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Author Topic: trying for some power  (Read 1824 times)

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Offline dumcheesemonkey

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trying for some power
« on: October 30, 2012, 10:08:27 AM »
im kind of looking for suggestions, criticisms, etc for my plans (mostly cheaper stuff)
ive got a 79 pinto wagon 2.3

within the next couple weeks ill take off the cat and put on a glasspack muffler
block off the egr valve with a cheap piece of sheet metal
ive noticed a lot of you putting a weber 3236, so i thought about getting one of those
k&n air filter
set of headers
(big question) cam.  (no idea what to look for, would like for you guys to tell me what you run and works for you)

so any ideas on if its a good place to start or should change or w/e.
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Offline Pinto5.0

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Re: trying for some power
« Reply #1 on: October 30, 2012, 11:12:00 AM »
My '76 2.3L/auto. wagon takes a while to get rolling. It tops out about 90 mph & gets 20 mpg but the auto trans makes it a pig. I have an NOS carb to install when I get a chance which should yield an improvement in power & economy over the untouched, 36 year old, 60K mile original but I'm not expecting a miracle.
 
My EGR is blocked & the cat is long gone & the engine starts & runs beautifully. I figure the new carb will get me 24 mpg & much better accelleration. I think my power valve & or accelerator pump are shot in my stock carb. I can feel the dead spots when I hit the gas. It has a cheap muffler shop muffler on it so I'm sure a free flowing muffler would give me a couple more HP but not what the carb swap should achieve.
 
I have another wagon shell on the way to me(mine has way too much rust & hidden damage) & it will get the stock EFI 2.3/T-5 trans. & 7.5" rear axle from my '87 Mustang parts car. Other than a roller cam swap & a Ranger header I'm not touching anything else & I'm expecting that combo should yield 28 mpg(at least), better accelleration & drivability. This is the way to go short of a turbo swap.
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Offline dumcheesemonkey

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Re: trying for some power
« Reply #2 on: October 30, 2012, 09:09:13 PM »
I've hit 65mph n that's all I dared to. And I've been too scared to really figure out my millage, it terrible Even that took work. I've got dead spots too bit its not all the time, just when it feels like it. Now with the ranger header, what's your reasoning behind that as opposd to a performance one made for the car?
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Offline Fred Morgan

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Re: trying for some power
« Reply #3 on: October 30, 2012, 09:17:55 PM »
What is your smog requirments their ?    Fred   
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Offline Pinto5.0

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Re: trying for some power
« Reply #4 on: October 31, 2012, 12:57:23 AM »
Quote from: dumcheesemonkey on October 30, 2012, 09:09:13 PM
I've hit 65mph n that's all I dared to. And I've been too scared to really figure out my millage, it terrible Even that took work. I've got dead spots too bit its not all the time, just when it feels like it. Now with the ranger header, what's your reasoning behind that as opposd to a performance one made for the car?

I use fuel mileage to gauge my improvements. Unless I'm looking for HP I want mpg. My dead spot is below half throttle. In gear it barely accellerates unless you give it 3/4 throttle. Once up to speed it does fine unless I hit a serious incline then I have to go past 3/4 throttle to maintain speed. Most of that should go away with the new carb though. Considering my wagon sat in a shop for 12 years without being run I can't really complain.
 
As for the Ranger header it's just cheap, under 40 bucks at Pik-a-Part. It's stainless & flows as well as any rusty, nasty manifold plus it bolts right on. I spent $250 on a ceramic coated Pacesetter that may only give an extra 4 or 5 HP. I'm not going to do that for a driver.
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'73 Sedan (I'll get to it)
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Offline dumcheesemonkey

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Re: trying for some power
« Reply #5 on: October 31, 2012, 07:40:21 PM »
ive go no emissions worries. i did buy a glasspack cherry bomb this afternoon and threw that on. very very noticable difference.( my wagon sat for 8 years before i bought it this summer lol.) within the next few days im gonna take care of the egr valve, and depending on how much time i spend hunting ill take care of the cat converter too.
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