bang for the buck!!

[Anonymous]

ive got a 1970 1/2 ford falcon you know the one that looks like a 70 torino, with a 250 in it and i was wandering what parts would get me the most performance with the least amount of money. i was thinking maybe a header and converting it over to a 2 barrel but wasnt sure if there was another option out there. any help would be greatly appreciated.

thanx,
Bill

 

[Lazy JW]

Howdy and welcome to the forum!

I love these "most bang for the buck" questions The most power per dollar will come from a good performance camshaft. Most folks don't like to hear this because they are hoping for some easy, simple bolt-on gadget that will instantly make twice as much power.

Fancy ignitions won't do it. A two-barrel carb will help. But you really need to get some breathing ability into the engine, and this is primarily controlled by the cam. The stock cam is quite mild, when this is upgraded THEN additinal modifications can really work.

If you are truly budget-minded, check out www.gofastforless.com for some ways to help without spending a pile of cash. The ignition upgrades are excellent values.
Joe

 

[mustangsix2]

i was wandering what parts would get me the most performance with the least amount of money.

a v8.

 

[Anonymous]

lazy jw.


just out of curiosity, how much might a new performance cam cost?

 

[Lazy JW]

Some careful shopping should keep you around $200. This assumes that you don't have an engine that is already plumb worn out, however.

A V-8 swap isn't cheap unless someone gives you all of the parts for free.
Joe

 

[CZLN6]

Howdy back Bill:

Welcome aboard the best Ford Six Forum anywhere.

I thought I'd add my two cents to your question, too. It will be abit of a rehash of what Joe has already given you.

The truth is, there is no magic bullet to performance. Likely the best bang for the bucks is a good tune up with some additional ignition advance thrown in. After that, a well thought out comprehensive plan is the best value. If you know what your ultimate goal is then you can start adding bits and pieces toward that ultimate goal. Lay a solid foundation.

So, next, it would be helpful for us giving advice to know more about your vehicle and it's condition; to know more about your end goal, to know more about how serious you want to get. What is the casting code on the head?

Then, know that a header will be relatively expensive an show a small gain in an otherwise stock engine. Yes, they are very cool and have alot of eye appeal, but without the flow in the intake, head, cam and exhaust little is gained. A header is most worthwhile as the rpm range goes up. On the other hand upgrading your stock exhaust system to a 2.25" or 2.5" ID system with a quality turbo type muffler, will be noticeable throught the stock rpm range and improve MPG and performance, and be a step already in place when it becomes a good time to step up to a header.

Another upgrade would be to step up to a DuraSpark II ignition system from a '76 or later 200/250, or to spring for a DUI/HEI system from Ford Six Performance. Open the plug gaps to take advantage of the hotter spark. Either will be noticeable in starting, idle, cruise and performance over your stock ignition and again, be foundational for what comes next.

The "Biggest bang for the bucks" time to change the cam is when you do a short block rebuild.

If you want to start with a head off enhancement, plan a valve job that adds 1.75" intakes to your stock head, milling to gain some more CR, do a three angle valve seat and back cut the intakes. If the bottom end is solid and you don't want to go into it to add a cam, consider 1.6:1 rocker arms to gain a little more lift.

That's my two cents, for what it's worth.

Adios, David

 

[250mav]

upgraded ignigtion, headers and carb are probably at the top of the easy list, but a cam would make it all worth while

 

[I66coupe]

Turbocharger

 

[hasa68mustang]

Turbocharger

That was my guess it was the only upgrade that I could feel a good seat in the pants difference

 

[XFlow_Fairlane]

ditto. if you can fab some parts then a turbo will be cake and will give you the most bang for the buck.

 

[Anonymous]

thanx guys, i was just wandering what was out there for these engines and what little things can i do that dont cost an arm and a leg so i can actually merge into traffic with out gambling with my life. these 70 1/2 falcons are heavy cars for these little engines. im not quite ready to drop a V8 into her yet so im gonna stick with the 250 for a while and build the car as i go along. As of right now the engine is bone stock and as far as i know has never been rebuilt, but runs good and doesnt smoke. the carb could use a rebuild and it needs a new exhaust beeing that the stuff that was on it rotted off, other than that its a good solid engine and for the size of the car shell pull a nasty one legger when i powerbrake it, but thats about it. any and all suggestions are greatly appreciated.


