My first stang!

Zeal69 · Oct 31, 2019

So here is my dilemma, I never owned one but I just bought a 1986 Mustang 5.0 lx convertible as a project for me and my 9 years old son. I would like to do some upgrades, motor wise but don't know where to start. Should I start with a general tune-up? oil, plugs, wires, cold air intake. ideally would like it to roar a little deeper, would that be headers and if so what would be a good choice?

LILCBRA · Nov 1, 2019

Welcome to Stangnet!
General tune-ups never hurt. But to just change the tone or volume level of the exhaust you could start with just the mufflers. There are a million and one choices out there. If you want to get more in depth you could go with a full exhaust which, again, there are a bunch of choices. How deep do you want to dig into the engine and how deep is your wallet? And how much mechanical experience do you have? That will also dictate how much you'll want to dive into it.

Olivethefet · Nov 1, 2019

Basic tune up sounds like a great place to start. Mufflers as suggested would be a good way to change the sound without costing a lot of money. You said this is a project. What are your plans? What kind of condition is the car in? Drive the car a little bit and it will decide for you what you are going to work on next.

General karthief · Nov 1, 2019

LILCBRA · Nov 1, 2019

An example of just a muffler change, my 87 GT convertible with Summit brand chambered mufflers. It is completely stock all the way through the tail pipes.

View: https://youtu.be/CWW_8jHMlYo

Habu135 · Nov 1, 2019

Zeal69 said:
So here is my dilemma, I never owned one but I just bought a 1986 Mustang 5.0 lx convertible as a project for me and my 9 years old son. I would like to do some upgrades, motor wise but don't know where to start. Should I start with a general tune-up? oil, plugs, wires, cold air intake. ideally would like it to roar a little deeper, would that be headers and if so what would be a good choice?

Lots of really good information on this site and a lot of good guys who are happy to help.

2Blue2 · Nov 1, 2019

Zeal69 said:
I just bought a 1986 Mustang 5.0 lx convertible

Yes! Score, Your First Stang!
hopefully that 35 yr old car don't give you too many problems.

Mustang5L5 · Nov 1, 2019

Need pictures

Steel1 · Nov 1, 2019

Don't stop at just the oil, dump all the fluids and change them , you never know when they were last done also replace the fuel filter.
Congrats on the Mustang !

Habu135 · Nov 1, 2019

LILCBRA said:
An example of just a muffler change, my 87 GT convertible with Summit brand chambered mufflers. It is completely stock all the way through the tail pipes.

View: https://youtu.be/CWW_8jHMlYo

Those cheese graters are so bad they're good. Keep 'em.

LILCBRA · Nov 1, 2019

Habu135 said:
Those cheese graters are so bad they're good. Keep 'em.

I've already bought replacements.

Gs1987GT · Nov 1, 2019

Congrats and pictures please!

Gs1987GT · Nov 1, 2019

LILCBRA said:
I've already bought replacements.

Agree 100% one of the first things I'll be doing come spring! I prefer the 85-86 tail lights and will be on the lookout for a nice pair

Zeal69 · Nov 1, 2019

Zeal69 said:
So here is my dilemma, I never owned one but I just bought a 1986 Mustang 5.0 lx convertible as a project for me and my 9 years old son. I would like to do some upgrades, motor wise but don't know where to start. Should I start with a general tune-up? oil, plugs, wires, cold air intake. ideally would like it to roar a little deeper, would that be headers and if so what would be a good choice?

Zeal69 · Nov 1, 2019

update, here is a pic. today I decided to pull apart the upper intake manifold and broke a bolt, but I will assume that it's an easy drill out. My question is that I can not get the top plate screws out to get to the final two bolts as they are stripped. should I drill those out as well? Anyone in Worcester,MA?lol

General karthief · Nov 1, 2019

You can drill them or get a reverse bit and it may come out.

Gs1987GT · Nov 2, 2019

Looks nice man! Congrats! I had an 83 convertible that color. I like it! The old 10 hole wheels...ahhhhhh the memories....

General karthief · Nov 2, 2019

I can't remember back that far
Some days on purpose

Potomus Pete · Nov 2, 2019

From now on go easy taking bolts out . We should of warned you , they like to break.....I grew up in Northborough .

Rdub6 · Nov 2, 2019

Nice looking car!! Looking forward to seeing you’re progress.

I try to not do things on a whim. I’ve learned (the hard way) to try and plan my attacks, and make sure I PB blast the nuts and bolts for a day or so before I go after them.

My first stang!

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I wish I didn't have all of these balls in the air

I will own your nuts! LOL

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair

I wish I didn't have all of these balls in the air

will be trying this sex one when I can find it

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

Mustang Master

I wish I didn't have all of these balls in the air

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wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair

Active Member

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair

I'm still waiting for the fully nude shots

So while I wait to figure out my rear end issues

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