Hey Guys,
I am very new to the 5 literFord, I have a 1990 GT convertible with 120,000 that I just bought, I would like to improve
the performance a little. I was thinking a cold air intake, exhaust, and maybe a chip. I am not trying to make a drag
racer or anything just want a little more power. Can y'all tell me if I am headed in the right direction, or should I pursue
other areas.

Thanks, Jeff

 

Don't waste money on a cold air, because the stock airbox can support a lot of power. Just throw a K&N filter in the stock airbox. A full exhaust system will benefit you (headers, midpipe, and catback) but will only net you like 10hp on a stock 5 liter unless your exhaust is clogged or something now. Gears are the best bang for the buck, I would do 3.73's, you should definately be enthralled with those improvements.

Next you would be looking at Heads, cam and intake. But that's for a lot more power. Just letting you know now, because with the first minor mods, you are going to get hooked. All of us here are.

 

The really cheap and simple things I've done to my car that made me happy:

Air silencer delete (free)
SN95 70mm MAF ($35)
180 Degree thermostat ($15 with gasket)

On a total butt-dyno scale, I'd say those 3 things netted me about 5hp.. Its seems to pull harder from 4k-5k than it did before.

Simple stuff like new plugs, wires, cap/rotor, and fuel filter may wake your car up too. All that stuff could be 120,000 miles old.

 

+1 ^^ IMO i would do a H pipe w/ catback(all 2.5" piping), then gears.

 

He's right look for a set up gt40's or gt40p heads an a nice cam like i like the Fordracing cams everyone says there outdated but they've been around a long time so thats makes up alot to me I love my Fcam just set yourself a goal like some of us to like I wanted atleast 300ponies an im there with my setup,and thats a a real cheap buget cheaper than most guys.But im happy with my mods.

Go Like 91hatchgtsaid HCI swap look for a bigger maf house,throttlebody,an 24lb injectors an 3:73 gears u'll be happy with that!

 

yea put some gears and full exhaust on

 

Hey Jeff are u running a 5-speed ar auto?
if ur running, auto... then get a 3500rpm converter for tranny, tranny cooler, shift kit.

i have 3.73's and luv em, bbut i shoulda done 4.10's and reccomend this be ur first modification.

next i recommend underdrive performance pullies; fender style cai, advance timing to 14 degrees, lower your car (springs) if not already, and get subframe connectors for making chassis stronger. then get aftermarket headers/offroad x or h pipe, and dump at the mufflers.

anything else like H/C/I should be done together and require alot of supporting things. for example, cam will require stronger valve springs and u might think about going with 1.7 roller rockers at that point too. then u may need longer pushrods and taller head covers which may require a spacer for the intake to clear the covers. then there's piston to valveclearance to think about throughtout all this. for streetable performance noticability u will have to do this type of heads/cam/intake upgrades. or for upgrade noticibility which wont be all-time there, is NITROUS.

 

The first thing I would dois tolet your 5.0 breath starting with some BBK shorty headers, then an MAC off-Road H Pipe. Flowmasters mufflerswould sound amazing with this combo. The next step would be a set of Ford Racing 3.73 gears is a must. Then I would give it a performance tune up. The last thing I would addwould bea BBK cold air system with a K&N filter at the tip. This will make your car feel stronger with out droping a lot of cash!

Also, you could get rid of that crapy stock shifter and drop in a MGW Shifter to get the best out of your muscle.

TRUST ME, THIS IS A GREAT BEGINERS PACKAGE!

 

that is so true but yes just like 91 said exhaust would be the first thing i did if i were u and then gears big difference just with the gears makes a stock car get up a lot quicker

 

Hey Guys thanks for all the great information, Dave93VertGT the car is an automatic. I do plan to do a MAJOR tune-up on the car to start with, maybe even add the MAF like maxwelhse suggested, some really easy and cheap to start with. From what you guys are telling me I think the exhaust will be next on the list, the car is a little to quiet for me now LOL. I have never done a rear end gear before I guess it is time to try. Again thanks for the information guys and I will keep y'all posted on my upgrades.