what cheap perf. ups can i do w/o touching block/head/etc..?

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

Anonymous

Guest
Here's my predicament:
I'm 17 years old and my first car happens to be a 200ci '66 Mustang. The only thing is, I can't stand the lack of power. I also have a fresh, re-manufactured motor that A.) I don't want to hurt or tear apart and B.) I don't want to do anything to void the 3 yr. unlimited mileage warranty (or else my dad will kill me).
What I am really looking for is a few cheap upgrades that, if possible, produce a noticeable difference. I'm open for any suggestion, but I would kinda like to get some prices too. (Sorry if I sound like I don't have a clue, I just don't know what is out there.)
Thanks to any suggestions. :D
 
1) New coil, plugs and wires
2) Bump the timing (Free)
3) Bolt on a larger 1bbl carb ($35 and up for a used carb)
4) Electric Fan ($100 - $200)
5) Electronic ignition (Pertronix or Duraspark) ($100 - $150)
6) Get rid of the traverse muffler (~$75)

Al
 
You probably want to stay away from the header and 2-bbl while the motor is under warranty. Those are obvious add-ons and could cause trouble if the motor needs work under said warranty. One thing you could do though is to replace the exhaust manifold with one from a 250. It looks completely stock, but is larger and will flow more. The outlet from the manifold is larger, so you'd need a small mod to the head pipe to make it work.

A used manifold can be had for $25-$50. Perhaps when you need a new exhaust, the catalogs show the complete 6-cyl exhaust to be around $180 or so. Instead, you pick up a $20-$40 generic V8 muffler (get the right muffler for a V8 dual out system), a $30 V8 tail pipe (again, the right side of a dual out system), and have a new head pipe installed. You can walk away with a much better, free-flowing exhaust system that looks completely stock, for less than the cost of a restrictive, replacement 6-cyl system.

Al
 
Check the conditions of your warranty. Most of the time exhaust systems are excluded and will nto void the warranty. I'm not sure if the Magnuson-Moss Act applies in this case, but if it did, then if the engine failed, the company would have to prove the new exhaust system caused it (if they were going to try to fight it). But, I think the MM act only applies to new car warranties, so you'll need to read the fine print.

Definitely upgrade the ignition though. Pertronix and DS2 upgrades are both very nice upgrades to the ignition.

Slade
 
For instant-kick-in-the-pants improvement, go to lower gearing. Cheapest way to go lower gearing: install a set of 185/70R-14 tires. You'll accelerate faster, and the speedo will read high by 5-6%, making you think you're going faster. 8)
 
Oh, and get your Dad on side. Show him the site if need be. Not much more fun than a father-son conspiracy. :wink:
 
Bigred had the only idea that will yield results you will notice from the drivers seat without the chance of voiding warranties.

To get any substantial gains you need to do some serious mods to the head or swap to an Aussie head. The U.S. log heads just don't flow enough to take advantage of bigger carbs and headers. Ignition upgrades are a good idea but the biggest gains will not be in power as much as an improvement in gas mileage and easier starting.
 
just get a pretty girlfriend...who cares how fast you are going then...

(post pix)

:)

:lol:
 
i hear ya addo. im in a predicament with my pops too. hoping to convince him to redo the six. wish me luck
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top