QuestionHi, just got everything working again on my car and am now ready to impove it.Iwas wondering what would be the best and cheapest way to improve the acceleration of the car without messing with top speed and not changing the body
AnswerHello Alex,
There are a couple of recommendations and thought processes I recommend to folks wanting to hop up a basically stock vehicle affordably and reliably. And my version of performance is less what can be measured on the dyno (although it can be) and more by the seat of the pants. I'm also assuming you're running a 289 2BBL V-8 although these pointers could be applied to the six also:
Make sure your basic setup is optimal: Basically check your tune up spec., timing, carb. adjustments, vacuum, filters etc. are within spec. You'll be surprised but folks find horsepower and response improvements just making sure the engine's running right. A properly tuned 289 of your vintage should idle almost perfectly smooth when tuned correctly stock.
Next, improve the base by switching to full synthetic engine oil and eventually synthetic for all other fluids. Synthetic does reduce friction improving both gas mileage and power. Next, make sure your distributor bearings are within spec. and switch to full electronic ignition like Accel, etc. Not only will you be eliminating the potential reliability problem of point ignition, you'll be assuring a good, hot spark for a complete burn at all RPM levels. Finally, advancing the timing about 5 degrees or so (experiment but be conservative) will help inexpensively improve power.
Now, consider the old story that an engine is an air pump...anything you can do to improve intake and exhaust will help power and performance. Easiest to do on the intake side is invest in a K&N type filter.. They work!! Next (remember air filter may be different!) invest in a good 4BBL manifold and carb. Edelbrock makes some nice sets but there are many others. One caveat--the most common mistake that amateurs make is to overcarburating. Ask for advice matching carb--manifold--engine where you buy but even a 600CFM may be the max. for an essentially stock engine. Next on the intake side, a good street grind camshaft can really help wake your car up. Again, get advice in matchup and be conservative--getting additional low to mid-RPM power will help your seat of the pants acceleration achievement goal most for normal driving. Before replacing the camshaft, check out the health of your heads and valves. If questionable, invest in a valve job first and camshaft second--no sense putting racing tires on a Rambler!
Finally, take a look at exhaust. A modern set of dual exhausts will help horsepower about 5%, replacing exhaust manifolds with tube headers will add another 5% and really free up breathing besides making nice noises also.
Your 289 is rated at 200HP stock, the high performance 289 Ford offered in your car in 1966 had 271 but had a higher compression ratio than you (I'm not recommending a compression increase due to todays' gas.) Conservatively though, do all of the preceding and you can be looking at nearly this level of horsepower improvement while keeping a tractable, easy to live with engine, unlike the HIPO original. Why? 40 years of improvements in carburation, manifolding and exhaust are on your side. Go for it!
Best of luck,
Bob
