1968 Mustang Coupe - Carb/intake/exhasut/headers upgrades

Walker410 · Aug 12, 2021

Hi Guys,

I recently purchased a stock 1968 Mustang C-code 289 v8, ( C4 auto)stateside and it is en route to me at present.

In anticipation I've found a classic mustang specialist and advised them of the work I would like to be carried out.

So far I have purchased:-

Flowmaster American Thunder exhaust
Holley long competition headers
Petronix iginition and coil
Edelbrock performer intake
Edelbrock AVS2 500cfm carb

I have plans to keep building the engine and purchasing some good aluminum heads and a matched camshaft.

With this in mind should I be looking to swap put the performer intake with the performer RPM? And the 500cfm carb with a say, 600fm carb?

I'm leaning more towards the 500cfm being enough, but switching to the RPM intake as the standard performer is basically the stock part.

Thanks,

Phil

wicked93gs · Aug 12, 2021

Honestly, if you are going the standard bolt-on route...companies like Edelbrock sell pre-matched kits including heads, carb, and intake that are designed to work together, buying the whole package together will give you what you are looking for without having any guesswork in mixing and matching. The nice thing about that type of kit is that you have dyno sheets that show you exactly what you can expect.

Walker410 · Aug 12, 2021

Thanks wicked93gs, yeah I saw those kits after investing in all those parts! I’ll likely purchase the cam, heads and other pieces down the line

Olivethefet · Aug 12, 2021

Not really the question that you asked, but I would suggest leaving the motor alone and investing in upgrading the brakes and suspension before doing anything to the motor. It's not much fun to dream about brakes and bushings, but getting the car to stop and handle well is a far better route to go first. Unless the car already has the stopping and handling work done. In that case do what wicked93 suggested.

If you can hold out and buy a full kit you'll be better off. One trip to the shop for the work for starters. Also, if you change only one or two items at a time they are not going to perform well with the other parts. Not to say the car wont run, but a big carb on a restricted intake and the wrong heads just means your going to be wasting gas and probably lose performance not gain.

Unless you just got to have them you might want to really think about those long tubes before buying them. Your not going to gain much from them and they will just make it harder to work on the car down the road. There are lots of good options in shorties and mid length headers.

Good luck with the car! and post pictures when it arrives!

Walker410 · Aug 12, 2021

Olivethefet said:
Not really the question that you asked, but I would suggest leaving the motor alone and investing in upgrading the brakes and suspension before doing anything to the motor. It's not much fun to dream about brakes and bushings, but getting the car to stop and handle well is a far better route to go first. Unless the car already has the stopping and handling work done. In that case do what wicked93 suggested.

If you can hold out and buy a full kit you'll be better off. One trip to the shop for the work for starters. Also, if you change only one or two items at a time they are not going to perform well with the other parts. Not to say the car wont run, but a big carb on a restricted intake and the wrong heads just means your going to be wasting gas and probably lose performance not gain.

Unless you just got to have them you might want to really think about those long tubes before buying them. Your not going to gain much from them and they will just make it harder to work on the car down the road. There are lots of good options in shorties and mid length headers.

Good luck with the car! and post pictures when it arrives!

Thanks man, I have a front disc brake conversion kit to go on as well but I haven’t invested in upgraded suspension yet. After suspension, would you go for gears or headers and cam or all at the same time? Thanks

Olivethefet · Aug 12, 2021

Gears will give the car the most more "power" feel with the least investment. Most people suggest that as one of the first upgrades. Keep in mind that what I'm offering is just advice and MY opinion. If you are new to all of this I would encourage you to dig through build threads on this site and form your own opinions. I'm no master car builder. I know enough to get by and be dangerous! LOL This is a great site with lots of good people. If it appears you are trying to do your own homework and ask questions the people here will help you out.

Walker410 · Aug 12, 2021

Olivethefet said:
Gears will give the car the most more "power" feel with the least investment. Most people suggest that as one of the first upgrades. Keep in mind that what I'm offering is just advice and MY opinion. If you are new to all of this I would encourage you to dig through build threads on this site and form your own opinions. I'm no master car builder. I know enough to get by and be dangerous! LOL This is a great site with lots of good people. If it appears you are trying to do your own homework and ask questions the people here will help you out.

Much appreciated, thank you

Husky44 · Aug 12, 2021

A few preliminary questions that need to be clarified:

-what is your planned use for the car? Daily driver? Weekend cruiser? Track car (if so, what kind)?
-what is your budget?
-what is your ability to do your own work?

Generally good advice above. Everyone wants to start with modding for more power, but if you can't keep that power pointed 8n the right direction, and under control, you're wasting your money.

