purchasing an 85 or 87 mustang and i am wondering what the first performance upgrade i should make to it should be. help out a little. also i am younger and not yet really savy with working on cars so i am looking for simple things to do for easy horsepower.
2007-07-10 20:09:43 · 9 answers · asked by monstermott2002 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Car Makes ➔ Ford
GEARS!!! Bang for the buck you will absolutely love the difference in feeling. Unfortunately since you said your not savy I'd pay for them to be installed because this is something you want done correctly.
Next on the list is an HCI (heads, cam, intake/carb) combo in terms of feeling a difference. This will also make a significant increase in power, however this is not an easy task for someone who is new to the hobby, and it can be expensive depending on the setup you choose.
If you want to do something yourself that is relatively straight forward start with the exhaust. Choose a headers back system with at least 1/5/8" headers, and 2.5" exhaust. I really like the way Bassani sounded on my stock motor but its a little loud with the new setup. While there isn't a lot of noticable power with this mod, it will sound much better and give you the satisfaction of doing it yourself.
Since I'm unfamiliar with modding a speed density car I'd research limitations before adding nitrous to the 87 and if I did I'd definately stick with a 75hp kit until you beef up some other parts of the car.
Good luck and welcome to the hobby
2007-07-11 05:48:48 · answer #1 · answered by MadCowRacer 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
86 5.0's had the odd heads and no valve releifs in the pistons.
On either car, 3.55 gears would make a huge difference. The 85 is easier to mod because there is no computer to worry about. The 85 will also need to be updated to 86-93 exhaust to get true duals. The 85 also has a smaller rearend 7.5 vs 8.8 for the 86-93.
You can open up the exhaust and intake as mentioned above and put 3.55 gears in the 87 without switching to MAF. Mine ran fine this way. Once you start opening up the heads and installing a larger camshaft, then you will need MAF because the speed density system will not compensate for the extra airflow and run lean.
2007-07-11 15:25:54 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Replacing the rear gear ratios on either will give you a big boost in acceleration. On the 87 some free things you can do are remove the air silencer and advance the timing to about 12-14 degrees (stock is 10). Those two things will give you a little free power.
Other things to do on the 87 would be looking to convert from speed density to mass air flow. The speed density system on the 87 is going to limit what mods you can do becuase the computer can not compensate for some of them the way the mass air computer can.
2007-07-11 05:28:54 · answer #3 · answered by RED FIVE O 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Smart money is to improve braking and handling first. What is the use of getting more power when you can't handle or stop.?
1) Pick up a set of 73mm piston calipers, These are off any Crown Vic or Grand Marquis. Low cost, big upgrade in braking power. Also pick up a good set of 11" discs. Also swap out the old wheel bearings with fresh ones.
2) Subframe connectors, The chassis on the car is flexy, adding subframes will stiffen the chassis and make handling more stable and predictable.
3) Upgrade the suspension. Weak link is the live axle rear end. They really suck. Upgrade the rear lower control arms with decent aftermarket with proper heim joints that connect to the body and axle mounts. Avoid those that come with just polyurethane mounts, they are only good for strip use and will cause you undue grief on the street. Get either a watts link or at the very minimum - a panhard arm. Upgrade the rear shocks and springs for sure. Front end, look at getting a k-member brace and upgrade the front struts and springs.
Doing those things will make a world of difference on your car. It will handle and brake much better, and provides you with a decent platform to start doing engine mods...
2007-07-13 06:49:35 · answer #4 · answered by bev b 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the 87 is a better pick (It's a fuelie), sub-frame connectors should be first, this will strengthen the body for future mods, about $100 + installation (it's the part that Ford Forgot)
2007-07-11 00:19:04 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You could try and drive it stock for a while. It'll give you a chance to get used to it before you start upping the power on it. Good luck.
2007-07-10 20:15:38 · answer #6 · answered by Fordman 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Changing the rear end gears will give you the biggest boost for the money.
2007-07-11 14:55:53 · answer #7 · answered by Lizzy P 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
don't get the 85, they had a horrible set of heads and weird pistons, if you change the heads you WILL need new pistons as the old ones can contact the head/valves.
2007-07-11 07:02:20 · answer #8 · answered by shane d 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
the best upgrade u can do is lose ur intrest of ford...
2007-07-10 20:41:11 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 5⤋