What would be the best idea for horsepower gain for a 2.3l 4 cylinder 89 mustang. Just wondering what’s the best bang for the money. Anything at all would be appreciated.
Welcome to stangnet, now you have asked one of the most, ahhh, lets see, how do I put this.
Let me put it this way:
How fast can you afford to go?
Now don't get the wrong impression, that is a very true stantment. Also do you:
Have a place to work on it
Have the knowledge or the will to learn
Here is my advice.
Buy a nice daily driver to get you back and forth to school/work, take auto shop classes (do they still offer that?) plan a build for this car based on what you want to do with it.
That's what I would do at your age knowing what I know now.
Buy a clapped out 89 gt... transfer the rear, front spindles and brakes, engine, engine wiring harness, computer, and k member.
There is no " cheap " . If your 4 cylinder is 5 speed you could get away with just a complete gt engine and a 89 gt engine harness and computer with an early diesel ranger ( 84 ) pilot bearing. Part number is mogul s202. Your suspension will be taxed and your brakes will be inadequate. The rear 7.5 may hold up for a little while...the car will drive. It used to be easier and cheaper to swap to carbereted but those days are gone.
The cheapest way is to buy a complete 89 parts car.