Newbie here. How to unlock some horsepower

Gears and an exhaust system first, then move on to a cam, heads, intake, etc.

not really HP, but throw in some gears and exhaust! that'll get ya movin SOTP like!

On a budget? do the junkyard upgrade...

Gears - 87-88 T-Bird Turbo Coupe rear axle - disc brakes and 3.55 or 3.73 gears in one package for $125-$300. Add another $100-$200 or so to complete the brake upgrade.

94-95 Mustang GT MAF - $40-$100. It is 70 MM instead of the stock 55 MM on regular stangs built prior to 94. It uses a slip on duct on the side that goes to the throttle body and a 4 bolt flange on the other. You need a $25-$35 flange adapter from Pro-M to fit the stock slip on air ducting that goes to the air box. Wiring plugs right in with no changes. *1

95-97 Ford Explorer intake manifold & throttle body $150-$300. The intake manifold flows 220 CFM +, much better than stock. Throttle body is 65 MM, bigger than the 60 MM on stock stangs. I got a 96 with EGR passages that match the stock setup, so my smog gear works just like factory. You’ll need a 65 MM EGR spacer & new gaskets for $65-$90 so you have a place to mount the EGR & throttle linkage.

3G alternator from 94-95 Mustangs or other Ford. $20-$120. A must have to make the electrical system work like it should. You’ll need a 4 gauge power wire and a 125-135 amp fuse to go with it about $15- $30.

Lincoln MK VIII electric fan -$40-$160. Free up some HP by not having to drive the stock fan. The 3G alternator upgrade is a must have prerequisite before you do the MK VIII fan. You won’t have enough electrical power if you don’t do the 3G upgrade.



*1.) I got a metal flange adapter from Powered by Ford for $35 and tax. That was over a year ago. Summit Racing may also have one too.

Powered By Ford
1516 South Division Avenue
Orlando, FL 32805
Hours 0800-1800
Phone 407-843-3673
http://www.poweredbyford.com/

Before you start modding I'd make sure the car is in good stock tune... when was the last time the fluids / filters / plugs / wires / cap & rotor/ pcv were replaced? These little things can have a huge impact on performance, mileage and driveability.

Then you might wanna start with free mods... yank the air intake silencer (probably a couple HP at best, but you might as well toss it). Advance your timing to 12-14*, whatever's the highest you can run on 87 octane without detonation.

A set of underdrive pulleys is really cheap ($50-100) and most people agree they give a good seat of the pants increase for what they cost. Like any 5.0 owner you'll probably want to get an aftermarket exhaust system, nevermind the power increase, it's worth it for the sound alone. Get a good catback and an H or X pipe... nevermind the headers at this point, they're not really worth it yet.

Gears would probably be a good next step after that. Personally I'm going to get full length welded in subframe connectors before I get lower gears, because I know I'll want to romp on it all the time. "Before you build a house, build a good foundation."

theanswer3 said:

I just recently was given a 93 5.0 LX. It is an AOD, and my first question is what are the typical mods I should do off the bat to unlock some horsepower.

Click to expand...

If your not on a huge budget...

Underdrive Pulleys
MSD Wires + Cap
Gears 3.55 or 3.73 (I went with 3.73)
70mm TB (BBK or whatever)
73mm MAF sensor (www.jdsperformance.com)
LONG tube headers (I like BBK's)
Catless H Pipe (If smog is not an issue)
Good cat back mufflers (Sound is up to you)
Aftermarket Intake Manifold (Plenty to choose from)
Adjustable fuel pressure regulator (www.jdsperformance.com Kirban unit = best)

This should get you started...

well everyone has dif. opinions but the basics seem to be this...

Exhaust (h or x pipe) and a cat back
K&N filter and remove air sliencer
Gears (3:73's or w/e ud perfere)
Shifter
Subframe Connectors
A/C delete Kit
Underdrive pulleys
and some good tires

drop a t5 in it

BlahBlahson said:

drop a t5 in it

Click to expand...

and do what he said

ford motor sport headers(shortys) mac off road h, mac cat back, sub frames, and gears. idk much about the aods, but maby a shift kit? id stay away from underdrives. my cousin and my friend had bad experiences with them, they had charging problems. n2o is a option to.... but be caruful with it, dont get carried away with to big of a shot. my cous ran a 125 on his 89 gt cause he wanted to blow the motor b4 he pulled it and couldnt blow it up.... he had alot of bolt ons tho....

BlahBlahson said:

drop a t5 in it

Click to expand...

I should have made that my first Mod!

Alot of people seem to like the pullies and alot seem to regret them.