how do i get better performance cheap? - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

mark2002 · 06-30-2002, 04:47

ive got a 89 EA which is stock accept a 2.5" exhst and i was woundering what the best thing i could do to my car to get better performance cheeply?
i looked around for a power chip but i got quoted $650.

russellw · 06-30-2002, 04:55

Welcome to the Forums Mark. If you do a search in this section you will find a large number of threads that deal with low cost mods to EAs.
Cheers
Russ

Troutman · 06-30-2002, 05:31

Hi Mark. As mentioned above, there is a lot of info around. The biggest 'bang for your buck' (assuming your car is automatic) is a manual transmission conversion for around a grand installed. This will also benefit fuel consumption.

VanGelder · 06-30-2002, 05:35

For about $1000 you can have a 3.45:1 LSD installed.
I think Chubbz who is also on this forum had this done to
his EF.

Knight · 07-01-2002, 08:37

His fairmont may have had that as standard?

My mums does

Bass Crazy · 07-01-2002, 20:31

3.45..... I WISH!!!

The EA only came out with a 2.77LSD... not 3.45, and let me tell ya, the 2.77 diff is a bloody performance demolisher.
Get the thing out of there.

Troutman · 07-01-2002, 20:32

To my knowledge, only the XR6s ever had 3.45 diffs standard. However, I understand LSDs of taller ratios were fitted to the E-series Ghias with the exception of the EF series I.

EDFUTURA · 07-02-2002, 03:43

If you're working extremely budget-mindedly then you might consider a non LSD 3.45 diff change. Be aware tho that with a 4 spd auto the shift schedule will be out of whack unless you put in an XR6 ECU. The result will be that the trans will act like you're going up hill all the time (ie. early kickdown etc.) - it makes Economy behave like Power mode and Power mode becomes ridiculous.

IMO bottom line best bang for buck in your car would be $500 spent on a Mock cam (add maybe $100 to have a mechanic fit it if you can't). Probably a Dev 3 would be the go or maybe even a Dev 4 - you'd need to talk to them. Even without extractors you could probably talk em into selling you a cam as long as you understand you won't get as great an improvement as with proper extractors etc. There will be marked improvement over std tho.