Hey, I just picked up a 66 coupe with a rebuilt 289 and im basically just wondering what are the easiest ways to increase the horsepower short of nos, im pretty new to this kind of thing so any help you can offer would be great thanks. Also if anyone knows a good website with technical information on what kind of preformance upgrades you can do to a classic stang that would be great to.

 

The first thing you need to do is read all the information in the FAQ section on top. If you have a stock 2v 289, and have the money, then new aftermarket aluminum heads, new aluminum 4v intake, 4v carb, headers, X or H pipe and good flowing mufflers and gears in the rear will be your first upgrades. That is assuming you have already upgraded the front to disk brakes and have replaced all the front and rear suspension parts. The bottom end of the engine will be next. If this is confusing to you, then take it one step at a time in asking quesions. There is so much to cover here with a general question like that. Let us know what you need.

 

how does aluminum heads increase power....? jw

 

New AFTERMARKET HEADS give more power. THere better flowing, with larger valves and etc. The aluminum is very light, so it takes off alot of wieght on your car too.

 

more airflow means more power, but you also need to have the cam, intake, and exhaust all in the same operating range so as to get a decent running engine.

There is alot you can do with a 289, but like Soaring said, what do you want to do? need more info, like budget, intended usage ie daily driver, weekend toy, blowing the doors off imports and new cobra's etc...

Also how much do you know about working on cars? Full on novice or just been into different vehicles, ie GM mopar or late models?

 

I would be weary of using NOS before changing engine internals such as pistons and connecting rods.

Get new heads and a light camshaft. The stock for 289 heads have terrible airflow, and better heads will increase the power quite a bit.

Other than that, headers and a better flowing exhaust would help.

 

I get nervous everytime i start the pony. There is no way i would put NOS in my stang. I am also scared to dyno it. I dont want to do anything that is not necesary

 

Heads, cam, intake, carb.

 

First off [sm=welcomesign.gif] to the forum.
The first thing you have to ask yourself is "How much can I spend" and that will tell you if you can afford new heads or not. All the other goodies such as carb, intake, cam and exhaust are a must-change but heads can be expensive.

Cheers......[sm=icon_cheers.gif]