Grease Monkeys Wanted

It's harder to find a decent auto forum on the 'net than a decent tech forum...

Anyway, while I continue to search in vain for a more appropriate (but worthwhile) forum to post this in, I'll just throw it out on the offchance someone stops by who knows the answer.

I have a 1994 Thunderbird LX with a 4.6L V8 modular engine. AFAIK, this is the introduction of the 4.6L modular for ford that eventually replaced the 5.0L V8 engine. Now, I'm interested in beginning the search for some decent performance upgrades. So far, I've found a K&N air filter / intake system, Edelbrock throttle body, and a DiabloSport performance chip. That should be good for a (using modest numbers) 35 hp boost to about 240hp. I'm lost on two things, however:

a cold air intake system and a cat-back exhaust.

Now, I'm curious: does anyone know if there's a significant difference between the 4.6L 2-valve/cyl V8 modulars in the 94 T-birds, and the same modular engines that went into Mustang GTs in '96 (and are still in them)? From what I can tell, they're the same thing, it's just that the new V8s in the GTs have about 40-55 more hp, but I don't know why...

It would be great if I could swap performance parts with a late model Mustang GT with minimal hassle. If that's possible, I should be able to pull this T-bird up to about 240-270 hp / 275-300lb ft. torque. With those numbers, I'll be able to take on stock Mustang GTs and all those silly little children with their tricked civics and acuras without breaking a sweat (go American muscle!).

Ah well... if anyone happens to swing through who can answer this, post back.

Thanks,
Chris

It's a well known fact that anything that's yellow will increase your horse power. Get yourself some yellow seat covers and a steering wheel cover. That's 10-20 HP at least.

Also, get yourself a "Type R" sticker. Those are worth 1HP for every inch long it is.

Glad I could help. If there is anything else, let me know!

---John Holmes...

LOL

Does that mean if I get 10 5 inch stickers I'll get a 50hp boost?

The beautiful irony is that those stupid stickers (and those stupid giant mufflers that kids like) usually cost more than real performance mods and just weigh the car down so it's slower

Yeah, that's at least 50HP. Maybe 60+ if you get them in color. I completely depends on where you put them, too.

Oh, and I completely forgot about the mufflers. That's 5HP for every inch in diameter.

I've got a 93 Ford Tempo that, by my estimates, has around 600 HP with a four cylinder engine, but I've got a couple more stickers coming in the mail, SO THAT'S GOING UP!

---John Holmes...

If it was my car, I'd be trying my local T-bird club, there's bound to be a heap of them willing to help you.

And whilst I'm not sure what cars they cater for, Apexi Racing Parts are well known for their high performance parts. e.g. stand alone fuel systems, air intake systems, exhausts, turbos etc.

I've tried lots of people, but noone wants to make aftermarket parts for the 16v models because those engines were put in the cars geared more toward luxury (read: Thunderbirds) than performance (read: Mustangs.... if you can call a Mustang much of a performer :rolleyes. I'll probably hold off on parts until the next big car show (custom compact is the next one... so all those kids with their ugly rice burners plastered with stupid looking "Avenger" kits, wings, and yellow "R-Type" and "Oz" stickers will be in town... yippee) and see what sort of parts folks have for sale there... besides.. I just bought a laptop so I could do Windoze work at home, so I'm holding off on more big purchases for awhile.