You can buiid an amazing handling car fairly inexpensively by upgrading your stock suspension with roller perches, adjustable strut rods, roller bearings for your upper and lower control arms, and good springs and shocks. Check out OpenTracker and StreetorTrack. Both companies sell quality stuff to get the most out of your existing suspension design, and are run by great guys who run what they sell, and won't sell you something you don't need.

They can help you in the brake upgrade area as well.

For the motor, ditto what was said above. If you've already bought some Edelbrock stuff, figure out what else you need to replicate one of their proven kits. Don't just buy random parts, plan your build and put together a system that will work well together. It will be cheaper, more reliable, and better performing in the long run.

I'd also suggest you wait on buying anything else until you have had a chance, to inspect and drive the car, so you know what needs to be upgraded.

Walker410 · Aug 13, 2021

Thanks Husky44 for the advice.

The car will be used for a street/cruiser and only on weekends/the odd evening. I don’t plan on doing any long journeys in it. I would like a good amount of low end power.

My ability to work on the car is limited, i’ve restored a few classic bikes before but no cars. My budget will be healthy, but I don’t want to throw so much at the car that i’ll never see it back.

I’m still torn between keeping it as stock as possible and not. At least visually i’d like to keep it looking pretty original.

I’d like to aim for 250-275BHP.

I’m hoping that the parts I have so far may bump it up to say 200 by today standards? And maybe heads and cam in future would bump it up closer to 240-250?

I’ll attach a couple of photos below.

Ranger · Aug 14, 2021

I might think about a new radiator ...
a good thought might be to just own and enjoy your "new" car for a time and just get a feel of owning and driving (and maintaining) a classic
I echo the suspension and brake advice, but the most important advice is to take your time and think about the many, many options
available ...
and that is a very nice '68 indeed ... enjoy it as is - proudly!

7991LXnSHO · Aug 14, 2021

If you maintain a car right, getting all your money back is not something to think about. It is an expense and you are the caretaker of a classic. The value of the cars is going up, but not like if you put the money into a low fee mutual fund.

Walker410 · Aug 14, 2021

Ranger said:
I might think about a new radiator ...
a good thought might be to just own and enjoy your "new" car for a time and just get a feel of owning and driving (and maintaining) a classic
I echo the suspension and brake advice, but the most important advice is to take your time and think about the many, many options
available ...
and that is a very nice '68 indeed ... enjoy it as is - proudly!

Thanks Ranger! Yes, I agree- it’s easy to get excited and ahead of myself. I’ll take my time give it some careful consideration.

Walker410 · Aug 14, 2021

7991LXnSHO said:
If you maintain a car right, getting all your money back is not something to think about. It is an expense and you are the caretaker of a classic. The value of the cars is going up, but not like if you put the money into a low fee mutual fund.

Yeah, I didn’t put that right - I’ve bought the car to enjoy and develop! Not as an investment. Appreciate the advice 7991LXnSHO

chrlsful · Aug 14, 2021

i'm into the 'incremental approach'. But I use as daily too (no 'out of commission', 'big build' effort. But U have the cash 4 this style of build it looks as well). Start pretty low on the scale & $ range; if not happy "go higher".
1st is ID all prts (who knows in 50 yrs of OPs), then ID their capacitcy. Research what would be potential upgrade/with how much effect achieved. Know just what U wanna achieve (?St/cruizer? needs no up grades?). Just likea bike it's a system...change 1 thing 1 place - it effects all the others (Y the kit suggestions above, I take another route, but possibly more on that later).
So I might just "turn up' the advance 2 - 4* above spec. Try that, notice seat of the pants change. Not happy, keep goin. Rockers would B w a y B4 the cam changes U mention...
Let us no how U do as it's hard off shore to negotiate these things (I know frm 50/60s Alfas, Fiats etc in the 70s/80 & my builds).

1968 Mustang Coupe - Carb/intake/exhasut/headers upgrades

Walker410

New Member

wicked93gs

Walker410

New Member

Olivethefet

I will own your nuts! LOL

Walker410

New Member

Olivethefet

I will own your nuts! LOL

Walker410

New Member

Husky44

Walker410

New Member

Attachments

Ranger

7991LXnSHO

wanna catch the space herp

Walker410

New Member

Walker410

New Member

chrlsful

Active Member

Similar threads

1968 Mustang Coupe - Carb/intake/exhasut/headers upgrades

New Member

New Member

I will own your nuts! LOL

New Member

I will own your nuts! LOL

New Member

New Member

Attachments

wanna catch the space herp

New Member

New Member

Active Member

Similar threads

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency