Change 1 thing? - 2003-04 Mach 1 Registry Owners Club

smith30 · 08-19-2011, 08:45 AM

If you could change 1 thing in the Mach 1's from the factory....what would it be? Looks, performance, whatever.

Be realistic. We weren't going to get a s/c since the cobra took that one LOL.

I would say maybe an IRS? Comfort wise of a nice cruiser/spirited driving car.

jaimoe · 08-19-2011, 09:26 AM

I think it should have come from the factory with a 5.4 with forged internals.

01SteedaGT · 08-19-2011, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smith30

If you could change 1 thing in the Mach 1's from the factory....what would it be? Looks, performance, whatever.

Be realistic. We weren't going to get a s/c since the cobra took that one LOL.

I would say maybe an IRS? Comfort wise of a nice cruiser/spirited driving car.

Great idea for a thread! A IRS would definitely have been a great addition!

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaimoe

I think it should have come from the factory with a 5.4 with forged internals.

73mach03 · 08-19-2011, 10:00 AM

Better seatbelt retractors. Not the smoothest I've ever had.

DSG2003Mach1 · 08-19-2011, 10:02 AM

Wasn't the idea for the mach to basically be a drag pack 99/01 cobra? Irs would have kind of defeated the purpose imho. Some 4.10s and 31 spline rear would have been nice

smith30 · 08-19-2011, 10:06 AM

I don't know the actual "idea" they were shooting for in the Mach. I figured it was meant to be a middle ground between the GT and Cobra.

I thought the 5.4 was not that much better than the 4.6? A lot of people want to drop one in but the time/effort to do it is not worth the gains?

Shane@TM · 08-19-2011, 10:20 AM

id say im on the 5.4 and the better rear end train. i think the mach should have had a bit more than simply 300hp.

a t56 would have been nice too.

TRbetngu · 08-19-2011, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 73mach03

better seatbelt retractors. Not the smoothest i've ever had.

+1

stang8092 · 08-19-2011, 10:33 AM

T56 would be my first choice followed by increased hp.

Machy uno · 08-19-2011, 10:38 AM

I believe the Mach was meant to be the middle ground between the 260hp GT and the 390hp Cobra. Under-rated at 305hp, I'd say they got the most hp possible without overtaking the cobra. With the solid axle, ours aren't much slower then the cobra off-the line. Not to mention, in '03 when these came out 305hp was alot. Not many other cars had that much.

So..the one thing...? THE DANG RIMS! You retro the car, give it it's own shaker, own graphics, own seats and even it's own rims...at 17x8 inches? Really? My solid axle is supposed to get traction with 17 tall, 8 INCH WIDE tires with gatorbacks lining them? ARRRR....How much trouble would it have been to take the same tire and stretch it out to at least 9 inches? I've since upgraded, but I upgraded to 18x9's in the front and 18x10's in the back, both deep dish, that come close to matching the stockers. Only reason I upgraded was to get more meat on the ground!

kiler be · 08-19-2011, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 73mach03

better seatbelt retractors. Not the smoothest i've ever had.

+ 2

ASH302 · 08-19-2011, 10:57 AM

i like the 5.4L ideal
but for me i think it would have to be having em come from the factory with the DD mach rim and the front being 17x9 atleast. i understand why they don't stagger em, but that would be my vote and then the other one that others have said and was right there was a T56, that would have been sweet

ASh

donjuaniii · 08-19-2011, 11:08 AM

3:73 stock gears would have been an easy addition....

ASH302 · 08-19-2011, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by donjuaniii

3:73 stock gears would have been an easy addition....

very true since they stuck the 3.55's in there
ASh

MCHNROL · 08-19-2011, 11:15 AM

forged internals or T56

doubleg · 08-19-2011, 11:31 AM

I would say the T56 and definately steeper gears. At least 3.73's although 4.10's would be perfect IMO.

