kid in need of advice

[Debob5091]

Hey, I have myself a 66, 289 and I'm in search of a little more bang. I know this is a common question but I was wondering what would be the best way of doing this. I was looking into maybe a carb upgrade and and some headers. I noticed most people seem to be going into the 600 cfm range with their carb but I could use some ideas on what else I should be looking for. I would also like to know what I should search for in headers.

 

[65fastback2+2]

Hey, I have myself a 66, 289 and I'm in search of a little more bang. I know this is a common question but I was wondering what would be the best way of doing this. I was looking into maybe a carb upgrade and and some headers. I noticed most people seem to be going into the 600 cfm range with their carb but I could use some ideas on what else I should be looking for. I would also like to know what I should search for in headers.

drive it like it is for awhile THEN upgrade. Driving a slower car has saved my butt with my current faster one.

 

[restomod22]

I would start with the carb, intake and cam (you can buy performance packages that have all this included--Edelbrock, etc.). You could do this over the weekend. Then when you get a little more money add a nice ignition/distributor, exhaust and headers....I have Hooker long tubes and have no complaints on performance or sound (clearance is tight on my 65, but it works). Then once you really want to drop some coin, buy nice heads........well, really it's endless.....

Good luck with the project!!

 

[charlies]

here's my .02

most immediate bang for the buck on a basically stock set up...new fin or wing

seriously, put em in, and you notice a nice difference the second you start it back up: rear gears. nothing an old car likes better than to get up into the rpm's a little. throw in a shift kit and you'll be catching a good 2nd and luvin life.

now that you've got a little respect going, open up the exhaust with maybe some 2 inchers, maybe more, all the way back. finally hit the intake system. don't be cheap here...get the heads too.

 

[mfp4073]

here's my .02

most immediate bang for the buck on a basically stock set up...new fin or wing

seriously, put em in, and you notice a nice difference the second you start it back up: rear gears. nothing an old car likes better than to get up into the rpm's a little. throw in a shift kit and you'll be catching a good 2nd and luvin life.

now that you've got a little respect going, open up the exhaust with maybe some 2 inchers, maybe more, all the way back. finally hit the intake system. don't be cheap here...get the heads too.

Seriously, these cars often came with 2.8(something) or 3.00 gears. Upping it to a 3.25 will give you more "seat of the pants" increase than anything else. A good tuneup will do wonders too. Wires, plugs, cap, rotor, points. And while you are at it look into getting rid of the points ignition system. Pertronix makes a unit that goes in under the distributor cap for like $55.

Welcome aboard...just know...there will always be more and you will never be done!!!!

 

[6Stang7]

Like others have said, gears are the best bang for the buck. If you plan on doing engine mods, then get the gears to mtach the mods, not your current set up. My motor can do high rpm running (or at least that is what I do with it ) and with the 5 speed, I can run a nice gear set like 4.11 without a problem. If you are going to say with a non OD tranny, then stay lower then 3.50 unless you really don't care about mpg.