Top Mustang Mods Guide

Last Updated July 21, 2021 | C.J. Tragakis

The Mustang has served as America’s pony car for over half a century. No matter which model year you have, it can be fixed up, upgraded, and customized with quality aftermarket parts. Although there’s nothing wrong with leaving it in stock form, we think adding your own touch is what makes being an enthusiast so much fun.

Because every Mustang is so different, we've broken up the top Mustang mods by generation. Check out our best guides to learn about different upgrades and get started on your next project.

First-Gen Mods

Fox Body Mods

SN95 Mods

S197 Mods

S550 Mods

Classic Mustang (1964.5-1973)

Classic Mustang owners know firsthand what an undertaking (and joy) it can be to work on one of these vintage models. Getting your Mustang’s body into good shape is going to be a natural part of any car project. Go for a period-correct restoration, or add some restomod parts for custom style, more power, and modern-day conveniences.

Apart from the body, working on the engine is one of the primary focuses for first-gen Mustang owners. You can keep one of the original engines under the hood, or do a crate swap for a more modern motor.

The aging suspension is another area to upgrade with modern components. If you’re trying to keep the style and parts as original as possible, take a look at our first-gen Mustang data plate decoder. By entering your car’s information, you can take a look at what you’ll need for your project. This will help you determine things like your original paint color, trim, engine, and rear axle ratio.

First-Gen Mustang Guides

Reupholstering Mustang Seats

Fixing up the interior of your Mustang is an important part of the restoration process. Though reupholstering your Mustang's seats takes a lot of patience, it's an installation that's worth the effort. These are the steps to follow as well as some of our best tips and tricks for getting a perfect install.

Classic Mustang V8 Swaps

Turning a six-cylinder classic Mustang into a V8 is a popular conversion. If you've got a great classic Mustang but just wish it had two more cylinders here are all of the necessary components and steps. Whether you want a period correct conversion or a more modern solution, we've evaluated some of the most popular engine choices.

First-Generation Mustang Wheels and Tires

There are many decisions to make when you’re replacing your first generation Mustang’s tires and wheels. Whether you’re interested in what tires your Mustang would have come with, or what tires will fit on your original wheels, this guide includes all of the information about the first generation Mustang’s tires and wheels.

Classic Mustang Engine Paint Guide

From casual passersby to extremely critical show judges, having a vintage Mustang that has a properly painted engine is sure to impress. Whether you’re restoring a motor from the ground up or just want to apply a fresh coat of paint, check out this guide to find the ideal color for every component.

Fox Body (1979-1993)

With a flexible platform, the affordable Fox Body is great for daily driving, autocross, or drag racing.

Its older components can easily be upgraded and modified. Consider adding coilovers, shocks, struts, sway bars, and even subframe connectors. All will help tighten up your Fox and give it much sportier handling.

For power, a cold air intake combined with an exhaust system will help your engine breathe better. Swapping in a set of disc brakes will give you more confidence in your stopping power, plus improved cornering.

Due to the age of the Fox Body, interior upgrades are probably also on your list. You can replace your worn-out seats with aftermarket sports seats. They’re more comfortable and will hold you in place better through turns. It’s also easy to replace things like the headliner and center console, which naturally tend to wear over time.

Check out our best Fox Body mods for inspiration on getting yours modernized with new performance and style. If you’re set on using it as a drift car, take a look at our Fox Body drift build guide.

Fox Body Mustang Guides

Fox Body 5-Lug Conversion

The Fox Body Mustang carried 4-lug wheels which were very common for compact cars in that era. Unfortunately, most aftermarket wheel options are offered only in 5-lug patterns. This CJ's guide shows you how to upgrade from a 4 lug pattern to a 5 lug pattern, opening the door for many more aftermarket wheel options.

Fox Body Coyote Swap Guide

Swapping a Coyote engine into a Fox Body Mustang is a great way to get 420 horsepower in a car that weighs less than 3,000 pounds. Putting a new engine in a car involves swapping out a few more pieces than just the engine though. From the transmission to the exhaust, these are some of our recommendations for what you should look at to have a successful Coyote Swap. Put a little Coyote in your Fox and get the ride of your life.

