bang for the buck!!

[Lazy JW]

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).

Agreed. The original question was pretty open-ended, and my response was based on the assumption that he could actually DO the work.

After camshafts, a two-barrel carb will give the most bang/buck. No special tools needed. Then probably high-ratio rockers. Still pretty simple. Headers would be dead last IMHO.

I just cannot comprehend the love affair some folks have with Pertronix though. YAWN.
Joe

 

[ludwig]

the love affair some folks have with Pertronix though. YAWN.

Cheap date. Getcha thru the night. Everybody has a first love. Some grow up later.

 

[addo]

Well, the closest we have to a resident shrink at present is probably Ludwig. (It would be nice if Ryan G came back.)

Maybe sir, a comment on the cult of these "little" things? Stuff that people can actually see at the shop counter, can hold in their hand, and readily afford to buy outright - such always have appeal, even when the merits are debatable...

Why?

 

[ludwig]

Yeah, like x-ray glasses ordered from the back of a comic book.

 

[addo]

And "Sea Monkeys"?

 

[64.5 TX Stang]

Hey I like Sea Monkeys, or I did when I was a kid.

 

[addo]

I tried them - a handful in the tank, topped up with premium - and they did nothing for performance. :roll:

So, we can probably advise smokingunz351 that X-Ray Specs and Sea Monkeys do nothing to increase "bang for the buck" in his motor...

 

[ludwig]

We have a whole lake full of Sea Monkeys in Cali. The lake is the saline Mono Lake and the sea monkeys are called brine shrimp. That's why they can live all dried out and then rehydrate in a bottle at your house.

Addo, you have surely seen the case where a homeowner had 'improved' something before you got there and now you have to work behind a bad job that harmed your ability to make it look better. The industry calls it 'remuddling' here.
Well, I believe there is a fundamental human need to JUST DO SOMETHING. When it intersects with the (debatable) notion of HEY, I CAN DO THAT!!, you get the auto parts counter phenomenon. Little buckets of plastic and cast metal stuff that can be screwed or clamped on something non-essential. This of course is because the modern parts store has mostly fluids, rags and gewgaws rather than parts since newer cars are sealed units that can only be diddled with by 'trained' personnel.

As for Pertronix, I would say that this is the big end/small end egg controversy. Or the difference between a snack and a meal. Pertronix is a snack, a new cam is a big meal.
Personally, I like the Pertronix. The car ran better immediately upon install. Later I will come back for a real meal and get the DUI.

But for now, I have to get back to my plastic 1000 piece complete Battle of Waterloo array for only $4.99.

 

[johnnyzoom]

Not to beat an analogy to death, but how about those old "Charles Atlas" mail order bodybuilding courses, next to the sea monkeys and x-ray spex? Is your ignition tired of getting sand kicked in the face at the beach?!

 

[ludwig]

Personally, I never wanted the physique, but I sure did want that 1930's Brylcreme hairdo.

I'm a Bullwhacker power bar guy myself.

 

[Anonymous]

Cheapest bang for the buck would have to be shave the intake log flat & direct mount a Holley 350 cfm 2 Bbl on it.

It'll gain you more HP than anything else and I've done them all!

Later,

Doug

 

[ludwig]

Word.