planning - what to do next ?

[vytas]

Hi All,

First some background...

I am currently having my 91 SC's body and paint redone. ln the last couple of years, I also had my engine rebuilt - with a felpro gasket installed - and had my tranny rebuilt with a shift kit (from Technic)- also installed an aftermarket SS exhaust (from Budget - 2 1/4" cats to 3" magnaflow resonator - to 2 1/5" magnaflow mufflers)

I also have 17" rims with 245 50 17 tires

also have 1.5 " eibach lowering springs / new shocks (stock) and a rear bushing kit

I also have a K&N air filter in the stock air box

otherwise - all is stock

It's taken me a while to get to this point, but the issue is now- what to do next ?

My car runs pretty well these days - and at this stage - I guess the obvious thing would be to go for more power.

The question I have is -> what strategies are available for achieving this?

From my reading of articles and various posts, there seems to be controversy about putting in bigger MAF and throttle bodies, injectors etc. I know a lot of people have done this - but the main concern stated is that the EEC was not designed for these items -and the fear is that the car may never run quite right - or at least give rise to reliability concerns down the road.

Also, the raised top seems to be another controversial thing. Some posts claim it works wonders, others claim it is marginal at best - and not worth the money.

Don't get me wrong. I like more power. BUt it can be a little confusing deciding what to do next.

I am looking for a step by step strategy that I can work on gradually - that will get me the best bang for the buck and not sacrifice reliability.

Any advice from members who have already gone down this road is greatly appreciated.


cheers,

Vytas

[XR7 Dave]

UD pulleys, Autolite 764 plugs, 180 deg thermostat, 255lph fuel pump, 5% JS pulley, shortened A/C condensor, a double IC with fan, OD for the SC, JLT CAI, chip/dyno tune in that order.

That will get you all that the stock injectors can handle and the car will be a blast to drive with no sacrifice in economy or reliability.

Also at whatever point you want to do it, 3.73 gears.

[vytas]

UD pulleys, Autolite 764 plugs, 180 deg thermostat, 255lph fuel pump, 5% JS pulley, shortened A/C condensor, a double IC with fan, OD for the SC, JLT CAI, chip/dyno tune in that order.

That will get you all that the stock injectors can handle and the car will be a blast to drive with no sacrifice in economy or reliability.

Also at whatever point you want to do it, 3.73 gears.

Thanks XR7Dave. I appreciate the info. But I have a few questions.

I got the impression that it's best to stay with the stock plugs as other kinds seem not to work so well - are the Autolite 764 plugs an exception to this ?

Also - I was under the impression that getting a bigger fuel pump only was warranted if you were going to install bigger injectors ? Does a bigger fuel pump by itself make any difference?

Would installing 3.73 gears give me better off the line starts - and if so, wouldn't they sacrifice high end ?

Replacing the stock intercooler seems like a worthwhile idea - but I've noticed there are a number of types to choose from with quite a range in prices.

Not sure what " OD for the SC, JLT CAI, chip/dyno tune " means exactly.

sorry for all the questions...

[SeanMatteson]

Not sure what " OD for the SC, JLT CAI, chip/dyno tune " means exactly.

"OD for the SC" - Put a slightly smaller pulley on the supercharger to overdrive it. Pulleys typically come in 5% and 10% OD sizes.

"JLT CAI" - A Cold Air Intake kit from JLT. You can find information about this kit on the forums. I believe it is under the New Products section.

"chip/dyno tune" - Well, this is stuff that Dave can help you with directly. It involves changing the parameters in the Electronic Engine Control (EEC) which is Ford's term for the powertrain control module, or engine control module. It's essentially the 'brains' behind the fuel injection system on our cars. Dave is suggesting that after you've put some mods on the car, you should acquire a custom chip for the car that tailors the settings to your combination, and it's best to have a tuner like Dave find the right settings for your car while the car is on a chassis dyno.

I hope this helps.

Best regards,

Sean

[XR7 Dave]

Thanks XR7Dave. I appreciate the info. But I have a few questions.