Best Fox Body K Members

Your Fox Body Mustang’s K-member holds your front suspension together. When it’s time to upgrade it, thinking carefully about your build can help steer you in the right direction. These are some of the best K-members for engine swaps, drift builds, and more.

Fox Body Restoration Guide

From the first stages of research and preparation to applying those final finishing touches, our Fox Body Mustang restoration guide walks you through the restoration process. Though you’ll have a lot of choices to make, it’s tough to go wrong with a Fox Body as long as you plan out your restoration in advance.

SN95 and New Edge (1994-2004)

The 1994-2004 Mustang brought a good amount of power to the table with its various engines and versatile platform. Depending on the mods you add, you can use the SN95 as a drift car, drag car, autocrosser, or just a fun daily driver. However, to keep up with modern vehicles, you’ll need to make some changes under the hood.

1994-1998 SN95 Mods

The launch of the SN95 generation meant a change in how the car was styled, but the performance levels didn’t go leaps and bounds beyond the Fox Body.

We recommend a cold air intake, tune, and cat-back exhaust as bolt-on upgrades. Though the suspension was improved from the Fox Body, the SN95 can still benefit from coilovers, sway bars, and subframe connectors. A short-throw shifter and new steering wheel will help round out the interior.

Check out our 1994-1998 SN95 mod guide for upgrades for this model range.

New Edge Mods

In 1999, the SN95 was refreshed with Ford’s “New Edge” styling. Things were also tweaked under the hood for a bit more power, even though the engines remained the same. From unleashing more power to refreshing the interior, there’s a lot that can be done to revitalize these cars.

Take a look at the best mods for the New Edge Mustang to upgrade your performance and aesthetics.

SN95/New Edge Mustang Guides

SN95 Horsepower Guide

Discover the horsepower and torque figures for each model year and variant of the SN95 Ford Mustang. If you’re ready for even more power, check out our recommendations for ways to take those numbers to the next level.

SN95 Drift Build Guide

SN95 Mustangs are good candidates for drift builds. If you’re interested in modifying your 1994-2004 Mustang for drifting, these are some of the modifications that will help you. Whether you’re just getting started and want to try out drifting or are getting serious about this motorsport, there are upgrades you can do to improve your Mustang’s performance.

New Edge Mustang Coyote Swap

New Edge Mustangs are some of the best candidates for Coyote swaps. Not only is it one of the easier engine swaps, but it’s also one of the most rewarding, with major horsepower gains. This guide helps you get started on your next swap project.

SN95 Mustang Wheel Guide

Adding new wheels to your 1994-2004 Mustang will make a big difference in terms of style. Check out this guide for an overview of some of the best rims for your ride.

S197 (2005-2014)

The affordability of the S197 makes it a great contender for a variety of different mods. If you want to enhance your 2005-2014 Mustang, check out our guide on getting S550 power out of your S197. When it comes to style, giving your S197 a set of aftermarket wheels will make the biggest impact. Pair them with performance tires and lowering springs for improved handling.

Under the hood, a cold air intake and tune will open up a lot more power. This is especially true when you add a cat-back exhaust to the mix. If you’re looking for a big project that will completely transform your car, a supercharger is the way to go. It will increase your power immensely to help you perform on the dragstrip or track.

2005-2010 Mustang Mods

Although the Coyote V8 made a big splash when it launched in the refreshed 2011 S197, the motors used from 2005-2010 shouldn’t be overlooked. They’re powerful and reliable, with plenty of untapped power that can be unleashed with a few aftermarket mods.

Take a look at our 2005-2010 Mustang mod guide for some ideas on improving your pony. Pair your engine upgrades with a new exhaust kit for a Mustang that sounds as good as it looks, and goes as fast as it sounds. This is one area where the 2005-2010 3-valve V8 shines, as many owners think it has a nicer old-school sound than the Coyote.