MachWonGuy · 08-19-2011, 11:44 AM

6 speed & IRS would have been nice.
Always feel there should be some MACH1 identification on the inside, Mach 1 on the steering wheel would have been kinda kewl.
I think Ford did a great job on the 03/04 Mach's. Looking forward to the next Mach 1 release

mach1 03 · 08-19-2011, 11:53 AM

Everyone knows that the cobra was underrated, so the mach could have had more power. I say they should have kept the aluminum block changed to forged internals and add a supercharger. All together, have a hp rating from 350-375. At least then, there would have been a lot of power left on the table making it easier and cheaper to achieve some decent numbers. The cobra would of still had plenty of upgrades over the mach and would have still had more power.

2camsam · 08-19-2011, 11:58 AM

Maybe 96-98 Cobra cams and more gear options (4:10- 4:30's) also an option for Fr500 intake manifold.

DSG2003Mach1 · 08-19-2011, 12:44 PM

the blowers and 5.4 etc etc...pretty sure that would have blown the price range they were gunning for completely. They had to hit the price gap as well as the power gap

ASH302 · 08-19-2011, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MCHNROL

forged internals or T56

i like your thinking, that would save so many people alot of money, i know it would have me, but i could have seen them bump up the price, but then again it would have been worth payin the extra money for that stuff

ASh

Mulldune · 08-19-2011, 02:41 PM

I would have liked to see green as a color option

ASH302 · 08-19-2011, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mulldune

I would have liked to see green as a color option

i think a hunter green or the highland green would have been bad azz looking, also i saw a guy did a silver and that looked really good too.

ASh

gerry066 · 08-19-2011, 03:47 PM

i don't no who came up with the only option to be an iup ...i really don't get that ..and i think it was only 350 dollar up grade ...my car does not have it ,..i have seen this up grade ....silver inserts on dash and console ,steel foot pedals and a bigger head rest on seat that is movable ...all this for $350 ,what a stupid option imo

rich1 · 08-19-2011, 04:29 PM

Lets see.

..5.4 + 350 rwhp + and a rear Bumper that said Mach 1 . With those 3 things people would know it was a Mach, when they caught up to it !

08-19-2011, 08:45 AM	#1
smith30 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: walton, ky Posts: 1,131	Change 1 thing? If you could change 1 thing in the Mach 1's from the factory....what would it be? Looks, performance, whatever. Be realistic. We weren't going to get a s/c since the cobra took that one LOL. I would say maybe an IRS? Comfort wise of a nice cruiser/spirited driving car. __________________ 95 Camaro Z28 - current (DD and autocross toy) 99 Cobra - sold 04 GTO M6 - sold 03 Mach 1 - sold 04 GT - sold

08-19-2011, 09:26 AM	#2
jaimoe Speed addict Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 648	Re: Change 1 thing? I think it should have come from the factory with a 5.4 with forged internals. __________________ Best time 1/8th mi--7.65@90MPH 2003 DSG Mach 1 99/01 Cobra front bumper Darrin-Matic w/3500 stall converter 100 Shot 4.10 Gears Stock Springs KYB AGX adjustable shocks/struts tubular LCAs UPR dbl adj UCAs Custom SCT Tune 255/40/18 front 295/35/18 rear FR500 Wheels Custom RAI UPR O/R X-Pipe Roy spacer Flowmaster 40's I may not be as good as I once was, but I'm as good once as I ever was." "Just an old man having fun"

08-19-2011, 10:00 AM	#4
73mach03 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: HP, NY Posts: 1,720	Re: Change 1 thing? Better seatbelt retractors. Not the smoothest I've ever had. __________________ 2003 Zinc Yellow Mach 1, M5, Bassani Catback 2016 White Subaru WRX, Borla S-Type Catback Red Sox, Raiders, and Electric Guitars

08-19-2011, 10:02 AM	#5
DSG2003Mach1 700 HP Mach Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 8,384	Re: Change 1 thing? Wasn't the idea for the mach to basically be a drag pack 99/01 cobra? Irs would have kind of defeated the purpose imho. Some 4.10s and 31 spline rear would have been nice __________________ 03 dsg mach1 - MPR built 9.5:1 motor, D1, cams, ported intake, full exhaust, magnum t56, built rear, E85 etc... '12 F150 FX2 Supercrew with Ecoboost daily beater

