Yes, I agree. It is the people who feel that they have the right to make a negative assessment on what someone else has already chosen to do that is off-putting and mean spirited. Many times these are simply undue criticisms because the person making the negative comment would have done something different. That is why my comment was intended to apply to unduly negative comments.
Best Performance Modifications [200ci 3.3L I6]
- Thread starter wakeupsontae
- Start date
I've added the following to my '78 200 with a '77 250 head:
1. VI dual output headers
2. 2.25 exhaust with turbo muffler
3. Weber 38 carb with adapter/spacer for the large log head
4. HEI distributor
The car ran when I bought it in December but wasn't roadworthy due to the PO's fitment of mismatched parts, so I haven't had it on the road yet. I want to determine whether or not I like the car enough to do anything else to it (put more money into it that I may never see again) before moving forward.
I've done a lot of other things to it such as replacing the fuel lines, tank, brakes, etc. etc., but those things won't have a horsepower impact. My plan is to dyno the car once it's back on the road to assess the impact of the changes over the base 85 hp. Then I'll consider milling the head and other options. I consider what I've done so far as "the basics".
1. VI dual output headers
2. 2.25 exhaust with turbo muffler
3. Weber 38 carb with adapter/spacer for the large log head
4. HEI distributor
The car ran when I bought it in December but wasn't roadworthy due to the PO's fitment of mismatched parts, so I haven't had it on the road yet. I want to determine whether or not I like the car enough to do anything else to it (put more money into it that I may never see again) before moving forward.
I've done a lot of other things to it such as replacing the fuel lines, tank, brakes, etc. etc., but those things won't have a horsepower impact. My plan is to dyno the car once it's back on the road to assess the impact of the changes over the base 85 hp. Then I'll consider milling the head and other options. I consider what I've done so far as "the basics".
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I got 'cha man. It's all good. . For me this forum has been extremely valuable. Coming to Ford after a lifetime of GM and Mopar, my ignorance of the specifics that apply to these engines was way beyond what I thought.
This forum is THE BEST. There is nothing but well intended and awesome contributors. I wish all forums were like this.
THE best prts (Y I come back) is there isa min of 'snippiness', put downs, badgering, "I know more'n U", etc. Referrals to Tech Archive, the Handbook, etc have added the right spices to THIS stew (amha hobby chief & write - prose [minimum poetry] and essays). 8^ 0
Keep em comin, guys (seen 2, 3 women in my 15 yrs here).
Keep em comin, guys (seen 2, 3 women in my 15 yrs here).
Wayne clark
Well-known member
I would to give an example for what Frank posted . In 2018/2019 right before I aquired my 67 Mustang I finished a eng & trans install in my 97 F150.
I installed a 99 Navigator 5.4 DOHC & a 2014 F150 6R80 trans in my 97 . The install was a pain to say the least . Had to purchase a computer & eng & trans wireing harness fron a vendor . In about 6 months I had it in & running . I called the vendor who supplied the Ecm & wireing harness about some problem I had ( looking for a tuner) he said they had never had anyone do a swap like that who had gotten it running in that short of a time .
I'm not patting my self on the back ,it was a lot of work . Now when I say running I mean the ecm comes with a base program that will get it running but like really crappy. Unless you have a lot of tuning skill( I don't ) a lap top & you purchase or lease a tuning program you can't do squat to make something like this run .
Unless you can find somebody who can & will do the tuneing all you have is a nothing . Now My 67 with the 200 about all I need is a few hand tools & if it will run I can make it do so . The auto trans I can't fix . My fix for them as a teenager was a straight shift .
I'm not trying to knock anybody's mechanical ability's ,all I'M saying is if you have a Ford with a six( or a v8) these things are about as simple as it gets . Get a repair manual & start buying a few tools & get at it . Don't be wasteing your money paying somebody to do everything to your car . Use the money for new mag wheels ,Snipers,headers & everything else you want for as my wife calls mine" THAT HUNK OF JUNK ".
we have some of the same problems. Turbo an efi v carb. It almost seems like the same paradime shift 40 yrs ago w/the up grade to tbi. We need a specalist to 'wire' it. Specalized ecm. I kinda like the 'blow thru'.
Right now we gotta guy in the shop to get 3 cars goin - a '72 celica w/later tacoma 2.7; a starlette (our 'drag car') w/same motor; and a nother (3rd 4 cyl) a '90 Tracker (oem engine). It's over the top. No wonder the trades are goin to 'sectional specalists' (1 guy on breaks, nother in ac, fuel, collant, etc). It all seems too complicated. Whats a techie, never mind an owner/driver ta do? I no this is not the 'performance alley' forum, so i'll step back but sometimes (as a old guy) it gets 2 B too much. I dont even wanna no the "new' (any more)~
aahahahaa
Love ya bro, keep goin !
Right now we gotta guy in the shop to get 3 cars goin - a '72 celica w/later tacoma 2.7; a starlette (our 'drag car') w/same motor; and a nother (3rd 4 cyl) a '90 Tracker (oem engine). It's over the top. No wonder the trades are goin to 'sectional specalists' (1 guy on breaks, nother in ac, fuel, collant, etc). It all seems too complicated. Whats a techie, never mind an owner/driver ta do? I no this is not the 'performance alley' forum, so i'll step back but sometimes (as a old guy) it gets 2 B too much. I dont even wanna no the "new' (any more)~
aahahahaa
Love ya bro, keep goin !
Wayne clark
Well-known member
I know this post is a little old but after I ran across it this morning & started reading it again I came on my post about the 6 not running like a v8 after spending all that money on it . Well I had to reassure any one who might be planning on going down that money hole . Yes it can run like a v8 with the parts it needs on it . Put a Paxton on my stock ( well for the most part) 200 & man what a difference . I suspect a blow thru turbo would be much better power wise but fo me I'm happy h
The engine does not care how much money you spend on it. It only cares if the things you do to it increases the volumetric and mechanical efficiency of it. Shiny parts, big names do nothing. Catch word parts, roller this and roller that do little to make power for it.
Well said- as the truckers used to say, "chrome don't bring it home".