2011-2014 Mustang Mods

The debut of the Coyote motor was an exciting change, and the platform has proven to be reliable and endlessly moddable. Cold air intakes, tunes, and cat-back exhausts are very popular choices for both the 5.0 and V6.

To start building your late S197 wishlist, check out our 2011-2014 Mustang mod guide. With the right power upgrades and a few suspension components, these cars can be brought up to the level of the newest Mustangs.

S197 Mustang Guides

2011-2014 Mustang GT Exhaust Guide

2011 was a monumental year for Ford, Ford Racing, and the S197 platform. This year, in particular, introduced an all-new 5.0L “Coyote” V8 with twin-independent variable camshaft timing pumping out a nasty 412 horsepower and 390 lb/ft of torque, which was then bumped to 420 for 2013-2014 GTs. Compared to the 2010’s outgoing 320 horsepower, this was quite a jump in power for nearly the same price. After picking up your new pony, the next step is always a good sounding exhaust system!

2005-2010 Mustang Exhaust Guide

There’s a wide range of different aftermarket exhaust options for owners of the 2005-2010 Ford Mustang. Whether you’ve got the GT or V6, check out our guide to help you find the best options for your car.

S197 Wheel Buying Guide

For enthusiasts looking to customize the look of their S197 Mustang, a new set of wheels makes one of the biggest impacts. Plus, upgrading to a larger size allows you to fit tires that are more performance-focused.

Mustang V6 Mods

For years, the V6 Mustang served as an affordable, efficient, entry-level sports car. Although the V6 eventually met its end in 2017, there are still ways to make your V6 Mustang almost as powerful as a V8.

S550 (2015-Present)

Style comes down to personal preference. But when it comes to performance potential, nothing can top the S550. The modern design of the S550 means it has the most power waiting to be unleashed. Take a look at our top performance mods for the Coyote engine. Some owners even enjoy trying to get their GT to perform more like a GT350. With the right mods, you can get pretty close.

In addition to the engine, exhaust kits and style upgrades are some of the most popular options for 2015+ Mustangs. Even though the car sounds pretty good from the factory, most enthusiasts are happy to add more volume and better tone by installing a performance exhaust kit.

There are also thousands of ways to customize the style of the S550. From front chin spoilers to rear valances and wings, the exterior can be made to look even more sporty and sleek. For the easiest way to make a big style change, look into getting a set of aftermarket wheels.

If you’re not sure where to start, browse our top S550 Mustang mods for some inspiration.

S550 Mustang Guides

S550 Style Guide

Mustang owners that are looking to stand out from the crowd have a wide range of aftermarket options. Learn about the different visual upgrades that you can make to change your S550’s appearance.

Best S550 Coilovers

Coilovers are a popular suspension upgrade for Mustangs due to their customization and handling benefits, but given how many options are available, it can be hard to choose. These are the features and benefits to be on the lookout for to make sure that you select the best coilovers for your S550 Mustang build.

S550 Cold Air Intake Guide

If you’re in the process of shopping for a cold air intake for your Mustang GT, then don’t fret! CJ Pony Parts has a wide selection of offerings for your 5.0L-powered Mustang. With brands like JLT, Airaid, Roush and others, you won’t go wrong with one of these intakes for your ride. So, be sure to pick one up today!

S550 Hood Buying Guide

Even with the modern body style of the S550 Mustang, you may be searching for a way to give your pony a more custom look. While fiberglass is the most affordable option, carbon fiber will help shave off some weight.

Upgrading Your Mustang

To take a look at everything available for your car, you can also head straight to our Mustang parts page. Shop by brand, category, and model year to find exactly what you’re looking for. To stay in the loop with the latest deals and sales, sign up for our email newsletter.

About the Author

C.J. is a Focus ST owner and car industry buff. He uses his first-hand experience and passion for the industry to craft interesting and helpful topics for fellow enthusiasts. Read full bio →

Sources: Ford