beefing up a 200ci engine

  • Thread starter Thread starter Anonymous
  • Start date Start date
A

Anonymous

Guest
i have a 66 mustang. it has the original inline 6 in it. i am in the middle of a full restoration and i was wondering if anyone had any suggestions on how to beef up the original 6 cylinder. without supercharging or tubo. any suggestions will be appreciated.
 
Bort, be kind to the new guy :wink:

Yes, 66, we have a lot of suggestions. However, they have all been covered at length in this forum over the past several years. So, on behalf of everyone here I'm going to request that you spend a few hours browsing around here looking at how others have answered this same question, and then come back with more specific questions.

I will at this point also tell you to order the Falcon Performance Handbook, which you will find for sale somewhere on this site, and read it cover to cover.

You will find that there is a considerable amount of performance to be had from your six for a reasonable amount of money, as long as you come up with a sound plan before you start.
 
This is a question I hear everyday, sometimes several times a day, over the phone and by e-mail. For us old timers it can get annoying, so bear with us if someone gives you a short answer, and ignor the rude replies. Unfortunately some don't remember they were at the same point, asking the same questions, at one point in time. :wink:

To answer such a vague question is very time consuming. As "falcon fanatic" suggested, do some research first then come back with specific questions on things you don't understand. Here's some places to start.

Search the forum. We have hundreds, if not thousands, of topics covering this subject.

Purchase the Falcon Six Performance Handbook.
http://classicinlines.com/proddetail.as ... D200%2DFSH

Read through the various tech articles on my website.
http://classicinlines.com/tech.asp

Read the Q&A section. Its not complete yet, but has a lot of the basic questions.
http://classicinlines.com/Q&A.asp

Look for member websites, as many have good info posted. Here's an example:
http://www.geocities.com/mustang_man_1966/index.html

You don't need a lot of money to do some modifications, but in general it will cost considerably more to build a performance six vrs a V8. Much depends on the modifications, and your experience level (how much you can do yourself).

The basics would include installing headers, an upgraded cam, a 2V conversion, and a better ignition system. Parts will run around $1000-1500 depending on your choice of parts and the options (ie: ceramic coated headers). Labor cost can vary greatly, depending on how much you can do yourself, or how much you spend to have it done by someone else. For example, one of our members built a turbocharged 250ci for $1500 total, while others have spent close to six grand or more for their motors.

Here's a good topic to read, as it will give you a good insight to our insanity. :wink:
http://fordsix.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=49538
 
Welcom to the board
Boy I hope Bort hasn't run the poor guy off.....
Its funny one day he'll give a newbe help and the next he'll shun him.... If you can't be of any help them don't post.......... :?
OK ENOUGH

HI 66
There are several things that can be of help.. follow what AZ suggestes.. one fairly cheap up grade it going to a Dura Spark II Dizzy.. You can find them in the yards .. any from a car with the 200 should work.. be sure to get all the wireing and module as well (makes it easer to hook up). Carb upgrade is also good, and header is good. Now the headers are not cheap as there is not a lot of demand for them so there about $300 to $400 (supply and demand). Also up grade to a newer head with the bigger log for a bigger carb. a 250 cu head well work it would just need milling to keep the compession up..
How much $$ do you want to spend of got to spend??
Tim
 
What, run him off? geesh... I don't see why my response in jest would have that effect :)

Besides, Nitrous IS a perfectly reasonable approach :)
 
You will find that there is a considerable amount of performance to be had from your six for a reasonable amount of money, as long as you come up with a sound plan before you start.

This is easy to say and hard to do if you are just starting out. Props to David and the Falcon Performance Handbook. It is definitely our bible. But sometimes you need a little catechism before you digest all the dogma. Plus, we are blessed (?) with a good portion of heretics and freethinkers. (Can you say Bort62? I know you can. I like the way you say that.)

The handbook goes very quickly to compression ratio. I had no idea why this was important when I was first starting out.

Maybe the book should have a 'quick start' guide like the newer washing machines and microwaves come with. It would say stuff like: first, make sure your brakes and suspension are in order before you start going faster. Next you want to get the fully stock engine running as well as it can by cleaning out the radiator and the oil supply. If you continue to drive the car, you will discover all the little quirks that make a 40 year old car so interesting (= irritating).

Once this is solid, upgrade your ignition to an electronic module, (in ascending order of expense) either Pertronix, Duraspark II or Mike's DUI. This is the most valuable aftermarket improvement you can add. From there, you might consider a carb swap to something that flows more air. Then move on to the exhaust side, adding headers (especially the ones Mike sells that are specially fitted to this motor) and a larger capacity exhaust pipe (2" is the usual recommendation) and free-flowing muffler. All this will make your car a reliable and fun daily driver.

It will take you a little time but not a whole lot of money if you are handy. After you have done all this and followed this forum for a couple months or so, you will discover the possibilities and begun to develop a pretty good idea of where you want to go with your improvements.

NOW comes the part about a plan and major question: "How fast do you want to go?" Considerations about new and/or re-machined heads, valves and cams come up. Mods to accept larger, 2 bbl carbs, tranny swaps, etc. etc. NOS if need be. Mike at the Ford Shops has so much fun stuff that you can spend the next half decade just improving the beast.

Meanwhile, you feed your dreams along with the rest of us here, all on our way to Mustang heaven.
 
OK, here's the heart of what I just did to my 200, with approximate costs:

Holley/Weber 5200 (Stovebolt) $85 (new, $65 reman)
2 into 1 Adapter (Stovebolt) $15
Electric Choke (Stovebolt-Optional) $10
DS II Distributor (Reman-Ebay) $39.99 + $14.50 S&H
GM HEI Module (Ebay) $19.20 + $1.30 S&H
Single out Chrome Header $269 + S&H
(Mustangs Unlimited)
2 1/4" Exhaust with turbo muffler $170
EMPI HW Air Cleaner (Ebay) $16.45 + $8.52 S&H
1966 Ford Shop Manual-CD (Ebay) $17.95 + $4.95 S&H
Miscellaneous hardware $10 ??
Total $681.86
OK Stovebolt & MU shipping
was at leat $40-$50, so call it $730 +
Delete the Chrome on header,
Electric Choke, & use Reman Carb: $680
 
posting a reply so I can easily find this topic. Excellent discussion, thanks to all of you. Does anyone know if there's a trick to "bookmarking" a discussion thread?
 
kuhlou,

I just created a folder in my bookmarks folder called "Good Threads." When I find one I want to come back to, I drag it there and re-name it something I'll remember.
 
Glad to see Bigredrasa's list. It looks very similar to what I have put together so far. Do you still have the stock gear ratio?

I'm going to be getting the rearend rebuilt soon and I'm wondering if I should take that opportunity to change the gears. I'm really focusing on low end torque. My car's a daily driver and I don't spend much time on the freeway, so I'm more interested in hopping off the stop light.
 
I'm keeping the stock rear until further notice. I want to be conscious of its fragility, so I don't put my foot into it. My goal is an effortless high speed cruiser, that's not affraid of mountains or passing.

You can always gain a quick improvement off the line by going to smaller diameter tires, preferably with a wider cross section. Unfortunately, the stock rims won't support anything wider than 185/70-14.
 
Back
Top