What to expect with new mods?

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

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.

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. 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

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