08-19-2011, 10:06 AM	#6
smith30 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: walton, ky Posts: 1,131	Re: Change 1 thing? I don't know the actual "idea" they were shooting for in the Mach. I figured it was meant to be a middle ground between the GT and Cobra. I thought the 5.4 was not that much better than the 4.6? A lot of people want to drop one in but the time/effort to do it is not worth the gains? __________________ 95 Camaro Z28 - current (DD and autocross toy) 99 Cobra - sold 04 GTO M6 - sold 03 Mach 1 - sold 04 GT - sold

08-19-2011, 10:20 AM	#7
Shane@TM Toledo Mustangs Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: toledo, ohio Posts: 1,433	Re: Change 1 thing? id say im on the 5.4 and the better rear end train. i think the mach should have had a bit more than simply 300hp. a t56 would have been nice too. __________________ Toledo Mustang Club Under the knife AGAIN! "The more you mod it, the more it breaks" CRT PERFORMANCE TUNED

08-19-2011, 10:33 AM	#9
stang8092 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Chicopee, MA Posts: 498	Re: Change 1 thing? T56 would be my first choice followed by increased hp.

08-19-2011, 10:38 AM	#10
Machy uno Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: houston, texas Posts: 1,499	Re: Change 1 thing? I believe the Mach was meant to be the middle ground between the 260hp GT and the 390hp Cobra. Under-rated at 305hp, I'd say they got the most hp possible without overtaking the cobra. With the solid axle, ours aren't much slower then the cobra off-the line. Not to mention, in '03 when these came out 305hp was alot. Not many other cars had that much. So..the one thing...? THE DANG RIMS! You retro the car, give it it's own shaker, own graphics, own seats and even it's own rims...at 17x8 inches? Really? My solid axle is supposed to get traction with 17 tall, 8 INCH WIDE tires with gatorbacks lining them? ARRRR....How much trouble would it have been to take the same tire and stretch it out to at least 9 inches? I've since upgraded, but I upgraded to 18x9's in the front and 18x10's in the back, both deep dish, that come close to matching the stockers. Only reason I upgraded was to get more meat on the ground! __________________ She was living in a single room with three other individuals. One of them was male and the other two, Well he!! the other two were females Gone but NOT FORGOTTEN http://www.cardomain.com/ride/330262

08-19-2011, 10:57 AM	#12
ASH302 Soldier for Christ Join Date: May 2009 Location: Willis, TX at The Daddy ASh Ranch Posts: 30,596	Re: Change 1 thing? i like the 5.4L ideal but for me i think it would have to be having em come from the factory with the DD mach rim and the front being 17x9 atleast. i understand why they don't stagger em, but that would be my vote and then the other one that others have said and was right there was a T56, that would have been sweet ASh __________________ 2001 lazer red v6 Mustang coupe sold in Aug 2006 2004 screaming yellow 5.0 sc Mach 1 sold in Oct 2012 2013 grey 6 speed coupe GT Mustang Sold in Feb 2014 2013 RED Dodge Charger R/T Sold Nov 2014 2002 custom Blue 02 Auto Trans AM Sold June 2015 1998 Cobra Black Sold summer 2016 Current 2009 Ford F350 FX4 March 2017 (work truck) 2003 OW 5.0 Mach 1 Aug 2020 ASh

08-19-2011, 11:08 AM	#13
donjuaniii Laid Back Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Missouri Posts: 1,054	Re: Change 1 thing? 3:73 stock gears would have been an easy addition.... __________________ "Red" hood and side stripes from Graphic Express.com

08-19-2011, 11:15 AM	#15
MCHNROL original owner Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Lou-a-vull, KY Posts: 1,556	Re: Change 1 thing? forged internals or T56 __________________ Built 5/23 Bought 10/9/03 AFS:17x9&10.5rims, MRT:PRO-M MAF, Street Smart CAI, MagnaFlowH&catbackw/Mach tips, Hood struts, FRPP:REM 4.10 w/31-sp Mosers, Alum flywheel&driveshaft, PHP:spacer, Steeda:Tri-ax, UCA,strut towerbrace, HPM:Megabitejr.LCA,subframes, T/A:Girdle, Raptor:shiftlite, SLP:linelock, UPR:Quad&Adj NGK TR55IX CDC:floormats, honeycombtail&sequentials, gaugerings, Grippermat, ShakrAirDiverter, Bullittfueldoor, SilverStripes, BuildIDplates, Tint@35%, cats 298rwhp/318tq FUN!