I got the impression that it's best to stay with the stock plugs as other kinds seem not to work so well - are the Autolite 764 plugs an exception to this ?

Old wives tales. Bosch platinum plugs are the only ones that don't work well in these cars. Double platinum plugs are constructed that way to reduce the need for maintenance of the car. I feel that on an older car such as this with performance mods, semi annual plug changes should be mandatory. Plug changes are your window into your motor and you should look in there periodically. They can tell you lots of things like leaking headgaskets, lean conditions, oil consumption etc. If you change plugs semi annually you'll get better performance and there is no need for platinum plugs.


Also - I was under the impression that getting a bigger fuel pump only was warranted if you were going to install bigger injectors ? Does a bigger fuel pump by itself make any difference?

It's not a performance mod, it's a required maintenance mod. Your old fuel pump may be about dead in which case your car can run lean without you knowing it. Replacing the fuel pump with a good high performance pump will ensure that you don't have that problem.

Would installing 3.73 gears give me better off the line starts - and if so, wouldn't they sacrifice high end ?

I'm not an AOD guy so I can't testify from personal experience, but most people with AOD's love 3.73 gears. I do know that driving around town the car feels like it shed 800lbs. On the highway you will be running about 2400rpm at 75mph which is very much like running 3.27 gears in a 5spd car.

Replacing the stock intercooler seems like a worthwhile idea - but I've noticed there are a number of types to choose from with quite a range in prices.

Yes there are. I don't have a favorite so ultimately you'll have to decide.

Not sure what " OD for the SC, JLT CAI, chip/dyno tune " means exactly.

sorry for all the questions...

Sean answered this one pretty well. :)

[vytas]

Thanks XR7Dave and thanks Sean !!


One more question though. Just to clarify - these are altogether different items I am assuming and the 5% JS pulley is better to do first ?

By the way, my fuel pump does make noise - although it still keeps working - but just as you say, it makes sense to replace soon.

Thanks

Vytas

[SeanMatteson]

Thanks XR7Dave and thanks Sean !!


One more question though. Just to clarify - these are altogether different items I am assuming and the 5% JS pulley is better to do first ?

By the way, my fuel pump does make noise - although it still keeps working - but just as you say, it makes sense to replace soon.

Thanks

Vytas

Vytas,

When you change the diameter on the JS pulley to overdrive the blower, you're actually increasing the diameter where the belt rides. That means you've increased the surface area that the belt makes contact with the pulley, so you are less prone to belt-slippage, which can be a problem when you start to overdrive the blower. Later, you can add a 5% or 10% OD pulley on the blower to increase boost even further.

In regards to the fuel pump, if you're going to be dropping the tank, and if you have any thoughts of upgrading the exhaust system, you might want to consider picking up the newer style gas tank used from a wrecker. The benefit of the newer style tank is that the exhaust routing doesn't involve so many sharp bends like there are around the early style tanks. The newer style tanks also make it easier for an exhaust shop to route two pipes for a true dual system if that's the way you want to go. The only problem with swapping the tanks, is that you'll need to deal with the exhaust right away. The early style exhaust cannot go back on the car if you upgrade to the later style tank.

...Just more food for thought.

Have a great day!

Sean

[vytas]

Vytas,

When you change the diameter on the JS pulley to overdrive the blower, you're actually increasing the diameter where the belt rides. That means you've increased the surface area that the belt makes contact with the pulley, so you are less prone to belt-slippage, which can be a problem when you start to overdrive the blower. Later, you can add a 5% or 10% OD pulley on the blower to increase boost even further.

In regards to the fuel pump, if you're going to be dropping the tank, and if you have any thoughts of upgrading the exhaust system, you might want to consider picking up the newer style gas tank used from a wrecker. The benefit of the newer style tank is that the exhaust routing doesn't involve so many sharp bends like there are around the early style tanks. The newer style tanks also make it easier for an exhaust shop to route two pipes for a true dual system if that's the way you want to go. The only problem with swapping the tanks, is that you'll need to deal with the exhaust right away. The early style exhaust cannot go back on the car if you upgrade to the later style tank.

