Some added power for a daily driver

[dstang01]

I have a low mileage daily driven (mostly daily) 95 vert 5 speed and I would like something to give it an inexpensive added kick. Its definately a fun car as is, but some added power and torque would be welcomed. A blower or aftermarket h/c/i (like trickflow) would be cool, but at this point Im looking to keep the car perfectly streetable and hassle free, and also spend under a grand for everything. These are the two choices I have:

1. Thumper ported stock e7's, 1.7 roller rockers on the stock cam (maybe degreed), tmoss ported intake.
Pros: Should make about 250-260 rwhp, and the powers always there, makes engine more efficient, runs on 87 octane, no real danger involved
Cons: Harder to install, cant "turn it off" to get stock fuel economy

2. Nitrous system with the safety goodies, 100 shot
Pros: More power and torque across the graph than #1 (im pretty sure, correct me if im wrong) Can be turned off for a stock engine and turned on for fun, stock driveability and gas mileage until system is turned on, easy install
Cons: Power isnt always there, bottle refilling hassle, 93 octane, dangers involved with a nitrous setup

Im still indecisive of what I want to go with, opinions would be great

 

[MoneygrubbinCar]

I'd go with number 1 installation might be a little harder but once you're done you'll be pleased no matter what. On the plus side of the first choice you don't ever have to worry about refillin that little bottle thats only good for a few races. I don't think your fuel economy is gonna change much anyways swappin the heads and portin the intake. It won't be any worse than paying for the 93 octane to run nitrous.

 

[Turkey Sammich]

I would go with 1 as well, you'll be a lot happier that you did. And if you own a Mustang you really shouldn't be concerned with it getting great gas mileage.

 

[myslo50]

i would do both....
do #1 first and then do #2 i the spring, and u will have even more power.
just a thought

 

[lang williams]

if you're still running stock gears, i'd change that first. 3.55's would wake it up an yo wouldn't notice much fuel economy change over 2.73 or 3..08's.

 

[93GTosu]

thumpers e7's or maybe look around for an explorer motor in a junkyard. I found a 97 for $150. explorers either have gt40 or gt40p (both iron) heads and the equivalent of a cobra intake. and if you decide you want more power maybe have those ported down the road by thumper?

under a grand is hard for anything though....

nitrous refills add up really quick i'd imagine (i wouldnt be able to stay out of it)

if you pull your heads and intake off dont forget gaskets, bolts, coolant, oil, blah blah blah


i agree that gears would be the most cost-effective "kick"

 

[5.0 HOtrain]

Cons:cant "turn it off" to get stock fuel economy

A few years back I had the AFR/FTI combo on my 90 LX, with all the supporting mods. The car made 303/332 @ the wheels with a 5 spd and 3:73's. Around town averaged 17-20mpg, while the highway it got 24-26. Not sure what you are looking for, but I was not much worse off than stock.
just me.
mike.

 

[Flavadave4]

some gears would be a great place to start.

I love my Thumper-Tmoss-TFS1 combo and still get 25mpg on the highway with 3.73's

 

[dstang01]

Hey guys, Ive got a game plan down. Im planning on buying a set of gt40p heads and upper/lower intake off an explorer/mountaineer and installing them on my low mileage 5.0. I'm planning to use my stock valve springs on the P's, or I might purchase a set of trickflows. Im also going to stick with the stock cam and rockers for now. Ill add the bolt ons and some p specific headers and call it a day for now. Later on down the road if I want to increase the power, Ill have the P's and intake ported and invest in a custom ground cam for good street driving. This setup should cost very little for the performance gained

 

[FoxRod87]

you might as well throw an e-cam in some 1.7 rockers and some good valve springs and you should still come out under 1000 dollars. and have a good setup.

 

[dstang01]

Im thinking Ill go with the 1.7 rrs and good springs, but Im gonna spare the cam for now because I have to retain some gas mileage (yes.. the G word) and keep stock driveability. Also, is it true that an ecam reduces low end to provide the better top end? How about a tfs1, they seem popular for gt40 setups.

..on the other hand, the sound alone is good reason to do the cam

 

[dstang01]

Hey guys, Im starting to reconsider nitrous as a cheap alternative to the all motor combo. I can drop $300 for a used wet nitrous kit and have an easy 13 second car on a 100 shot. The only major downfalls are the $40 a bottle for refills, power increase only from 3000 rpm and up, not having power all the time, and running premium gas. The reason Im reconsidering this is that Im afraid the all motor setup will nickle and dime me to death.. explorer heads for $250ish and intake for $150 are the main expenses, then who knows if the heads are gonna need work, then Ill need springs, most likely new rockers, bolts and gaskets, new headers if I go with P's (or do those plug wire modifications and what not), Ill have to deal with egr and emissions, and the car will be out of commission for awhile for install. Im worried if there are even more unexpected things, the project will quickly get out of my budget. The nitrous is quick and easy for now, and I can do the n/a setup later on too or save a year or so for a trickflow kit. Once again.. Im undecided suggestions?

 

[Darkwriter77]

Better heads won't give you worse gas mileage, as they allow the motor to breathe easier and work more efficiently; developing a serious case of leadfoot after installing better heads, however, WILL make your gas mileage take a nosedive.

That being said, I'd go with Option #1.

 

[jake2582]

just spray it!!!!
"spray is made for the street"
2hr install vs. 2day install****
the most fun you can have for $40 i can bet my life on that claim

 

[dadslx]

i agree i enjoy my 80 dry shot. the problem is not filling the bottle the problem is your going to enjoy the extra power and start jacking your credits cards for a 393 stroker like i am..ohh then adding the shot to that..lol..buyer beware may cause dependancyamnit:

 

[DucatiRdr]

Blah, Blah, Blah...The nitrous is quick and easy for now, and I can do the n/a setup later on too or save a year or so for a trickflow kit. Once again.. Im undecided suggestions?

Here is my suggestion: do it right or don't do it at all. For you, NO2 is for street racing and not for "added kick" during your daily commute. Both options will nickel and dime you to death, the difference is the HCI combo will do it all at once and the NO2 will drain your wallet for ever. If you are worried about money don't do either. If you are worried about gas mileage do option #1.

At this point and at your budget I would go for a set of gears today, and save for an HCI combo later.

NPD

 

[TokyoJoe]

Of the two for quick and easy and cheap, of course the spray and you won't even be close to spending 1G