Mods That Wont Hurt MPG?

[onefstsnake]

Well I purchased a 1993 Notchback 5.0 a week ago.

It will be my DD so I cant go too crazy with it. I drive 7 days a week, and attend college full time.

What are some good performance mods that wont dramaticly hurt my fuel mileage?
Is it even possible?

Been looking at a CAI. Fender or Under Hood? Fender wouldnt seem to pull as much hot air but what about water and the extra 90* bend?

The Car had pulleys and 3.73 gears.

Thanks

 

[srothfuss]

Mods:

Heads
Intake
Larger MAF
Electric Fan
Less weight


You probably won't want to go changing the cam because that will make your car less MPG friendly.

 

[HISSIN50]

I would (and have) put a free-flowing panel filter in the stock air box.

Mods and not losing economy dont really go hand in hand.

Good luck.

 

[timewarped1972]

best fuel economy mod= install a bolt under the gas pedal to keep it from going down more than 1/3rd of the way....

 

[srothfuss]

best fuel economy mod= install a bolt under the gas pedal to keep it from going down more than 1/3rd of the way....

As long as you he doesn't change the amount of fuel "dumped" into the cylinders, then it shouldn't effect his MPG. He'll also have to take into account the fact that the motor will make more power so it won't have to work as hard to move his Mustang down the road which will also help.

However, if he can't keep his foot out of the gas pedal then he will really have MPG issues. And probably need a new set of tires every year.

 

[diablostang]

Go to 3.08 gears, reduce weight = better gas mileage.

 

[Mark89coupe]

Look at my sig. All these mods and i got 23 mpg at 80mph from FLorida to NY.

 

[vristang]

Well I purchased a 1993 Notchback 5.0 a week ago.

It will be my DD so I cant go too crazy with it. I drive 7 days a week, and attend college full time.

The Car had pulleys and 3.73 gears.

Thanks

It is possible to gain power while improving mpg.

I think the first place to start is an e- fan. Less drag on the motor should result in more power and economy.

As mentioned, use the throttle gently. A vac gauge can help with this.
Make sure to keep up on all of the tune up stuff. Tire pressure is a big one.

 

[onefstsnake]

As mentioned, use the throttle gently. A vac gauge can help with this.

how?

Also, whats a good brand for CAI's? Not really looking for a "bling" Factor.

Just something that works/fits well.

 

[Black 93 Fox]

I have the mac CAI works great looks nice and decent price I like the fenderweld ones better cause they are taking in colder air instead of sucking air in from inside the engine bay.

how?

Also, whats a good brand for CAI's? Not really looking for a "bling" Factor.

Just something that works/fits well.

 

[onefstsnake]

fender well seems decent. But my big debate is.

Fender vs Standard
-Extra 90* bend
-Possible Water Splash...
-More $$

 

[Black 93 Fox]

Water can not get to it aslong as your fenderweld liners are in thoes block that area off from water and what not. Only money difference between the fenderweld and the straight shot is like 20bucks I would get the fenderweld one.

fender well seems decent. But my big debate is.

Fender vs Standard
-Extra 90* bend
-Possible Water Splash...
-More $$

 

[willys1]

355's for 5spd's
373's for aod's
get a power pipe instead of a cai(cleaner looking and actually adds HP)
Im not a big fan of pullies
definitly electric fan
Aluminum drive shaft for when you get gears
catback exhaust
65mm TB 75-80 maf
hotter ignition system
3g altenater
FP reg
advance timing to 14 degrees

 

[Michael Yount]

1) Subframe connectors, 2) long tubes (preferably 1.5" primaries), 3) high-flow or no cats, 4) remove silencer from the fender, 5) K&N flat panel in the stock box, 6) bump the timing to 14 btdc, 7) have tmoss port your stock lower, 8) 3.55 or 3.73 gears

Those changes will noticeably improve performance and likely will improve gas mileage at least around town; highway mileage won't be significantly worse if you simply slow down your cruising speed by 5 mph or so. Drivability will be as good or better than stock. If you can afford it -- throw a quality set of aluminum heads on the car -- nice power jolt, won't hurt mileage, knocks 50 lbs. of weight off.

Pulleys may negatively affect other things (cooling, a-c, charging) and with the stock alternator you can't handle an electric fan. I wouldn't bother with either -- and would only consider the electric fan if your stock clutch takes a crap.

 

[HISSIN50]

how?

By showing you how far your foot is going into the loud pedal. Manifold vac is inversely proportionate (crudely stated) to how far open you have the throttle planted open. Keeping the vac reading high means your foot is not going deep into the gas pedal.

 

[Michael Yount]

By the way -- with a mostly stock motor - the 'cold air' intake you're contemplating won't do a thing to help performance -- although it is a 'mod'. The stock box is a perfectly good CAI. Lots of articles on this --- don't waste your money unless you just want to make the cosmetic change.

 

[onefstsnake]

1) Subframe connectors

1) how hard is it to install bolt on subframe connectors? (i cant weld.)


Also, my stock oil pressure guage reads 2 lines above Low...
But doesnt really move much between Idle and WOT runs... Bad Guage?

Are Ford guages reliable after 100K?

 

[Black 93 Fox]

Ford gauges pretty much suck ass espicaly the tachs people have put in auto meters and I have heard the auto meters showing a 200rpm or more difference from the stock tach.

1) how hard is it to install bolt on subframe connectors? (i cant weld.)


Also, my stock oil pressure guage reads 2 lines above Low...
But doesnt really move much between Idle and WOT runs... Bad Guage?

Are Ford guages reliable after 100K?

 

[-=Red5.0GT=-]

bolt them up then take your car over to an exhaust shop and have them weld it for you

 

[onefstsnake]

So even the bolt on Subframe connectors should be welded?

Also, my front springs were cut when I bought the car and the car bounces like...yea.

Should I replace them with stock springs or aftermarket?
I want the car to sit a little lower in the front, but not so much that the tires rub the fender when turning.


Thanks for all the help guys... I feel like a Noob.