american muscle newbie
 

So like it says Im a newbie to the American car scene I've been an import guy for a while but will be getting an '87 LX in a few weeks. My question is where to start modding. The car has a true dual exhaust with high flow cats and flowmaster mufflers, kyb shocks, 3.73 gears, ac delete some MSD ignition components and thats about it. My long term plans are to make this baby really shine (yea it may realistically take me 2-3 years but hey ill do it!!!). Im not sure what the true potential of the 302HO is but is 400hp a realistic goal NA or would it require a s/cer? Anywaysill have about $2000 to spend on upgradesright off the bat and Im guessing headers and intake would be the first place to start and from what I've read (yes I searched)if I get the LT headers Im going to replace the motor mounts and possibly tranny mount. After the basics whats next I've read some stuff on MAF but being an import guy I've never really had to mess with that so what should I look for and what are the benefits? Or possible a cam? any help is appreciated.

RE: american muscle newbie
 

To get your 400 N/A horsepower without a S/C you are going to need

1. AFR or TRICK FLOW HEADS
2. Aftermarket Intake
3. Longtube Headers
4. Cam
5. Cold Air Intake
6. Chip
7. Last but not least you will need to stroke it. 331 or either 347 should easily put you at 400 hp with the above mods listed.

RE: american muscle newbie
 

Wow 400 hp can be reached NA haha I've been around turboed import too long.

RE: american muscle newbie
 

Try 475hp N/A

Long term for adding some boost later you will
probably want to convert to MAF.
a 1987 model should still have "speed density"

Start off by bumping the timing, headers and exhaust
then cam and intake and boost.

There are some really nice turbo kits - www.hellionpowersystems.com
that will take a stock 5.0 and make 400hp at the wheels

RE: american muscle newbie
 

congrats on selling the hamster wheel and getting a real car!

RE: american muscle newbie
 

With 475 numbers I may decide to stay NA for a while I not used to seeing numbers like that without boost. Although s/c is still going to be a long term goal. Im definitaly going to have to search this forum for more info I got too many newbie questions. I have seen a few people talking about GT40 heads but when replacing heads what other modifications does that require as im sure it depends on what heads you get.

RE: american muscle newbie
 

heads and gears are the 2 best mods for a 5.0
and when you do heads...might as well do a cam(since the rockers are off) and a good intake manifold

RE: american muscle newbie
 

haha I still got the hampster car its going to be my daily, i still love the imports :)but i need something that will out run my dads 5.9 dakota without breaking a sweat.

RE: american muscle newbie
 

im building a 331 stroker for 95 gt. the 331 is a 302 bored .030 over with a 3.125 stroke.
Boring, Honing, Cleaning $250
331 Stroker Kit $1,100
AFR 185 Heads & Spring Upgrade $1,645
Custom Grind Cam $250
Edelbrock Performer RPM ll Manifolds $600
BBK Shorty Equal Length Headers $220
Ford racing 30# Injectors $290
BBK Cold Air Intake $165
Edelbrock 70MM Throttle Body $240
Edelbrock Throttle Body Adapter $96
Pro-M 75mm Mass Air Flow Sensor $250
Subframe Connectors $170
Ford Racing Aluminum Driveshaft $237
B&M Transmission Cooler $60
you wont need the TB adapter but you might need the EGR stuff. my set up should produce a little over 400hp at the fly. seriously double the amount that you origionaly plan to spend...it adds up quick.
thats about $5,100 right there...plan to spend that if you are going N/A...a SC will run 3k to 4.5k for a good centrifugal SC
Pro-M 75mm Mass Air Flow Sensor

$250

Pro-M 75mm Mass Air Flow Sensor
$250
Pro-M 75mm Mass Air Flow Sensor

Pro-M 75mm Mass Air Flow Sensor

RE: american muscle newbie
 

so would 4.10 gears be better than the 3.73 gears?