1977 Ford Granada

[Anonymous]

I have a 1977 Ford Granada with a 250 inline 6. I was wondering if there is anything I could do to it to give it a bit more pep, like exhaust or something. Basically what everyone has been telling me is stuff like "it isn't worth it to put a good muffler or system on it" or "there isn't much you can do with an inline 6."

Also is there any way I can legally remove the emissions stuff because it doesn't have to go through emissions testing, but i still thought you couldn't remove the cat, legally.

 

[BIGREDRASA]

Welcome, JGull8501. Spend some time looking through these posts, and you'll find answers to questions you haven't even thought of. Just click on "Usergroups" and start enjoying. If you apply yourself, you'll find out how to embarrass Bent 8s and have Rice for dessert.

 

[Anonymous]

I'll take a stab at this and I think others will have alot to say too. Things you could do include:

Headers
2v carb
MSD ignition
High performance cam
aussie 2v head or look at Jacks new crossflow head
k&N air filter
clifford exhaust port divider
ram air setup
and more

Spend some time looking at this site. In a way there are too many things to do to hop up the 6 (because of the usual lack of time and $$$$$)
I really hate when people say there is nothing to do to the 6. NOT TRUE!

 

[xctasy]

Welcome here. I am something of a prankster here, but I'd love to help! These people are very switched on, and ultra patient!


Ok, here my 2 cents worth. Forget carbs, cams, heads and major mods.

If its auto, grab an AOD from a 300 I6 F150/250 truck,and drop it in. Then look for a factory option lower diff gear to it. There should be one that passes the emissions certification...Ford had a few options. Yes, the box wasn't really strong, but the factory 2.75 or 3:1 gears were sad on a 3800 pound lux-o machine. Lower to a 3.55:1 diff if you can. I can't see why the Feds would knock it back for the visual and sniffer tests. The AOD trans wasn't real tough, but they are cheap and should take a 100 shot of nitrous. (Some people call it the Angel of Darkness, but I think its a cool thing! Click on to the tech section, and check out again the transmission Jack C used in his Stang before the EFI X-FLO. It is not a lemon)


Then just add a Nitrous oxide system. So long as you don't go overboard, or worry about the issues of someone else crashing into you car and trying to peg the accident on your funny gas system, the thing will be legal. And you'd do a mid 15 second quarter with perfect gearing for the drags ( ) and a nice 2000 rpm cruise at 60 mph.

The same sort of 250 block in Australia did service in 350 hp turbo kits, with no changes to the bottom end. It's strong as an ox!

Click on this :arrow: http://fordsix.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2707

Restrict your budget, and let the torque do the walking! You'd scare a lot of people. I do in my 250 even with a 3-speed auto and 2.77 diff...but its only 3150 pounds unladen and it launches

 

[CZLN6]

Howdy JGull8501:

Welcome to the journey. Your exhaust removal question is really a federal government one. The EPA laws governing your exhaust are enforced by each state with Big Brother looking over their shoulder. Each state varies considerably in how they go about enforcing. So you will need to check out your options in your state. In general, vehicles that are over 10 years old, and over 50,000 miles have some room to flex. Soooo....

I believe your '77 250 will have a good exhaust manifold, as opposed to those which have the "Quick burn" cat attached to the manifold. You could simply repace your stock muffler with a good turbo type. You may also want to replace you original 25 year old cat, or "Temporily" remove it to test whether or not it was plugged. It would be illegal for anyone to recommend that you remove it. Others who have "lost" their cat system report losing weight, running cooler and increasing mileage and performance.

You would be wise to maintain the PCV and the stock air cleaner system as both increase performance and are good for the environment. Other emission stuff should be looked at carefully and assessed for interrelations and effects.

You didn't say what your rig was, 2 door or 4? Auto trans? And we could be more specific and helpful to you if you were to tell us more about your plan, your intended driving, your budget, your mechanical abilities and your goals.

You can start with a good ignition and carb tune up, increase the initial advance by 5 degrees, air up your tire pressure to the max and dejunk and unclutter the car. And read, read, read and learn, learn, learn.

Adios, David

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the replies so far.

My car is a 4 door automatic. I just use it for everyday driving. My budget isn't too much at all, I really just want to see what's out there for my car for when I do get some extra money. I myself am not too mechanically inclined so my dad does most of the work that the car needs done and I'm trying to learn from him.

 

[falcon fanatic]

If you can afford it, start with a header and exhaust. Otherwise, an inexpensive start would be to replace your entire exhaust system with a 2 1/4 or even 2 1/2 inch system. you can use a quiet muffler if you want, or a turbo for a little more punch. If you want to keep it legal, replace the cat with a high flow unit, preferably of the same diameter as the rest of the system. That will largely mitigate the negative effects of this device. High flow units can be had for around $100.

Next I would spend $30 on a hot coil and gap my plugs a little wider and advance the timing a bit.

Then I would go with a bigger carb. If budget is truly tight, the stovebolt Holley weber can be set up for under $100 and should provide a noticeable increase in power.

At this point you are probably still under $500 (excluding the header) and you should have quite a bit more punch. Save up and add a header to the above combination.

 

[Anonymous]

I would hesitate to put any money into a Granada. You will not get anything back out of it financially. If you are looking for power, there are tons of options to double, even tripple your horse power. But if this is just a daily driver & not a race car, what's the point. It'll never be a fast with that much weight & a 6. If you want better fuel economy & figure the money you spend on parts will be made up in fuel savings over time, then just add a headr & a Weber carb. You will get better mpg & more power, but for the money you spend on those 2 things alone, added to whatever you could sell that Granada for, you could get something smaller, lighter, faster, cooler... Say a Fairmont for example;-).

As far as emissions stuff goes, if they don't check it in your state on that age of car, pull the stuff off & keep it. You may have to put it back on to sell it. You can pull the cat if no one tests it anymore, it won't hurt anything but the environment.

Flame away.
David K

 

[Anonymous]

man you are truly truly luky to have a dad to help ya. any way its only illegal to pull the emissions crap if ya caught leave the pvc sistem on it though