Base Recipe for a high performance 4.0L
09-10-2006, 04:16 PM
#1
6th Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 5,172
Base Recipe for a high performance 4.0L
Not sure where to put this, but created this thread on another site and it was well received.
The topic comes up on what it takes to get a 4.0L into the performance of some V8 cars at the track. Mid 13’s with the potential to later go to 12’s is my baseline here.
After learning from my mistakes and others mistakes, I think I have come up with a cost effective list of modifications to get there. Please respond with any corrections/inclusions.
STAGE I BASE
Engine
• Power adder
o Nitrous Race Setup w/Intake, Tune & Install: $2000.00
o Turbo Setup w/Intercooler, Tune & Install: $6000.00
o SC Setup w/Intercooler, Tune & Install: $5000.00
Suspension
• LCA’s: $130
• UCA’s: $100
• Take off GT tire/wheel package (shipped): $450
Drivetrain
• LSD & gears w/Install: $700
or
• 8.8 Take Off Rear End: $600-1000
Exhaust
• Single Bolt on Muffler: $300
Summary
• 13 second Nitrous Rig on streets: $3680.00
• 13 second Turbo Rig on streets: $7680.00
• 13 second SC Rig on streets: $6680.00
Now, keep in mind that this is on street tires and assumes you have the base model V6. Those of you with the pony package can save $450 on these packages. Also keep in mind you will need a Snell 2005 Helmet@$250 for track events.
Not all of these packages are created equal, with equal potential to 12’s and for some of you nuts, 11’s. But the purpose of this thread is to provide you a cheat sheet of what it will take to reach V8 track performance, and I have seen a lot of perceived “fast” V8’s at the track run low 13’s to mid 14’s.
Some people may look at this list and want to trade in for a GT. LOL. But I wanted to show that now that people are getting these 4.0’s for a good price used or new, 13-20K, that an investment of 3-7K turns theses cars into real monsters!!! Also keep in mind that these poweradder kits come with tunes, and for those of you that want to do the install yourself and use the canned tunes, subtract $1K from them.
So please provide any input and thoughts. I am working on an optional section of this cheat sheet that includes DS w/loop, shifters, more suspension goodies, tuning costs for upping the boost, places to get engines (LOL), DR’s, etc. But that will take a bit.
UPDATE: 10.29.2006
Been meaning to update this one! Here are some additional components to consider:
STAGE 2 OPTIONAL COMPONENTS
Tires
• MT ET Streets: $300-400
• M&H Racemasters: $300-400
Chasis/Suspension
• Drive Shaft w/loop: $550
• Adjustable Drag Shocks: $530
• Panhard Bar Brace: $100
• Panhard Bar: $130-150
• Powerslot Rotors: $250-350
• Hawk Pads (Complete set): $160-200
• Steeda/Hurst Shifter: $140-230
• Rear Sway Bar: $280
• Upgraded Front Sway Bar: $200
• Strut Tower Bar: $200
• KMember Brace w/TQ Limiters: $160
• Springs: $250-350
Exhaust
• Headers: $300-630
• Dual Exhaust: $500-700
Misc.
• Gauges: $200-500
The topic comes up on what it takes to get a 4.0L into the performance of some V8 cars at the track. Mid 13’s with the potential to later go to 12’s is my baseline here.
After learning from my mistakes and others mistakes, I think I have come up with a cost effective list of modifications to get there. Please respond with any corrections/inclusions.
STAGE I BASE
Engine
• Power adder
o Nitrous Race Setup w/Intake, Tune & Install: $2000.00
o Turbo Setup w/Intercooler, Tune & Install: $6000.00
o SC Setup w/Intercooler, Tune & Install: $5000.00
Suspension
• LCA’s: $130
• UCA’s: $100
• Take off GT tire/wheel package (shipped): $450
Drivetrain
• LSD & gears w/Install: $700
or
• 8.8 Take Off Rear End: $600-1000
Exhaust
• Single Bolt on Muffler: $300
Summary
• 13 second Nitrous Rig on streets: $3680.00
• 13 second Turbo Rig on streets: $7680.00
• 13 second SC Rig on streets: $6680.00
Now, keep in mind that this is on street tires and assumes you have the base model V6. Those of you with the pony package can save $450 on these packages. Also keep in mind you will need a Snell 2005 Helmet@$250 for track events.
Not all of these packages are created equal, with equal potential to 12’s and for some of you nuts, 11’s. But the purpose of this thread is to provide you a cheat sheet of what it will take to reach V8 track performance, and I have seen a lot of perceived “fast” V8’s at the track run low 13’s to mid 14’s.
Some people may look at this list and want to trade in for a GT. LOL. But I wanted to show that now that people are getting these 4.0’s for a good price used or new, 13-20K, that an investment of 3-7K turns theses cars into real monsters!!! Also keep in mind that these poweradder kits come with tunes, and for those of you that want to do the install yourself and use the canned tunes, subtract $1K from them.
So please provide any input and thoughts. I am working on an optional section of this cheat sheet that includes DS w/loop, shifters, more suspension goodies, tuning costs for upping the boost, places to get engines (LOL), DR’s, etc. But that will take a bit.
