I purchased a 1998 GT Convertible last week. It's 100% factory stock with 88k miles. I've searched the forums and come up with a few ideas on ways to increase the fun factor. Feedback is appreciated.
This one was made in 11/97 so it should have 205HP. I'm assuming it has the 2.73 gear ratio. To be honest this car is slower than my old 1.8T VW. Ford neutered this V8, and that's just wrong.
The first thing on my list is a gear swap. I found a local shop that specializes in American Muscle cars. They quoted me $450 for the install, I have to supply my own gears and fluid. I'm new to all of this. Is that a fair price? Is the differential gear fluid expensive? I was thinking about going to a 3.73 Ford Racing Gears. I don't want them to be any louder than necessary.
I know the speedo will be off afterwards. This car has an OBD II port. A hand held tuner would work to correct the speed, and allow the motor to be tuned for another 25HP?
Now comes the engine. This is the part that I'm pulling my hair out over. I know that Ford improved the 4.6L after 1998 with their P.I. motors. I've read that if I swap cylinder heads, cam shaft, and intake manifold off a 1999-2004 4.6L the car should be able to produce 260HP. Add a CAI, SCT tuner, and a dyno tune and the car should be nearing 300HP?
I've figured the P.I. swap should run $1000 for all the parts, and 1500 in labor? Initially for the CAI, I was going to put a high flow air filter in place of the stock one. A filter is a lot cheaper than a whole new cold air intake. I know it's not perfect, but it only has to make 300HP. I was also thinking about leaving the exhaust alone. Louder than stock isn't necessary.
The reason why I'm pulling my hair out over the motor upgrades is for $4k-$5k I can buy a brand new crate motor capable of 500HP. Before I know it I'll have $3k into this 4.6L SOHC motor, if not more. Spending even $3k is going to be a stretch for me. I'm not interested in turbos or superchargers.
What would you recommend? I'm aware that I haven't even mentioned the suspension. Which I can tell already needs new shocks and struts at a bare minimum. Still rolling on the factory originals. If I end up with a 500HP motor, the suspension would never be able to handle it safely without massive upgrades.
My head is spinning from thinking about all of this. I'm a novice mechanic, with limited tools. I'm willing to do as much work as possible, but I don't want this work done subpar.
HELP!
This one was made in 11/97 so it should have 205HP. I'm assuming it has the 2.73 gear ratio. To be honest this car is slower than my old 1.8T VW. Ford neutered this V8, and that's just wrong.
The first thing on my list is a gear swap. I found a local shop that specializes in American Muscle cars. They quoted me $450 for the install, I have to supply my own gears and fluid. I'm new to all of this. Is that a fair price? Is the differential gear fluid expensive? I was thinking about going to a 3.73 Ford Racing Gears. I don't want them to be any louder than necessary.
I know the speedo will be off afterwards. This car has an OBD II port. A hand held tuner would work to correct the speed, and allow the motor to be tuned for another 25HP?
Now comes the engine. This is the part that I'm pulling my hair out over. I know that Ford improved the 4.6L after 1998 with their P.I. motors. I've read that if I swap cylinder heads, cam shaft, and intake manifold off a 1999-2004 4.6L the car should be able to produce 260HP. Add a CAI, SCT tuner, and a dyno tune and the car should be nearing 300HP?
I've figured the P.I. swap should run $1000 for all the parts, and 1500 in labor? Initially for the CAI, I was going to put a high flow air filter in place of the stock one. A filter is a lot cheaper than a whole new cold air intake. I know it's not perfect, but it only has to make 300HP. I was also thinking about leaving the exhaust alone. Louder than stock isn't necessary.
The reason why I'm pulling my hair out over the motor upgrades is for $4k-$5k I can buy a brand new crate motor capable of 500HP. Before I know it I'll have $3k into this 4.6L SOHC motor, if not more. Spending even $3k is going to be a stretch for me. I'm not interested in turbos or superchargers.
What would you recommend? I'm aware that I haven't even mentioned the suspension. Which I can tell already needs new shocks and struts at a bare minimum. Still rolling on the factory originals. If I end up with a 500HP motor, the suspension would never be able to handle it safely without massive upgrades.
My head is spinning from thinking about all of this. I'm a novice mechanic, with limited tools. I'm willing to do as much work as possible, but I don't want this work done subpar.
HELP!