Rate my planned combination...

[mrswivlepants]

I'm relatively new to the 5.0 modding scene and I wanted to get some feedback on my planned mods. I've got a 90 LX with 150k on the ticker. Just tossed in a short throw, to a stock setup and wanted some more power behind it. Plus I drove my coworker's SRT-4 and wanted to destroy him in the straight-away. My planned combo came from advice from a mechanic friend who works on Fords but I wanted some feedback from some of you guys...

Cobra Intake
70mm Mass Air
24 lb injectors (the Cobra kit I think with the EEC-IV module M-9000-C52)
70mm T-body (any recommendations: brand/size?)

Right now the budget can cover that. I already have the intake. Any pointers or tips appreciated...plus an estimate on the HP output would be great.

 

[slow93]

that should help out alot...but....you would get more bang for your buck by installing some gears..4.10s are really good imo

 

[N8Miller]

yeah, 4.10s are really gonna make the car more fun to drive.
if you dont plan on adding a cam or heads soon, go with a 65mm throttle body, and a 75mm MAF. the 24s are gonna be overkill for a bit too....

 

[5.0ina66]

Your planned mods look pretty good, but I'd just like to point out that the Cobra computers suck. They are no upgrade, and are actually a softer tune than the stock computer. A noticeable difference has been reported from switching back to the stock computer (a few tenths in the 1/4). Gears and a good exhaust (with headers) would make a nice next upgrade. 3:55 would be my pick for a stickshift car that's driven a lot, but if that's not the case you could step up the gear selection even further. I'm going to guesstimate that the mods you listed are a good 35fwhp addition.
HTH
--Kyle

 

[bretamo]

Besides the gearing listed above, I offer the following suggestions:

Underdrive Pulleys
Shorty Headers
H Pipe exhaust
GT-40 heads
GT-40 Intake
65mm Throttle Body
.6 rocker arms

The above should get you to 305+ HP without stressing that 150k motor.

Good luck!

 

[mrswivlepants]

Oh forgot to mention I have a BBK H pipe w/ cats and an aftermarket exhaust already. No headers...yet. I saw a post about Thumper ported stock heads. They cost a ton less than most of the aftermarket stuff. Any thoughts on them?

Your planned mods look pretty good, but I'd just like to point out that the Cobra computers suck....

Lets just say I jumped the gun for a second (which I did) and ordered that Cobra MAF/injector kit already. Anybody know if I can use the meter without the module?

 

[5.0ina66]

Lets just say I jumped the gun for a second (which I did) and ordered that Cobra MAF/injector kit already. Anybody know if I can use the meter without the module?

Yep. The MAF is only specifically tuned in the fact that the tube on it has to match the injector size, and that can be unbolted and changed if it comes to changing the injectors again. It's A-OK to run the Cobra MAF/Injectors without the Cobra computer.
HTH
--Kyle
PS: I've taked to a few engine designers, and they said it's all in the air velocity, which seems to be Thumper's motto as well. Those flow numbers are pretty stout for 302 heads. If you want good, inexpensive heads, I'd go for them. I'd go for it myself if I didn't have a set of 351W heads on the shelf, just begging to be ported.

 

[mrswivlepants]

I've feverishly been researching all of this since I made that hasty order and I'm getting conflicting information with regard to T-body size. Some sources say match the t-body to the intake diameter, in my case 70mm for the cobra intake I think, to increase efficiency. Others say going too large is a bad thing. On the other hand, Accufab's FAQs say going too large won't hurt anything you just won't realize the gains that a more modified engine could with the large t-body. Any benefit/cost of going with a 70mm versus something a little smaller? Last question for this post: the Accu*** Race t-bodies; overkill for me right? They have a large intake side that tappers to a 70mm exhaust side I think.

 

[bretamo]

I'm guessing that every combination of parts may have some pro's and cons; and the con to a 70mm throttle body may be a loss of low rpm torque for high rpm HP. Some more experienced folk may need to jump in and correct me on that; but that is the reason I'm going with a 65mm.

 

[stang_racer69]

check out my sig. it is fun to drive altough it needs to be faster

also I can get 18-20mpg if I stay out of it. I personaly would not hesitate to go with 4:10's on another car if I drove it everyday insted of my ranger

 

[mrswivlepants]

*BUMP*
Need more feedback on the 70mm versus the 65mm T-body on the setup I'm working on.

 

[whtpny]

If you are planning more upgrades like the Thumpers and a cam and gears then just go with the 70mm. As long as you plan on continuing upgrades you may as well get it. Also if you just use the Cobra MAF and injectors then get an adustable fuel pressure regulator until you grow into those as well. It will all work fine what you have planned. Go for it and have fun with it.

 

[mrswivlepants]

Woot! Thanks for the response whtpny.