Need Help Upgrading '93 Convertible

[jackson1]

i need some help upgrading my mustang-it's slow and weak, but i really dont know where to start to fix it up. I figured i should replace the v4 engine with something a little stronger, but i have no idea where to get that stuff, and hope somebody could tell me what i should do to upgrade my car. If i get a new engine, what would i need to replace to make it work right?
I have a 1993 Mustang LX convertible, and any help is greatly appreciated. As far as i am aware, everything is stock. It's getting kind of old, since it has 118,000 miles on it so i figure a new engine would fix it up nicely, but am unsure what all would be involved with getting a new engine.

[LB Dinh]

I didn't know they made V4s...you mean V6? Just save your money, sell this car, and buy a newer car...no upgrades necessary.

[HiFlow5 0]

Well it would be easier to sell the car and buy a V8 it. If you want to do a engine swap, there will be more to do then just swapping a motor. Take a look at my other post http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/t101718.html

If you really wanted to you could slap a turbo on that baby!! Just fing an old T-bird Turbo Coupe and swap it's whole motor over. Which is the same motor, just with a turbo and such.

[REAL PERFORMANCE]

you have many options.

The very first thig you should do is set your budget. To do this price all the parts that you believe you will need list them all, then double it.

You would probobly be better off selling that car and getting a V8 car.

If you want to spend a little mor money you can swap in either a junkyard motor or a crate motor into your car.

if you want to spend too much money you can swap in a 351 based motor.

I recomend just getting a stock 5.0 mustang coupe (convertable is to heavy as civic is to slow)

[LB Dinh]

Originally posted by REAL PERFORMANCE

I recomend just getting a stock 5.0 mustang coupe (convertable is to heavy as civic is to slow)

Convertibles tend to be 300-400lbs more.

[REAL PERFORMANCE]

agreed that doesnt seem like a lot of weight, but when you throw it into a chassis that isnt as rigid, it feels like alot more. I would definately go with a coupe for performance. But for cruiser status the vert is way cooler. It all depends on what you really want.

[jackson1]

yeah man, cruisin's what it's all about- it's just annoying since the car is so damned weak. I suppose any change is a welcome change- how about some cheap mods that would increase the power? i don't really need a racer, just at least some power.

[REAL PERFORMANCE]

a 50 shot of nitrous would do the trick.

Try looking in the junkyard for a turbo 4-cyl. motor. Buy one and slowly start building it up. I know you can make over 400hp with the SVO stang motor. Other than that i dont know whta to tell you..

All the standard HP theories still apply. Open up your engines intake and exhaust flow. Lower the amount stress that is applied to the engine(bypass your ac with a short belt. Increase your rear gearing.

[HiFlow5 0]

Check out Racer Walsh. They have tons of parts for the inline 4 cylinder. Headers, cam, race prepped motors, turbo's etc.

[5.0VIPERMAN]

Man, everyone rags of convertibles but I don't think they're that much slower. I've raced many hatchback 5.0's some with more mods than me and beat them. My friend has a hatchback with a good bit more done to his and we race all of the time. I've never lost to him. But then again, every 5.0 convertible I've ever raced (besides one with nitrous) has gotten beat by a good bit. Maybe I've just got a stronger than usual motor?

[RickB]

I have an 89lx vert and love it. Sure I could go faster in a coupe but I love my vert. I have well over $15k in engine, blower, aod(built), stereo.... how much are you looking to spend?? You could do it for not too much, depending on your idea of 'too much'.

[Unit 5302]

With the weight disadvantage, the vert will give up about 3 tenths in the 1/4 vs the hatch. Now, whether or not you consider that to be much is up to you.

The 93 2.3L I-4 is a really weak engine in terms of performance; however, it is classified as a Hamster, due to it's rating over 100hp. Be thankful you don't have the earlier 2.3, which classifies as a Gerbil with 88hp.

My advice is to sell it and get a V-8 vert. It's really too bad Ford didn't offer anything in between the anemic 2.3 and the 5.0 to fill the gap.