bunnielebowski

I am a newbie in the car world and have a 93 Mustang 5.0 convertible. It is all stock except for flowmasters and has been on blocks in my garage for a couple years. It runs well but I would like to get it back on the road like a beast. I am looking for recommendations of what I can do for about $4K (including labor) that will improve performance. Since everything is stock, do I need to worry that other things in the engine need to be replaced with increased power?
Also, any recommendations for like 'engines for dummies' would be much appreciated!
Thanks!

GTnotchback

edit.

GTnotchback

Engines for dummies..... get like a trick flow top end kit, cold air intake, throttle body, mass air meter ,and 24 lb injectors. Also bigger fuel pump of your choice. Then See if you have any money left. If you do the list is never ending like exhaust etc... Id also recommend subframe connectors.

bluebeastsrt

4 Grand isn't much when you have to include labor. Start with a set of 3.73 gears or higher. Then do long tube headers and full exhaust. The exhaust work you should be able to do yourself. These mods are great on there own but will only make the bigger performance mods work better down the road.

Maxwelhse

Being a 'vert, I would make that my starting point.

Since its been sitting for awhile, it may be a good idea to have the brakes lubed up and have the old gas pumped out of it... I know, that's not fun stuff, but it should probably be done.

Is $4k your total maintenance budget or the budget just for hotrodding?

reldla1996

If you want a beast, a h/c/i install (trickflow suggested above, but there are several to choose from), or a supercharger will get you there. Also as stated above, $4K is limiting when you're also paying for labor. $4K could buy the parts required, but the labor can equal the parts cost. You'd be money ahead sell yours and buy someone else's toy that was already done, but get a real mechanic to look at it before you buy it.

88 orangepeel notch

If your on a budget, get on craigslist and start stockpiling the parts you want. There is always a ton of aftermarket goodies on there for a fraction of the cost of new. As stated above, gears would be my first choice. You can grab a complete rearend with gears already installed for $200-300, if that. Granted your taking a chance with used parts but if you research what to look for, you should do ok. I'm assuming your cars an automatic, those don't help performance at all. I just did the swap to a T5 last summer and it wasn't that bad, but made a night and day difference.

How mechanically inclined are you? You'd save a TON of money doing things yourself. If your in doubt, google whatever your trying to do, someone has a video to walk you thru it.

pedalhappy

http://pacesetterexhaust.com/94-95-m...e-headers.aspx
ask about the matching H pipe. Look up your year ofcourse but mine is auto set to 94-95 but I am just giving you a big bang for the buck scenario and its all the same anyways except the bends

http://www.americanmuscle.com/sr-cai...bo-9495gt.html
http://www.americanmuscle.com/edelbr...fold-8695.html maybe not what you need right now but offers huge room for improvement

http://www.americanmuscle.com/subfra...tors-7904.html
http://www.americanmuscle.com/stack-...eys-cobra.html
http://www.americanmuscle.com/373-ge...-kit-8613.html you need a full kit when changing never just change the ring and pinion
http://www.americanmuscle.com/ram-hd...45-clutch.html
with a clutch adjuster kit and the matching billet steel flywheel. Nothing feels better then a matching clutch n flywheel with power if you drive a stick.

I would also suggest getting with crower about making a custom cam for you. they do it for 350 and whatever heads you decide to use. I recommend windsor jr heads if you are looking for the most bang for the buck. They are iron but they flow really well and are innexpensive when compared to others. I have pretty much all this on my 94 and I have anywhere between 330-340ish rwhp. I also have forged rods n pistons but not that much different.

pedalhappy

Also pm if your interested in this stuff and I can possibly get you a discount on some of it

UPRSharad

If labor was not included in the $4k, I'd say TFS top end, UPR suspension, and sticky tires. But since it is included, I'd say something like this:

http://www.mustang50magazine.com/fea..._lx/index.html