[babakkanoosh]

ok so i got a 1971 351ci 2v mustang as a present. My goal with the car is to be able to beat all the imports around my area, show the power of American Muscle. The car is in the shop right now where they are checking for leaks, cracks etc....

While the car was being checked i had some requests to give my baby some more umfaaaaa! they are going to put in a 4v edelbrok carb and a performance edelbrok intake manifold. I know that they are changing the car from points to electronic igintion and they are putting in a new distrubitor! i was thinking about putting in some e3 plugs and MSD wires and X piping the car for some sound.

Can anyone let me know what else i can do to increase performance keeping in mind that i just need to rock them in the 1/4 mile!!! or let me know if im doing something that i probably shouldnt.
Thanks

[Snake Pliskin]

Your goal is lofty if there are any imports around your area. To really wake your car up it needs aluminum heads that flow coupled with an appropriate cam. Shed some weight since 71-73 are heavy and throw the nitrous to it and you will get closer to your goal.

[Warrior 2011]

yea i agree with snake. get some aluminum heads and a cam to wake that 351 up. Btw i see your from around johns creek. Im up in Acworth near North Cobb High.

[Warrior 2011]

Btw you should put on some headers perferably long tubes.

[shagadoodle]

yeah i agree too Aluminum heads are the best upgrade if you just want to beat some ricers at the 1/4 mile. however if you want to really show em off with a wheelie stand or something that beats the crap out of them i'd go with a stroker kit along with those heads. Also aluminum heads aren't neccessary but you can use some performance cast iron heads too. Rhs makes some pretty cheap cast irons. Or maybe look around other forums i recently seen a set of edelbrock performer rpm cylinder heads for 700. not too bad for a good set of aluminums. just look around and you might find some deals

[babakkanoosh]

Thanks for the advice about how much do aluminum heads cost? and what would you say abotu X piping my car is that alright i wont lose any low end torque?

Acworth thats not far from JC at all maybe one day we could meet and mess around!!

[67ragtopStang]

If your goal is to beat all the imports in your area, take your '71 down to the Ford dealer and trade it in on a 2010 Shelby Super Snake or a Saleen. It'll cost too much to make that big heavy '71, out-perform those small, light, rack and pinioned Ricers.

[silver69]

dont let anyone tell you your 71's too big and too heavy.
first off how much money do you have to throw at this rice frying machine? That is the first step, develop a budget.
Lots you can do without aluminum heads although that would be real nice.
I say go to a 5 speed AUTOMATIC and a 4.30:1 posi setup for your 9" rear. Get a Hiolley 600 and an edelbrock 4bbl intake for your 2v heads and you will burn down most anything in your way.
The trans will be a 4R70W from a 98-2001 v6 mustang(350-500$ junkyard) Complete 4.30 third member (1200$)
Computer form Baumann engineering(becontrols.com) 250 intake 350 carb, duals with H pipe 450 - and finally a helmet to soften the blow of your brain smacking the back of your skull.

[67ragtopStang]

I was thinking about the cars in Fast and Furious, Tokyo Drift. That '67 Fastback with the ricer engine in it only won 'cause it was a movie. It was all over the road.

I just think you'll have to spend some serious money on suspension, steering, and brake upgrades. This is in addition to boosting the horsepower. If you have the money - great!

You have one thing over them from the get go, you've got a Mustang styling!

None of those ricers can compete with that.

[Snake Pliskin]

Originally Posted by babakkanoosh

Thanks for the advice about how much do aluminum heads cost? and what would you say abotu X piping my car is that alright i wont lose any low end torque?

Acworth thats not far from JC at all maybe one day we could meet and mess around!!

I think I would go with an H pipe on a 71 for that classic muscle car sound and torque will be better. Torque is the one thing you have going for you. In the quarter torque is king. I can't believe I forgot to mention long tube headers but have those hanging off your heads. Aluminum heads are over a grand unless you can craigslist a deal. The key is not to buy the biggest valved race heads but to get a good flowing set that work well with a cam that makes usable power in the 1500-6500 rpm range. For quarter mile action I would suggest a prepped c-4 with a fairly street friendly stall converter and trans brake. The weight issue won't go away by thinking thin. I have seen civics so light the owners walked to the back bumper and lifted the rears without much stress. Can you do that with your 71? I didn't think so. I'm sure there are still fiberglass hoods, fenders, and hopefully rear hatches for those 71-73 bodies from when they were in their hay day as drag cars. Remove the spare, jack and look at getting light weight wheels. Lastly I would say get gears....deep gears (4.30 or so) and sticky drag radial rubber. All this won't be cheap and your car may become seldom seen on the streets but you will beat all but the most hardcore in the quarter mile.

[2Manystangs]

Buy a killer stroker kit for that 351, I'm building one that will put out over 550 hp to the wheels...that's Detroit muscle!

[andrewmp6]

The 71-73 cars are about 3400lbs which is lighter then the newest mustang body style.If you want just straight line power get a 429 a c6 and a 9 inch.

[dodgestang]

Why on earth would I need to buy aluminum heads for a Cleveland motor?
You can make plenty of power with the 2vs you have on there. (assuming it is a cleveland which is what would have come in the car from the factory)

You need to set clear goals...rice frying isn't really clear. How about a 1/4 performance level you want to reach? Do you want it to just run fast straight...will it need to turn? Does it need to get 15 MPG or more? Are you going to drive it every day? How much do you have to spend?

[67ragtopStang]

babakkanoosh is 17 years old, and has been driving a year or so. When I was that age, I wanted to have the fastest car at school, and for a while, I did. My guess is that he wants a fast car with modern handling, to go along with the classic good looks of a "71 Mustang.

[silver69]

I think he has a great car with a great motor and money will drive the rest. what he is talking about is expensive. at least the 71 has good steering and a strong chassi with room to do alot of things. I think( for what its worth) he should get it street worthy and lean to handle this car in stock form and improve the car from there. 71-3 notchbacks are easy to drive, mach1's and sportsroofs are terrible when its time to channg lanes.
Andrew is right the new cars are bigger and much heavier than the 71+. I have an 03 gt conv that is just as long, wider and heavier than my 72, now my 70 charger rt that is a boat at 23 feet long, my 72 is 18+-? and 69 is 16+-
I think he better lean to drive with no antilock, trac. control. airbags, mediocre lights, 2 speed wipers and he damned well better wear his seat belt before he adds horsepower. And he should not street race wrecklessly everytime an import with a fart can muffler revs up their engine.
If this young man gets too much power too soon he wont be on this board with us in 10years.
I know I got all excited too but Im a gearhead just like the rest of you. if he want to build a drag car that is totaly different.
Sorry to rant guys,
Joe