Performance Tune Up?

[HO5POINTO1990]

Ok, let me just start off by saying that it has been awhile since I have posted, but I need some advice again. I was wondering something about tuning up my car. I have the 1990 mustang gt, and was wondering if I should go with Ford and ask them to do a PERFORMANCE tune up on my vehicle? I know it will be expensive, but the thing is that I do not know what the tune up consists of? If I knew what parts they used, and what they were doing I could do it myself because I would love to tune my own car up with a few of my mustang enthusiasts friends. So what I'm really asking is what kind of parts, and what kind of things would I need to do if I were to tune my car up PROFESSIONALLY? New gaskets? If someone knows exactly what ford would do for a performance tune up and could somehow write out their agenda on here then it would be so much easier and cheaper to do it. Thanks

 

[90mustangGT]

I don't know what thier definitian of tha "performance" tune up is?

I work in a shop, this is what I would suggest:

Get a new fuel filter and a good in tank fuel system cleaning additive. If your engine isn't too sludgy, maby some of that Marvel Mystery Oil, in both the gas and oil, that stuff turns out to be pretty good for cleaning out things, just drive it about 300miles with that stuff in there. Maby even an engine flush when changing the oil. Put in a K&N air filter, remove the silencer, make shure there is no dirt in the MAF unit. If there is you can clean it with electric parts cleaner with a light spray (hold the spray back as far as possible. Then clean out the TB with some TB or Carb cleaner until it looks new. Take off the IAC and clean it out with the carb or TB cleaner, reinstall with a new IAC gasket. With the MAF system off, run engine and when hot hold the throttle open part way and spray the Carb cleaner down there to get all the grime out of the intake. Then set the TP sensor to .998. After all this, change the oil and install new sparkplugs (autolite 25's) and plug wires, cap, and rotor. Then adjust your timing to about 12-14*. Then reset the computer by unhooking the battery for a while and turning the key on with the battey out. Re hook the battery and allow to idle when warm for a few minutes and drive it a little.

This all may be over your head, but just PM me with any questions, you need to learn this if you want to start modding. A car has to run properly first before you can add power.

 

[HO5POINTO1990]

I've all ready advanced my timing (14º), cleaned the MAF, I put a K&N filter in about 10 k miles ago, and when I did that then I put new Spark plugs, new plug wires, Oil change from synthetic to REDLINE, and ever since every 3k miles i changed the oil, I haven't cleaned the TB or the IAC unit? (Don't know EXACTLY where it is. i think I do, it's the thing connecting to the TB right?) I know I need to flush my Cooling system because I am at 76k miles without ever doing that and I want to avoid a heating core problem. But I haven't done the TP sensor? I AM SURE THAT I DONT' KNOW WHAT THAT IS. lol.
But what I was kinda searching for was a tune up that replaced parts that might need replacing? At a performance shop called SPEED MERCHANT, they suggested new gaskets and some other stuff I could not remember off the top of my head. So if you know what other kind of ENGINE work I can do to keep my car in the best running form would really be appreciative. btw thanks 90MUSTANGGT that was really helpful. I'll search for the IAC and TP sensors. thanks

 

[HO5POINTO1990]

bump

 

[90mustangGT]

About your cooling system. At work I pull the upper radiator hose and add water to the radiator end while the engine runs, the old coolant flows out the T-stat housing, sometimes I do it the other way around. I let it run until the water runs cool. I started this for cars which were really dirty and those which have no radiator drain. Now I found this is the way to do it so none of the dirt that breaks loose goes back into the system. You could bypass the heater core until the rest of the system is clean, then hook up the one line that goes into the heater core and let it run out. It makes a mess no doubt which has earned me a few nicknames but I get the job done.

IAC - Idle Air Controll - does what it says, sits on side of TB facing outwards, tube looking with a wire connector, if it gets dirty, it hurts idle characteristics.
TP - Throttle Postiton sinsor - tells computer throttle postion, if it is off, it will hurt throttle responce and idle.

I don't understand the gasket thing, the only one I see is the IAC gasket, which is found at any parts store.

Don't fortget the PCV with screen, sits behind the intake by the fire wall, the screen sits below it. Also, the tranny fluid needs changing with ATF, as well as the rear end dope.