Chromeshadow

Here is what I did to mine for some cheap and reasonable gains:
Dual exhaust, Cold air kit, underdrive pulley, manually advanced the timing by rotating the crank shaft positioner. ( had to run mid or premium fuel in summer)
Here is how I checked it, 0-60 got down to 7 seconds, I could burn the tires shifting manually into second (I had the auto trans), and hwy mileage went up from 27 hwy to 30.
I ran a couple of 4.6s the same year (to 60 mph)on the street and lost by one-two car lengths. I could easily keep up with the 98s and older unless they were modded. It wasn't real fast, but it was fast enough to be fun. It's very expensive and difficult to try to keep up with the new 3.7s and 5.0s.

iron

The underdrive pulley set up, claims to give you like 20 hp, is that actually true? I could probably easily rotate the sensor, never thought of it.
I appreciate all the help.

Soldier GT

Youll never get 20 HP out of any mod that cost less than a hundred bucks, so don't listen to all of the MFG claims. How much power are you wanting to make? Also crank HP means nothing. It's the power that goes to the rear wheels that count.

iron

498 Rwhp would be sweet! Honestly, whatever I can get. I would like to be closer to a GT rather than a 1985 Fiesta.

iron

Chromeshadow, did the crankshaft position sensor have much movement to it? How much did you turn it?

iron

I have to get an inspection done in a few days, so I will leave it be until afterwards.

Soldier GT

I hear ya man but I don't want you to make the same mistake I did (and many others) and spend a lot of money for a little gain. Have you thought about saving up for a supercharger? It's not that expensive and besides nitrous it's the best bang for the buck. I did the $1500.00 Supercharger build.

iron

You did it on a V6 or an 8? I didn't know they came that cheap.

iron

Also a consideration is changing the gearing on my rear end.

Chromeshadow

When I took off the crank pulley to replace it with an underdrive pulley, I noticed the gear like device with one tooth missing-this is the crank shaft positioner. When it rotates it passes by a plastic sensor with a magnet in it. The CSP is held in with three or 4 small bolts. I enlarged the holes enough to rotate the CSP about 1/2 the width of one of the bolts. I don't remember which way-but you want move it the same direction that the engine rotates. A good tune will do a better job, but this mod is free.
The underdrive pulley did make a difference, so did the K&N, but I'd guess closer to 10HP for both. I think I got about 15-20 HP with everything I did. Advancing the timing is worth a lot in the 3.8, they do not have a knock sensor so they run them a little conservative. The down side, pre-ignition is really bad for your engine. I ran mine to 195,000 miles with no trouble, but I did run mid or premium gas when it was hot.