08-19-2011, 11:31 AM	#16
doubleg Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 377	Re: Change 1 thing? I would say the T56 and definately steeper gears. At least 3.73's although 4.10's would be perfect IMO. __________________ *Greg* 2003 Torch Red Mach 1 - getting less stockish as time rolls on 1999 Jeep XJ/Crawler - never met a rock it didnt like. *Just a poor guy with two expensive hobbies.*

08-19-2011, 11:44 AM	#17
MachWonGuy 70 Mach & 04 Mach Owner Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Kingston, Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,048	Re: Change 1 thing? 6 speed & IRS would have been nice. Always feel there should be some MACH1 identification on the inside, Mach 1 on the steering wheel would have been kinda kewl. I think Ford did a great job on the 03/04 Mach's. Looking forward to the next Mach 1 release __________________ 1970 Mustang Mach 1 351 4V 4-Speed Calypso Coral Purchased Aug 13th 1998 2004 Mustang Mach 1 4.6 32V 5-Speed Competition Orange Purchased Sept 24th 2008 2012 Mustang Boss 302 32V 6-Speed Race Red Purchased June 8th 2013 Check out my Mach's & Collection at: http://www.machwon.com

08-19-2011, 11:53 AM	#18
mach1 03 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 2,780	Re: Change 1 thing? Everyone knows that the cobra was underrated, so the mach could have had more power. I say they should have kept the aluminum block changed to forged internals and add a supercharger. All together, have a hp rating from 350-375. At least then, there would have been a lot of power left on the table making it easier and cheaper to achieve some decent numbers. The cobra would of still had plenty of upgrades over the mach and would have still had more power.

08-19-2011, 11:58 AM	#19
2camsam Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Knoxville Posts: 803	Re: Change 1 thing? Maybe 96-98 Cobra cams and more gear options (4:10- 4:30's) also an option for Fr500 intake manifold.

08-19-2011, 12:44 PM	#20
DSG2003Mach1 700 HP Mach Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 8,384	Re: Change 1 thing? the blowers and 5.4 etc etc...pretty sure that would have blown the price range they were gunning for completely. They had to hit the price gap as well as the power gap __________________ 03 dsg mach1 - MPR built 9.5:1 motor, D1, cams, ported intake, full exhaust, magnum t56, built rear, E85 etc... '12 F150 FX2 Supercrew with Ecoboost daily beater

08-19-2011, 02:41 PM	#22
Mulldune Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: London,OH Posts: 119	Re: Change 1 thing? I would have liked to see green as a color option

08-19-2011, 03:47 PM	#24
gerry066 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: toronto Posts: 107	Re: Change 1 thing? i don't no who came up with the only option to be an iup ...i really don't get that ..and i think it was only 350 dollar up grade ...my car does not have it ,..i have seen this up grade ....silver inserts on dash and console ,steel foot pedals and a bigger head rest on seat that is movable ...all this for $350 ,what a stupid option imo Last edited by gerry066; 08-19-2011 at 03:49 PM. Reason: spellin error

08-19-2011, 04:29 PM	#25
rich1 AUTOMACHTIC Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: RTP/ N.C. Posts: 4,813	Re: Change 1 thing? Lets see...5.4 + 350 rwhp + and a rear Bumper that said Mach 1 . With those 3 things people would know it was a Mach, when they caught up to it ! __________________ UPGRADES...Tokico Illuminas Borla SS Catback , Steeda Underdrives , Strut Brace , HPM Lower K Brace , L /C Arms , U /C Arms , HPM PanHard Bar, K&N FRPK 2, GOODYEAR GT1 , MRT- H-Pipe , JLT VaporTraps , SLP-12'" Tips! , FRPP Shorty 1 5/8 Headers , Brembo D/S & PBR D/S Rotors ,FRPP Alum.DS ,Roys 3/8 Spacer , SVT Focus 255 pump SCTsw Chip PRO-DYNOjet NA 300.01hp /315tq (Auto) ,Innovate W/B ,Compucar Wet Kit (90jet) + Heater and E Gauge * 360 hp/385tq 12.5 -1/4 @112

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