Need More giddy up!

I have a 1973 ford maverick 4 dr. Car was inheireted from my granfather after sitting for about 12 years. Its got a standard V8/ 302. Its an automatic with manual steering. Everything is stock so far except for the new audio system I just had installed. I am not very inclined mechanically wise and was wondering if any one could give me some tips about how I should go about giving a little "muscle" to my muscle car. Any help would be greatly appreciated. -SEAN

 

new heads, carb, intake, headers...tons more options, it comes down to preference on how you want your car to drive...daily driver or...?

 

headers are usually the best bang for the buck. then maybe a 4bbl intake and carb

 

like the other said headers,4bbl carb with new intake,and a low restrictive exhaust will work great without breaking the bank.

 

Ya. It is a a daily driver

 

Start with headers. Then as time and $$ allows I would add intake and carb. The put attention to the rear end gears. I ran for a long time in high school with a 2 barrel holley with hedders. Ran pretty good til I saved enough for the intake and carb. Just my opinion.

 

yeah i forgot about the rear gears(although you have to what out for the RPM's)..i have 2.79 with 27" tires, bet it will be slooow

 

it sounds like your not ready to break the block open, so i'd just stick to the bolt on's. did 73's have electronic ignigton? i dont think so. might also be a good upgrade.

 

Thanks a bunch. This will def get me started. :Handshake

 

They also sell kits for 5.0 mustangs, some might work for an old 302.

 

The first thing you need to do with a 73 is to replace the carb. If you are going to add a new manifold and carb right away then go that route but if you are going to add headers first and then run it with the two barrel for a while replace the two barrel with a two barrel carb of a 302 powered 68 or 69 Mustang. They have larger jets than the 73 carbs and it will make the car run a lot better. If you bolt headers on the engine will run even leaner and you may need to jump the jet sizes up a couple of sizes. You can change jets in the carb even if you are not mechanically inclined - or you can get a friend to help. No more than three sizes larger but at least two sizes.

 

I'll go against the flow here and say changing the rear gears will give you the most seat-of-the-pants increase. 25 more horsepower from headers, carb and intake won't make much of a difference with 2.79 gears. I'd go with 3.25 if you do any interstate commuting. If not, and you just want acceleration, then 3.55.

Then, of course, headers, intake, carb, cam, heads, etc. as your wallet will permits.