ok i just bought a project 3.8 liter mustang convertible. it has a decent take off but I want MORE and i have no idea on what to do to make it take off faster. I've read that changing air filter to a high performance but then again i think that only gives you like 1hp. so i'm kindda stuck i wish i would have bought a GT instead but now i got this and i'm trying to do the best that i can with it but don't know where to start.HOW CAN I GET MORE TORQUE OUT OF MY STOCK MUSTANG?this is a bit of a big questuion to answer i mean there so many different answers depending on budget, knowledge, and how big you want to go. obviously a 302 swap would be the way to gain the most but might not be the way you want to go. A good tune up (plugs, wires, cap, rotor) helps if its an auto a trans service will make sure its tranfering the power better. check the gear ratio in the rear end im guessing its 3.73 which is what i run in both my stangs but you could go up to a 4.11 gear for a bit more launch off the line. clean air filter for sure. maybe have a fuel system cleaning done. everything ive said so far minus the gears or swapping in a 302 is not a %26quot;power adder%26quot; its more of a way to bring it back to the way it ran new. as for adding some power nitrous is a personnel favorite of mine (way better than the movies) but it can lead to premature engine failure if you go to big or if you dont build the motor to handle the bigger shot. you could try lightening up the car a bit. the convertable is heavier than a regular mustang any weight you can get out of it will help your launch. exaust is a good place to start to.putting a larger exaust on will help the motor breath as well as make it sound better.
like i said you have to make a desicion on how far you want to go and then commit to it. with ANY car the amount of money you can spend is endless and i find the only way to save any is with mechanical knowledge and smart decisions about what you want to achieveHOW CAN I GET MORE TORQUE OUT OF MY STOCK MUSTANG?get a cold air intake.
it will load you up with horsepower.
get nice sticky tires.
unload it from some weight. stangs are heavy. make it light!
if you dont use the back seats take them out!, get rid of your extra wheel in the back.
get a new header, performance one.
get a new exhaust. the wider the better.
good luck manHOW CAN I GET MORE TORQUE OUT OF MY STOCK MUSTANG?K and N FIPK adds about 7 hp AT THE WHEELS, this is about 10 hp at the crank. Try having your heads ported, (also more airflow). This can be done with a Dremel/rotary tool and is only labor and a gasket kit (to put the heads back on) . Exhaust headers, downpipe, performance cat and muffler will also help. These should also make your car more fuel efficient as well. The first 2 are cheaper, and the exhaust stuff can be done a little at a time.
Don't just change the filter, change the intake setup to pick up cold, dense air.
