CaliKid

So i picked up my 89 lx 5.0 a few weeks ago..LOVE it. Has stock motor with 119k og miles, only thing it has is an xpipe on it..i want to get use to it and use up the old tires(burn rubber!) before i start mashing on it and replacing em

i need some suggestions on the mods i should begin with..i live in cali so longtubes are out :\..i was thinkin some bbk shorties, cold air intake, was thinking about rebuilding the rear but thats a lil pricey..was also thinking about getting an SCT tuner
also thinking about suspension..any suggestions?

AdderMk2

yep.. you should TOTALLY buy an SCT tuner...

ugh.

CaliKid

yea actually thats a must

93hatch306

if it's still got factory gears, get rid of 'em. 3.73's or 4.10's.....it won't feel like the same car.

CaliKid

wait...i dont think tuners are available for 5.0's(fox's) only eliminator chips

CaliKid

yea still have the factory gears..ford racing 3.73 gears is probably next

but wont doing this throw off the speedometer?

tommiesgt

yes they make speedometer gears calibrated to them though if you want it to read the correct mph. im just starting with mine too first efi car for me so good luck.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SDA-392STE17271D/

Styg

I am going to tell you to leave the car alone for a while. You sound like you are very young and don't have much spare cash. You have a nice clean car, keep it that way and save $$$ for college and other expenses. If you start modifying the car the expenses start adding up fast.

mjr46

also please don't post non tech threads in the tech section , it's called read the dang forum rules!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

nitrous_bob

you want the red 21t for 3.73
you really want to swap the drive gear from 7t to 6t then use a black 20t if you go 4.10

i suggest going 4.10 over 3.73, even if you have 2.73 (look at door tag m=2.73, z=3.08) 3.73 will have you wanting more.

doing the 6t drive requires splitting the case on the trans apart, so you'll prob end up with the 23t but that is NOT a ford part. and it WILL chew up eventually

sticky tire and 4.10's will have you running like you added 100 hp

dont waste too much money on suspension, energy suspension poly kit does wonders, as do hpm mega bite jrs

not much need for adjustable anything unless your gonna autocross it, and same goes for uppers.. feel free to do it but you'll 60 foot the same

forget about tuners and chips, until you have an air fuel issue, or do HCI swap and need to tweak some out... you'll see nothing

other suspension stuff will take away handling so if you DD the car dont do it... leave your swaybars on, dont do 90/10's none of that stuff. you'll hate it everyday.

cai is fine but wont do much, shorty headers and a 2 1/2" catback will do you good, more sound than performance. assuming your x-pipe is 2 1/2" thats fine, if it's 2 1/4" like the stock stuff you need to ditch it.

after that, save up for heads or nitrous