What to expect with new mods?

alanw6

Member
Dec 19, 2002
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memphis, TN
Hello,

I'm adding a full exhaust this weekend to my 92 5.0. I'm doing the Ford motorsport shorty headers and a Bassani catted-x and catback.

will this make a noticeable difference besides sound? I'm pretty much a newb with mechanical, more of an electronics guy. Seat of the pants difference I would expect an improvement. I'd appreciate your opinions.

The engine is original-stock except for:

vortech s-trim/powerpipe/msd 6al

Adding the 255lph pump and aeromotive regulator, so my next steps would be to free up the restricted heads/intake right?

Thanks in advance for helping with my curiousity/excitement with these new parts!

Alan
 
A full exhaust makes a very good SOTP difference. It will even "feel" faster because of the increased noise. Your exhaust system should sound sweet. I've heard good things about Bassani. Sounds like you are on the right track with the head/intake swap. Good luck.
 
Yea, I've kinda gone backwards on my mods haven't I? I figured the blower was one of the steeper ($$$) mods, so I got it when I could. Vortech said the kit was intended for a stock motor, so why not? Only then did I realize that I wouldn't get the most appreciable gains until some more mods were on.

I bought the car absolutely stock a while back. The blower went on first, then went with the MSD, new cap rotor plugs and tfi blaster coil. Ignition seemed to be covered until I get a billet dist.

Fuel supply seemed to be next, so I got the walbro and afpr to go along with the t-rex.

The exhaust mod should be a lot of fun, and I'm hoping to see some good gains.

Since it's sort of on topic, how much would ditching the oem mass air and throttle body benefit me? What sizes would be best for this application? It will be done eventually regardless, but is it needed before the h/c/i that is definitely in my near future? One point of note: When I'm getting on it pretty hard the check engine lights up for a moment. The code is 55, MAF voltage too high. Will a larger sensor cure this? Bigger injectors will obviously happen at that time also, stock 19s are in now and I imagine they are running out of room.

Thanks for the replies guys, hope these rookie questions are alright.
 
Ditching oem mass air and TB will give you monster gain, esp with the exhaust open now. 30's or maybe 36's with a dyno tune with greatly increase your gains and give you the full potential of the car without risking running lean. I would go with the 80mm pro-m plastic and a accufab 70 or even a 75mm tb for your setup. The plastic maf is better, because it doesnt conduct heat, giving off a false setting
 
Thanks for the advice.

I'll probably go ahead and do the mass air and throttle body, since they are pretty simple installs. The bigger squirters might have to wait until the h/c/i swap.

The car now has 85 miles. :D I bought it in Dec 02 with 96,500 on it. It doesn't get driven very much, but is and will always be a street car. To the track occasionally, but it's my toy first and foremost.

AFR is the way I'm going, that's already decided. Unsure on the u/l intake though. I have a couple months to think it over and recoup the cash that Mr. Bassani got from me. Hopefully I'll sell a bunch of gauge pods and have some disposable $ to go crazy with. (the link in my sig explains this last line, in case you're wondering)

With the miles showing, what are your thoughts on the stock short block holding out? Boost is at 8-9 lbs max, btw.

thanks,

Alan
 
Well without the Supercharger I have the bassani X, ford shorties and a magnaflow catback, when i went with the x it felt like it lost a little bottom end but the top end pulled harder than before. You probably won't feel the loss being that you have the sc, it should probably liven up the whole thing, I think you will like it!
 
Quick update: OH YEAAAHH!

Install was pretty painless, and the car sounds great now. It definitely seem to pull harder and rev much more freely. Whytry, I think the bottom end did suffer a little bit, but not enough to get worried about. Must mean it's time for some gears...

One question: Will it be couple days before the strange smell (I'm guessing it the cats burning in) goes away? No odor in the car, just outside.

Taking a little cruise later tonight, should be fun.

Thanks for the advice guys.

Alan