Bill

 

[ludwig]

upgraded ignigtion, headers and carb are probably at the top of the easy list,

In that order. Your 250 is a good plant. Get the ignition right. Tune it to spec plus a little advance. Throw the headers on with a non-restrictive exhaust and put a carb on that will give good flow.

Furthermore, get the Falcon Six Performance Handbook by Senor Schjeldahl and you will have all the ideas you need and in sequence from free to 'skys the limit'.

 

[Lazy JW]

ditto. if you can fab some parts then a turbo will be cake and will give you the most bang for the buck.

Well, yes, and if he can create a new cam profile be modifying a stock cam with a file it would be pretty cheap too. And if he could mine his own iron ore, smelt it, and cast a crossflow head it would save a bit of coin as well... :roll:

The nature of the original poster's question was, in my opinion, directed at what readily available, OFF THE SHELF items would give the "most performance with the least amount of money".

A properly set up turbo, applied with sound KNOWLEDGE, is a formidable gadget. In the hands of a novice, it can be fairly destructive. And destruction isn't cheap. Let's help the gentleman learn to walk before running.

I challenge ANYONE to take a good, stock Ford six, dyno it, then add whatever fancy ignition you want, dyno again, then swap back to stock ignition and a performance cam, and see what makes the most power for the dollar spent. Using only new, off the shelf aftermarket components, not my beloved junkyard parts.
Joe

 

[250mav]

the hood scoop with an open air cleaner siting up in it has done me some good. you can feel it take off a little bit quicker. I dont know if you have a pollution pump on you car, but thats one of those power robbers that you dont need.

 

[CobraSix]

As mentioned...Cam upgrade is most bang for the buck, hands down. Just requires a little more work to do it. Even a mild cam will increase the lift of the valves by 30% which means more air into the cylinders. But I did my cam upgrade during the winter when I was doing a soft rebuild of my engine. It was a 60 minute job then.

Headers will be eye candy until you really up the ability of the log head to bring in fuel and air. It's a great upgrade, but at your current level of modification, I think you'd be disappointed with the 'performance' part of the upgrade. They look great though and are a killer upgrade.

Slade

 

[ludwig]

You are probably right with the 'buck' as the only criterion. I think the 'buck' is one of two factors. The other is 'down time', like how long is the engine out of commission: (B x Dt) = ?. Pertronix = low down time; new cam = significantly larger down time.

Then you have the extraneous variable of the mechanic's skill or confidence. Put another way, what could the 'average' M'stang fan do in his driveway without sophisticated equipment that he must borrow or rent?

For most of us poor schlubs, the pop-off; pop-on is the ticket. I put in a new block and tranny myself, but I would rather use the car than work on it. New cam? Maybe on the next iteration (250 or large valve head, 2 bbl or 3x1, depends on how my auto patron (wife) is feeling that day).

 

[CobraSix]

Depending on the model, I know you can change the cam by removing the radiator and front valance (though engine pulling may still be faster).

You are right, it is a balancing act. I only did the Cam when I had a spare engine in my garage. I built my engine while I still had a working one in the car.

Slade

 

[ludwig]

When I was a kid, I used to read Science and Mechanics magazine. They would have all this killer plans. Then reading through the specs, it would say "cut with oxy-actetyline torch", or "drill a series of 9/16 holes with a clamping drill press" or "shape the sides with a fine toothed band saw." Grrrrr. I was twelve, all I had was a coping saw and drill motor and my dad sold educational films to school districts. Where do you go?
Hence my sympathy for the average joe with ????????'s floating around his head. (dial the cam?; dwell tach?; pitman arm puller?; inch-newtons? -- Whiskey Tango Foxtrot!)

P.S.: Spare engine???? I wish. (Just what I was talking about.)

 

[CobraSix]

You can have my spare engine!

I only had the spare because I bought a rebuilt 200 from a guy doing a V-8 swap so I had a few months to work on that block before I swapped it in for my old tired 200.

But hell, I started that way just a few years ago. My garage was almost devoid of tools. now my garage is full and my basement is starting to find tools being stored in it.

Slade

 

[ludwig]

Say no more. I have all the specialized left-handed screwdrivers and hexidecimal wrenches I need for my next project.

But sixes? This is California, honey, and the Stang is a California car. Just follow the Primedia truck. You can pick up all the sixes you want with a little baggie on your hand and a plastic scooper.

I can't keep them at home. (Have to hide them for heath reasons. My health)