need helpful advice for improving mustang performance
04-12-2011, 06:00 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: colorado
Posts: 1
need helpful advice for improving mustang performance
I have a 1988 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 that i would like to add performance modifications to. Everything on it is stock. I don't know where to start so any advise would be grateful.
04-12-2011, 09:39 PM
#3
3rd Gear Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Washington
Posts: 516
I'm no Mustang expert like some of the folks are on here, but from reading what they've wrote/told people, and trying to absorb it, I can tell you what you're gonna hear... 1) How much money are you wanting to spend? 2) How much horsepower/torque are you wanting out of it? 3) What's your goal with it, street car or more race oriented?
Some of the basic bolt ons people do to free up some extra power out of it without dropping a whole lot of money are: Headers ($300ish w/o install), better flowing exhaust with possibly an aftermarket H or X pipe ($700ish w/o install), different intake (Like Cobra etc), gears in the rearend (which can make a pretty good feeling of difference)...
When it seems like people have a bit more to spend, then maybe: HCI (Heads/Cam/Intake)... (can be $1600-$3000ish but can make a significant power difference, especially with the [above] basic bolt ons)
And then after that I see people go with Superchargers or Turbos with supporting mods (can obviously get a bit expensive but can make BIG power)...
...I'm sure that more well-versed people will chime in to help you, but hope this helps a bit!
Some of the basic bolt ons people do to free up some extra power out of it without dropping a whole lot of money are: Headers ($300ish w/o install), better flowing exhaust with possibly an aftermarket H or X pipe ($700ish w/o install), different intake (Like Cobra etc), gears in the rearend (which can make a pretty good feeling of difference)...
When it seems like people have a bit more to spend, then maybe: HCI (Heads/Cam/Intake)... (can be $1600-$3000ish but can make a significant power difference, especially with the [above] basic bolt ons)
And then after that I see people go with Superchargers or Turbos with supporting mods (can obviously get a bit expensive but can make BIG power)...
...I'm sure that more well-versed people will chime in to help you, but hope this helps a bit!
04-13-2011, 06:30 PM
#5
6th Gear Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: st clair shores MI
Posts: 6,028
please tell me it is a 5-speed ? and not a AOD car
if no... #1 priority is a 5 speed swap. it'll be like adding 100 horsepower
if yes...... gears and tires will give you the best drop in ET other than nitrous
imo..... take a stock 5.0 5 speed and do 4.10 gears with 26 X 10.5" mickey thompson et streets and spray it with a 100 shot kit
you'll run 12's for about $1200 (assuming the gears are done by a shop and you do the nitrous) and spank every vette or other schmuck from light to light on all occasions
dont let yourself fall victim to the myths about 4.10 gears or nitrous.
and ask yourself if you really do in fact.... want to go fast. if the answer is no.... then get 3.73's or 3.55's so you dont get scared. otherwise i will deflate every myth and rumor of the 2 simplest ways to go fast.
i bought my first stang in 1987, and my first 5.0 in 1990
im on my 6th one now.... so ive been playing this game for a lil bit, and yes i am opinionated.
if no... #1 priority is a 5 speed swap. it'll be like adding 100 horsepower
if yes...... gears and tires will give you the best drop in ET other than nitrous
imo..... take a stock 5.0 5 speed and do 4.10 gears with 26 X 10.5" mickey thompson et streets and spray it with a 100 shot kit
you'll run 12's for about $1200 (assuming the gears are done by a shop and you do the nitrous) and spank every vette or other schmuck from light to light on all occasions
dont let yourself fall victim to the myths about 4.10 gears or nitrous.
and ask yourself if you really do in fact.... want to go fast. if the answer is no.... then get 3.73's or 3.55's so you dont get scared. otherwise i will deflate every myth and rumor of the 2 simplest ways to go fast.
i bought my first stang in 1987, and my first 5.0 in 1990
im on my 6th one now.... so ive been playing this game for a lil bit, and yes i am opinionated.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
