advice on 88 GT

[sgarlic]

Hi guys.. I've asked several questions here before.. I post mainly on the 4.6 side.. I have an '88 GT I have been trying to sell for a couple months now, and with no luck, I've decided to just keep the car. Basically, I'm looking for some help on what order I should start doing things. It's basically stock except for 3g, DCC w/ taurus fan, & a/c elim kit.

The major things on the car wrong are:

- Blinkers not working (think its the switch but haven't replaced yet)
- Horn not working (previous owner disconnected it and REMOVED the actual horn)
- Power steering leaking from the cooler lines
- Rear main seal leaking

- Stock manifolds->mid-pipe->previous owner removed the mufflers and welded in straight pipes. I want to replace the mid-pipe and cat-back.. I've done this on my '04 but never touched a fox body exhaust system.. is it pretty straight forward stuff? The car literally has very little torque. It has stock gearing (automatic) and 14" tires, and will not break the tires loose off the line. It doesn't hesitate, miss, or have any pinging, etc.

- K&N open intake that sits in the engine compartment (i.e. not fenderwell type, not enclosed) .. sucking in tons of hot air.. I want to either just get a mac cold air kit for it.. are these ok? I don't have mass air, and I'm not expecting a huge gain or anything, I just want something that isn't going to suck hot air in.

I just changed plugs/wires/cap/rotor today.. the plugs all looked perfect.. haven't changed the fuel filter yet or PCV though. I also cleaned the IAC and my car idles at about 1200rpm now after I drive it then come to a stop.

Next weekend I'm going to take off the upper intake and clean the injectors and everything down there. The car has about 130k on it, supposedly it was rebuilt at 100k, but I saw no paperwork from the previous owner to prove it.

Basically, what should my priorities be? I know the main seal probably but it's only leaking a little bit so I really don't care about that. My only codes are related to the smog pump not working right (which I plan to eliminate soon anyway.)

 

[90_Red_LX]

Exhaust is a lot like your 04 as far as general layout, but it's going to be a lot more of a PITA due to the age and mileage on the car. Elbow grease and some WD40 or something to help break bolts loose will be required. Once there loose it's not too bad, but the tube that runs to the smog pump may need to be cut off. Now would be the time to eliminate the pump. Other than that, it shouldn't be too bad, I'd do headers too while I'm down there if your going to mod it more in the future.

Personally I would get the blinkers working, the horn too if you consider it something you need, and get them horrid straight pipes off. After that, I'd probably order a CAI, they should be fine.

 

[HISSIN50]

after cleaning the IAC, you should disconnect the battery to clear the KAM. now that it is clean, for a given duty cycle it will flow more air. also make sure you dont have a vac leak with the PCV work you did (some aftermarket valves dont fit too hot in the grommets).

i remember your blinker threads. i dont know of anything else to suggest.

are the clamps tight at the PS cooler?

some sort of CAI is a great idea.

good luck with it.