type (axle back if you have the active exhaust), or both.

Whatever you do with the air intake, you're probably not going to notice a performance difference no matter what you do or spend. Personally, I replaced the paper air filters with washable filters, but more so I could just wash them when needed instead of paying for replacements.

I wasn't satisfied with the stock throttle response (too laggy) so I got the Soler Performance throttle controller for about $200 and that fixed it. Much cheaper and less reliability concerns than with a tune or a supercharger, both of which I was considering before I found out about the throttle controller.

The first mods I got were not performance related: tint, PPF, RTR wheels and the Air Design front splitter (since I didnt have the performance pack but with it neither would have been needed), radar detector (hardwired and with a blendmount), and a stubby antenna since the stock one for the convertible was so high that planes were having to fly around it.

Appreciate the input. I don’t really know much of anything about radar detectors but I should probably look into them lol. I also planned on doing a dash cam. I’ve always gone down to the smaller antennas on my cars as well as I don’t even use the radio so the range doesn’t matter to me

 

[Riptide]

You're probably going to want to plug those gaping holes in the front fender liner.
https://www.mustang7g.com/forums/threads/holes-in-front-fenderliner.168917/

I’ll see if it’s still prevalent on the 26. From what I’ve been seeing about that the later 25 production cars seem to have had it fixed on delivery

 

[Alan Applegate]

Mike Valentine passed away a few months ago, but his company still makes some of the best radar detectors. I've never owned one or really felt I needed too. Yet, I've never had a speeding ticket.

 

[armyGT]

Honestly, drive the car for a while. After 1000 miles make a decision. Unless you have very deep pockets full of cash, you are wasting money with upgrades you won't use 24/7. You will not increase the value of your car buy doing add-ons. When you trade it in or sell it, the next person is buying a 2026 Mustang. Many people shy away from a modified car. In most cases it was modified to beat on!
If you want a race car, buy a cheap FOX Body and add some power.
After all the mods a base C-8 Corvette will still blow your doors off!

 

[Skye]

Not mods, but accessories almost any Owner could use:

- Jacking Rails
- Oil Catch Can, Passenger
- Faraday Pouches, Two
- Detailing Supplies
- Battery Tender
- Fender Covers

 

[Alan Applegate]

Battery tender? Really! Are you spending $50K+ to have it sit for days when you could be using it? Geez! It is only car, not priceless artifact!

 

[LouG]

Drive it, a lot. Get to know the beast, then improve what you don't like.

 

[rijndael]

Battery tender? Really! Are you spending $50K+ to have it sit for days when you could be using it? Geez! It is only car, not priceless artifact!

I use a tender. Some of us live in places where we get more than 2 seasons. These cars have no business being out in the snow.

 

[Frogdog1]

Valentine radar detector to back someone else up on that. In a Mustang, especially a red one, you WILL be singled out. I was yesterday and have been today. I punch it where they can't shoot me with radar and lidar, which, really is most places if you think a little.

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