Doc said:
What would you do motor wise if you had 4-5 thousand to spend on your motor? Would you buy a new motor, turbo, or supercharge?
You don't say what you want as an end result.
A fast street car that is loud?
A sleeper with decent performance?
All-out strip car?
Ya got to start there. What do you want.
Then you need to ask what 'kind' of performance you want.
Do you like to drag race from a stop?
Do you like to run from 60 to 100 time to time?
Do you want a dyno queen that sits in the garage?
Now after that analysis, you can start on your goals.
To do some performance upgrades on the cheap, you can do things like this.
Rear end. Leave it stock if you like to run the higher speeds only.
If you like to drag from a dig, you need to put some short of trac-loc in the rear end with at least 3:73's to 4:10's for better launches.
Soft tires with a AAA traction rating will be a must also. 255 series would help a bit more.
Moving towards the front.
Might as well put in a new fuel pump. Walbro or Focus seem to be the best bets for the Mark.
The stock driveshaft has its own problems with balance as is. If you stay with the stock gearing, leave it. New gears = new shaft unless you like to rattle your teeth which will get real old fast.
Transmission wise - cheapest route to go is the j-mod. Quickening the stock shift performance will add alot more longevity. That would be a must at the very least. A full-blown set of new clutches with a j-mod should set you up for whatever power gains you are looking for.
Motor - again depends on what your expectations are.
N/A route on your budget....
Daily driven street car? Pull your motor and have some new grinds put in. Higher compression pistons with rods and some new cams are almost a must if are trying to decent N/A power. You can pick up 25 horse with a Cobra intake over stock. You can pick up some decent power with some shorties and a decent 2-1/4 to 2-1/2 exhaust.
Power Adder route...
A dry-kit nitrous is the cheapest way to go if you are just looking for a burst of adrenaline now and again. Not much else to best except fuel pump, chip, injectors and the sauce.
If you are going to do a power adder, I'd just do a Vortech setup and leave the motor alone. Run it at 6-8 psi and enjoy until the motor gives it up. Then you can rebuild it.
Turbo...big money until someone makes a kit and can knock off 5 or more kits from a jig setup.
Twin-screw...pick up the Kenne Bell kit for the 4.6 4V. It is not intercooled and the 1.5L unit is only good for 400 rwhp tops but that should fit your budget if you don't touch the engine.
Got to run. All the time I have. Good luck with whatever you end up doing.
I just am curious and have the funds to do this.
