Improving Horsepower February 23, 2006, 06:49:10 AM I was given a one owner 85' 5.0 Cougar LS w/ a 4 barroll carb. I was interested in adding horsepower to it. Really don't know how about doing it. I would be interested in ways to improve, Thanks to any suggestions. I get tired of my friends saying it's pretty good. I would like to get a man thats fast, every now and then. Quote Selected
Improving Horsepower Reply #1 – February 23, 2006, 12:53:27 PM First and most important question, Has anything been done or is it bone stock, being its an 85 with a carb its had something done question is what?.. Next how much money are you looking at investing? Third question what are you capable of doing your self? Answer these see fi we can help you Quote Selected
Answers to Questions Reply #2 – February 23, 2006, 08:10:39 PM First and foremost i'm a beginner w/cars. Well, after reading a post somewhere, they said a(n) 85' has injection that looked like a carb. My grandfather said, it was a 4 barroll, he could have been deceived. If it has been tampered with, what should I look for? Well, I'm still a student, looking for a part-time job. Student loans help a little, here and there. I can make ways to get things here and there. Maybe a few hundred dollar investments between terms and semesters. I can learn how things start to work pretty quick, I believe with some research here and there. I could also gather some helping hands on some projects. Thank you for any suggestions. Quote Selected
Improving Horsepower Reply #3 – February 24, 2006, 10:09:43 AM First off, I would start with exhaust, any decent shop should be able to do it for about 200. Find out exactly what you have as far as engine, If you can post some pics. several of us could tell you if its air/fuel system is stock or not. From there we can put out heads toghether and give you some ideas. Problem is if you have a carb the computer has most likely been disabled or removed and the standard mods for tuning wont work. If it EFI there are a few things you can do to the computer and other mods to increase performance. Quote Selected
Thanks Reply #4 – February 24, 2006, 12:17:44 PM I'll get on that. I noticed your car pic, Nice. Are body kits for an 85' hard to find? Quote Selected
Improving Horsepower Reply #5 – February 24, 2006, 12:45:30 PM I would have to say yes, I saw to cars here that had them in junk yards, was going to pull them off but on closer inspection nothing was salaveable. I think there are other makes than what I have but I dont know the manufacturers Quote Selected
Opinion on option of mine Reply #6 – April 11, 2006, 04:09:21 AM Well, after I Called the man that sold the Cougar to my grandfather. I was informed that no carb conversion was done. Although the computer was replaced. The Cougar as of now is still in the shop having the exhaust, hood, Paint, and body kit applied. Although the main point would be Horsepower; furthermore, I did research and thought that a pretty good route to pursue, would include a Performance cam (1) 150, (2) 360. This would be applied because of the Edelbrock Pro-Flo Injection Kit, for the 85’ 302 small block. Which is reported or potentional increase horsepower to 350 - 450. Would that be a route worth taking? Especially if it will be a weekend car? Quote Selected
Improving Horsepower Reply #7 – April 11, 2006, 04:15:59 AM What's your budget exactly? If I'm not mistaken, those Edelbrock injection kits cost around $1,000. Another point to note, the CFI injection system installed stock in an '85 car will look a lot like a carburetor, in shape, size and the fact that it has 'barrels' and throttle plates, ect.What are you having done to the exhaust? Quote Selected
Improving Horsepower Reply #8 – April 11, 2006, 02:43:15 PM From here Quote from: 85Cougar5.0LSlooking for a part-time job. Student loans help a little, here and there. [..] Maybe a few hundred dollar investments between terms and semesters. to here Quote from: 85Cougar5.0LS The Cougar as of now is still in the shop having the exhaust, hood, Paint, and body kit applied. Although the main point would be Horsepower; furthermore, [..] the Edelbrock Pro-Flo Injection Kit, for the 85’ 302 small block.is a pretty long way money-wise. Wish I could go like that :hick: Quote Selected
Improving Horsepower Reply #9 – April 11, 2006, 06:37:53 PM get a performance distributor module and a chip. Quote Selected
Thanks for the Opinions Reply #10 – April 12, 2006, 01:56:11 AM Well, dual side exit. Money-wise, the first year of school I worked and did without maxing my loans. Odd jobs came around and a little car money from the school budget and family helped. God has blessed me. The Injection kit hasn't been bought, yet. It's just to tempting. Gotta love power, I can't wait til then. The tuned port cameros and etc... will be stunned. Quote Selected
Improving Horsepower Reply #11 – April 12, 2006, 11:12:33 AM I would honestly just swap or convert over to a roller rocker, and sefi. There is alot more power potential and more/better parts vs the CFI. Unless you wanna go carbed, I would go EFI. PS, a mustang engine is almost a direct swap, so take that into account. Quote Selected
Improving Horsepower Reply #12 – April 12, 2006, 11:21:11 AM Quote from: stuntmannickget a performance distributor module and a chip.There are serval other things that will improve performance far more than iginition or chips... Im 99.9% sure you won't find a chip for a '85 CFI model anyway...A good dual exaust system is always the first place to put money... Remember if the exaust can't get out, the engine ain't gonna be able to pull the air/fuel in... Quote Selected
Topic: Improving Horsepower (Read 1504 times)
previous topic - next topic
