1989 LX Coupe Mods

I have a 1989 LX coupe what are some good upgrades to do on a stock motor. Should I put a chip in the car and what kind? Any other easy bolt on mods. This is my first efi car.

Thanks,

Rob

Rob,

These cars respond to some fairly easy and unexpensive modifications. Here is a list:

• remove air intake silencer and put a k&n in the stock air box. (inside the fenderwell on the other side of the air box)
• advance the timing to around 14 to 15 degrees (do not bother with a chip)
• replace the 2.73 - 3.08 gears with 3.55's or 3.73's. (this is probably the biggest bang for the buck on these cars.
• do some exhaust work. (replace restrictive headers, h-pipe, and cat back exhaust. (mildly expensive)
• replace the heads and intake. (big gain, but big money also.) you also would want to change the mass air meter, throttle body, injectors, at this point.

Hope this gets you started.

Thanks a lot I will advance the timing tonight and see how that goes. I agree the gears would help a lot. So changing the mass air meter, throttle body would be a waste of time if I don't do the heads and intake first?

Thanks

Rob

What trans do you have?

Either way, gears will make the most noticable difference of the basic upgrades in my opinion. Stick with Ford gear sets as I have found them to be the quietest. Also, consider rebalancing or replacing your driveshaft with an aluminum piece, as the gears will make any imbalance much more noticeable due to the driveshaft's increase in rpm.

Asside from the basic bolt-ons mentioned (air silencer/panel filter, timing, exhaust upgrades, etc.) another basic part that I've noticed good gains with is an underdriven pulley set. Make sure you go with a street oriented version. If you're going to do a gear swap, your rpms will be up a little anyway, so there shouldn't be any noticeable changes as far as charging and cooling issues are concerned.

Thanks!

Rob

Whiterod is correct about the first mods. Prioritys should be open up the intake side first, then exhaust. After that, its Katie bar the door.
The GT40 intake and 65mm throttle along with a 70 to 75 mm MAF meter will really liven things up, make it sound good, AND increase your gas mileage. The last GT40 I bought on ebay for 150+ shipping, which was a bargain, and it came with injectors. All of this plus above mods will get you into the 265+HP range easily and it makes a difference from the seat, you feel it. In this trim, I get 9.36 @ 75 in 1/8 mile on 3.08 rear gears. Plus if you go with heads later, you keep all that stuff because it will support up to 350+HP. Add a cam in the mix with heads gets you over 300HP. Don't forget the headers, go with shorties, not equal length. The equals are a lot of trouble and are only a help if racing for top end power.

Thanks I just got my 3.55 gears yesterday and I put on my Motorsport undrive pulley set today. On Monday I will recieve my BBK cold air intake, shorty headers and "off road" x-pipe (we dont have emissions testing where I live) and then I will advance the timing. Lastly I am going to order some M/T drag radials and then try the car in August when our track re-opens. I should be in the low 14's.

Hey man, watch out if using drag radials on stock axles, they will snap on you if you are really hard on it, or abuse it often.... but they do launch good.

So how are the upgrades goin Roarnracin? What state do you live in?

I just got the gears in today and the exhaust sounds bad a$$. I'll let you know tomorrow I need to do some "testing" tonight he-he