...Just more food for thought.

Have a great day!

Sean

Thanks Sean,

Your explanation helps a lot.

Re: exhaust - I have already installed a new exhaust - and kept my old tank - so changing to a new style gas tank won't help the exhaust at this point.

I was also thinking about getting a new radiator in the near future. Mine is still original ('91) - and I have read nice things about an aluminum rad (from Mike?). Although that is more of a maintenance issue - it can't hurt performance I figure.

Thanks !!

[Ryan A Harris]

I think MIKE3.8 SC is missing in action. Might have to find another source for AL rads. The raised top, IMO is a watse of cash. It's nice, don't get me wrong, looks stock, nice workmanship, but I don't think its worth the 300 US, or whatever it costs.

Dave's list is the best bang for your buck, when starting out. People tent to go overboard when modding the SC, well I guess that can go for all gear heads.... :rolleyes:

If your A/C works then yes the shorted condenser is a good route, fairly cheap if I remember correctly. Its shorter on the side the IC's on, so more air can get it. All the stock fittings will still line up. Plus the stock rad will work as well. ANY sort of IC upgrade you'll like. There is a local memeber making double IC's well worth the cash. Make sure to get the IC fan.

I run the plugs Dave had listed. They work just fine. There cheaper than the stockers, so as Dave has mentioned looking at, and possilby, replacing them 2 a year is no biggie.

I'd bet his list would get near 13's with some time at the track.

[vytas]

I think MIKE3.8 SC is missing in action. Might have to find another source for AL rads. The raised top, IMO is a watse of cash. It's nice, don't get me wrong, looks stock, nice workmanship, but I don't think its worth the 300 US, or whatever it costs.

Dave's list is the best bang for your buck, when starting out. People tent to go overboard when modding the SC, well I guess that can go for all gear heads.... :rolleyes:

If your A/C works then yes the shorted condenser is a good route, fairly cheap if I remember correctly. Its shorter on the side the IC's on, so more air can get it. All the stock fittings will still line up. Plus the stock rad will work as well. ANY sort of IC upgrade you'll like. There is a local memeber making double IC's well worth the cash. Make sure to get the IC fan.

I run the plugs Dave had listed. They work just fine. There cheaper than the stockers, so as Dave has mentioned looking at, and possilby, replacing them 2 a year is no biggie.

I'd bet his list would get near 13's with some time at the track.


I greatly appreciate the info Ryan. I guess the next step will be to find out moew about the various upgrades Dave recommends - so that I could slowly start to get them.

But a couple more questions if you don't mind.

Re: Fuel pump - is 255lph necessarily better over a 190 lph ?

How effective would replacing the underdrive pulleys be?

Cheers,

Vytas

[Ryan A Harris]

But a couple more questions if you don't mind.

Re: Fuel pump - is 255lph necessarily better over a 190 lph ?

How effective would replacing the underdrive pulleys be?

Cheers,

Vytas

Yes I would say for the little bit of cost difference the 255 is well worth it. Think if you start to mod you SC, then get hooked, and later down the road you need to get the 255'er anyway.

The UD's, depends on who you talk with, some love'em some think there a waste. I'd say any of the aftermarket sets are good upgrade over the stock pulleys, which in total weigh about 12 pounds(or something like that). Of the 3 sets for the SC's I think there all under 4 or 5 pounds. Having less rotating mass is a good thing, think AL flywheel, same theory. Heck replacing your stock steel jackshaft will give you a dyno proven 10-12 HP. With that pulley it was about 2 pounds under the steel pulley. The only down side of the UD's is the bigger alt pulley. If you going to use your SC in any sort of cold weather, and if you have a large stereo system, then it puts a heavy strain on the stock alt.

Hope that helps.

[vytas]

Yes - thanks Ryan - that helps a lot.

You have all given me some very useful and well appreciated suggestions - not to the mention some great info. I hope to be able to start with some mod's in the not too distant future.

Thanks !!

Vytas