UPDATE: 10.29.2006
Been meaning to update this one! Here are some additional components to consider:
STAGE 2 OPTIONAL COMPONENTS
Tires
• MT ET Streets: $300-400
• M&H Racemasters: $300-400
Chasis/Suspension
• Drive Shaft w/loop: $550
• Adjustable Drag Shocks: $530
• Panhard Bar Brace: $100
• Panhard Bar: $130-150
• Powerslot Rotors: $250-350
• Hawk Pads (Complete set): $160-200
• Steeda/Hurst Shifter: $140-230
• Rear Sway Bar: $280
• Upgraded Front Sway Bar: $200
• Strut Tower Bar: $200
• KMember Brace w/TQ Limiters: $160
• Springs: $250-350
Exhaust
• Headers: $300-630
• Dual Exhaust: $500-700
Misc.
• Gauges: $200-500
09-11-2006, 01:17 AM
#2
5th Gear Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: CO
Posts: 3,095
RE: Base Recipe for a high performance 4.0L
lol i hate when this happens. I always kid myself into thinking oh man i could buy the ph turbo kit for 4k and run low 13's! and then i realize i dont have an lsd, gears, any suspension stuff done, and there is no way i could install the snail with my tool situation and my garage space (the blower maybe). God whenever i see the true price of how much it costs i think maybe i'd be better off doing all the na bolt ons then getting cams and slowly building up to a 4.0 with head work cams and all the bolt ons... i really think we could run high 13's with that setup. I cant bring myself to drop 5 grand at one time.
09-11-2006, 11:27 AM
#3
MF Administrator
Join Date: May 2005
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 8,191
RE: Base Recipe for a high performance 4.0L
Great post! It just goes to show that there's more to getting quick ET's than simply adding a supercharger or turbo. It costs money to go fast. However, this shouldn't discourage anyone with a 4.0L. Ford has done a great job with the V6. It's a solid platform; it reponds well to add'l speed equipment; we share many components with our GT brothers; and the aftermarket is getting huge for our cars. GM and Chrysler have certainly noticed that Ford did something right here, and the ensuing Ponycar Wars should make running at the track even more fun!
10-29-2006, 05:10 PM
#6
3rd Gear Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location:
Posts: 529
RE: Base Recipe for a high performance 4.0L
Rygen, under drive train you might add 8.8-inch rear end replacement. Depending on who you get the price from it runs between $600 and about $1100. I got mine with 3.55s for $770 and have seen the 3.31 rear ends for $600 and even a bit less.
10-29-2006, 06:17 PM
#7
6th Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 5,172
RE: Base Recipe for a high performance 4.0L
ORIGINAL: Pyrat
Rygen, under drive train you might add 8.8-inch rear end replacement. Depending on who you get the price from it runs between $600 and about $1100. I got mine with 3.55s for $770 and have seen the 3.31 rear ends for $600 and even a bit less.
Rygen, under drive train you might add 8.8-inch rear end replacement. Depending on who you get the price from it runs between $600 and about $1100. I got mine with 3.55s for $770 and have seen the 3.31 rear ends for $600 and even a bit less.
10-29-2006, 08:34 PM
#8
MF Administrator
Join Date: May 2005
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 8,191
RE: Base Recipe for a high performance 4.0L
ORIGINAL: Pyrat
Rygen, under drive train you might add 8.8-inch rear end replacement. Depending on who you get the price from it runs between $600 and about $1100. I got mine with 3.55s for $770 and have seen the 3.31 rear ends for $600 and even a bit less.
Rygen, under drive train you might add 8.8-inch rear end replacement. Depending on who you get the price from it runs between $600 and about $1100. I got mine with 3.55s for $770 and have seen the 3.31 rear ends for $600 and even a bit less.
10-30-2006, 10:44 AM
#9
6th Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 5,172
RE: Base Recipe for a high performance 4.0L
ORIGINAL: 28hopup
So, can you use your hand-held tuner to manually adjust the calibration on the speedometer for the 3.55:1 gears, or does your tuner need to do that? I'd consider finding a wrecked GT with a 8.8" 3.55:1 and swap the yoke for the V6 driveshaft. That would be a fairly cheap mod, and no gear whine.
ORIGINAL: Pyrat
Rygen, under drive train you might add 8.8-inch rear end replacement. Depending on who you get the price from it runs between $600 and about $1100. I got mine with 3.55s for $770 and have seen the 3.31 rear ends for $600 and even a bit less.
Rygen, under drive train you might add 8.8-inch rear end replacement. Depending on who you get the price from it runs between $600 and about $1100. I got mine with 3.55s for $770 and have seen the 3.31 rear ends for $600 and even a bit less.
10-31-2006, 01:06 PM
#10
MF Administrator
Join Date: May 2005
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 8,191
RE: Base Recipe for a high performance 4.0L
ORIGINAL: rygenstormlocke
You can change the gear ratio with the XCAL2.
ORIGINAL: 28hopup
So, can you use your hand-held tuner to manually adjust the calibration on the speedometer for the 3.55:1 gears, or does your tuner need to do that? I'd consider finding a wrecked GT with a 8.8" 3.55:1 and swap the yoke for the V6 driveshaft. That would be a fairly cheap mod, and no gear whine.
ORIGINAL: Pyrat
Rygen, under drive train you might add 8.8-inch rear end replacement. Depending on who you get the price from it runs between $600 and about $1100. I got mine with 3.55s for $770 and have seen the 3.31 rear ends for $600 and even a bit less.
Rygen, under drive train you might add 8.8-inch rear end replacement. Depending on who you get the price from it runs between $600 and about $1100. I got mine with 3.55s for $770 and have seen the 3.31 rear ends for $600 and even a bit less.
Thanks! I knew you could go into the optional parameters to make changes, but I wasn't sure if 3.55:1 was one of the choices (guess I could plug in my xcal2 and look for myself, but that would be too easy!). Thanks again Todd. Can't wait to see Stella's new recipe for high performance
