Basics: '78 F100 Custom, SWB, 2WD, C6, 351W (transplanted into it), 4 bbl Holley (for now, Edelbrock 1406 soon), Edelbrock 2181 Intake, Edelbrock Performance Cam Shaft, PS, no A/C...(Engine and Transmission came out of an '85 Club Wagon XL, freshly rebuilt with less than 3,000 miles on it)

Hope/Desire: Truck runs great, would like that little extra "pop" of power when the pedal is pressed to floor.

Currently: Currently it has good power, but it takes it a second or two to kick in...currently, it doesn't have a kick-down installed. Have been looking for one, but haven't found one for it as of now...not sure on the gear ratio in the rear, but it doesn't appear to be changed. I am running 255/70/15's and I use it as my daily driver, (only about 30 miles round trip 3-4 days a week).

Hopefully my desire comes across clear, if not, ask, and I will try to explain or answer any questions...

Thanks

 

NOS!! That should give you a boost.

 

Thanks Shooter...I'll save that one for later!

Does my "request" make sense?

 

I noticed you didn't mention your truck running headers. A good set will help it breathe much better. The stock manifolds are very restrictive.

OJ

 

The C6 takes quite a bit of power to run...anywhere from 20-30hp. When I converted to a manual from a C6, I could immediately tell the difference in power. If it weren't for the fact that the C6 you have was recently rebuilt, I'd say to look for a built C4 with a shift kit.

Other than that, a kickdown rod would make a big difference. It certainly seems like you have plenty of power going on under the hood. The low-rise manifold you have should give you enough grunt in the usable range, depending on the specs of the cam you have in it. You didn't mention those. Still, if you punch it without a kickdown you can't expect it to put you back in the seat. You'll probably be surprised how it responds when you finally do get one on there.

You also didn't mention what kind of exhaust is on it currently.

 

Well you have a ton of options with that engine since most of whats available for 5.0 Mustang will apply to your engine as well. I've had a bunch of 5.0 Mustangs and have done about every mod available including strokers, NOS and superchargers. My 92 Mustang is stroked and blown hense my screen name.
In my opinion a good place to start for you is underdrive pulleys and 1.7 ratio roller rockers. Those are both cheap and easy to install. I also have a stock 85 GT. I did add the rockers and went back to the track then added pulleys and went back to the track. I could tell the difference with each of them based on seat of the pants feel and quarter mile times. If you want to tear into it more theres always heads and cam. They cost a lot more and its more involved but will also add a bunch more power. I usually like stiffer valve springs with the rockers but you can probably get by if you're not running a bunch of RPM.

 

I have a set of Hedman Headers, but really can't decide if I want to go with them or not...I've heard good and bad, good, they allow it to breathe better; bad, they put out more heat, aren't as quiet as the manifolds, and have issues with leaking gaskets...

I use it as a daily driver, don't plan on racing it, and would like to be able to think inside the cab without having to have earplugs, thoughts on that subject are welcomed.

As far as exhaust (this is really sad) when I pulled the engine from the van, I cut the pipes above the "Y" connector planned on keeping them attached, but ended up having to remove them to get it in the truck, re-attached them, then I bought some flex pipe to connect to the existing pipes on the truck. Long story to say this, currently it has straight pipes with "cherry bombs" that are super rusty, and have probably been on their for many years. My plans are to within the next few weeks to have new exhaust ran, I really would like a nice lower rumble, Magnaflows or Flowmasters, and having them running straight out the back with a cross over "H" pipe and chrome tips...I know that will help some...just waiting on funds to come in to get it done...

 

I don't think you'll experience anymore noise running headers with something other than a cherry bomb. I run Flowmaster 50s and it's not too bad. As for heat, you can always wrap the headers with exhaust wrap. I hear that really keeps the temp down.

 

So is it really worth the extra HP (the headers I have are shorty headers), so will I be able to get much more HP...also will it help or hinder MPG, again it is a daily driver, and thus I am going with the Edelbrock Carb, due to the size differences in the ports, as opposed to the Holley that the ports are all the same size. Any recommendations on wrap brands if I decide to go with the headers and then the best gaskets to go with...

 

One other question in relation to the kickdown rod...where can I find one? The van didn't have one installed, and thus I didn't put one on it when I swapped it into the truck. The 351M I had in the truck didn't have one either...where to find one? or go with a cable system from ????

 

Doesn't your C6 have a vacuum modulator and not require a rod at all? If you needed a rod but didn't have one you'd know, it would be horrible to drive.
And I would not be concerned with header heat at all. I never heard any horror stories relating to the extra heat.
What kind of shorties are you currently running?

 

You could use a lokar kickdown cable kit for the trans... all it requires is flipping the kickdown lever on the trans the opposite way....

Also a ram air cold air cleaner is a cheap way to boost power.....

 

Well my C6 has a Kickdown Lever on it, not sure about the vacuum modulator, don't remember hooking a vacuum hose up to anything coming off of the transmission...I currently have a 9" oval air cleaner (exposed, not in the OEM setup), what would be the advantage of the Ram Air? Would I be better suited to go up to a 14" Oval Air Cleaner?

 

Google - C6 kickdown cable -

Ram effect forces more air thru the carb -- Cold air outside of the radiator flow is more dense ...

Example -- Ram Air Box

There are other suppliers as well for cold air cleaners..... look on ebay or such..

 

3.89 gears
3000rpm stall
Performer RPM intake
Exhaust (1.625 primarys/2.5" pipe)

Those will probably be your best bang for the buck upgrades. Make sure your timing is set and your carb is working well.

Depending on budget, you'll probably want to go to a larger set of heads and cam later on down the road.