Hey all! I have a 1989 F-150 extended cab XLT Lariat 4x4 with the 351. My dad just put it under my name cause he is tired of paying insurance for me now that i am 23. It is not in the best of running conditions but it still screams like a beast when in full throttle. I want to get it as close to original running condition as possible, but also want to throw on some goodies, such as headers and exhaust and maybe some cams. What would you guys suggest i do? Thanks
-Rob

 

Post some pictures...

 

No worries, ill post some tomorrow, dont have any right now.

 

I'd start with a good ol tune up, Plugs,wires,fuelfilter and cap and rotor. Then a good exhaust system with headers ( Long tube headers will get you the most power) I'd do this first then see if you would want a cam. A cam would help a fair bit since the stock ones are useless

 

get you a set of the plane autolite plugs, and wires doesnt matter a whole lot as long as there a good name and meet the right specs, but i like the napa beldin wires. then distributor cap and rotor. insulate your stock air induction system(dont get a cai) and long tube headers will help quite a bit. do you want true dual or catback exhaust? check the timing, stock is 10*, you could bump it up a few degrees(like to 13*) without requiring higher octane gas.

 

Im confused a little on the distributor cap and rotor, what do i do there? Also i think i may just skip on the headers cause they are actually fine cause my dad and i took them apart a while back, so maybe a catback exhaust or just flowmaster muffler from the cat, i dunno, what would you suggest?

 

for the cap and rotor- i was just saying do them too with a known name.you dont need anything special for a stock engine so napa, motorcraft, or most other aftermarkets are good.

for the exhaust- just cut the old muffler off and put a new one on and either get universal tailpipes for it or have a shop make them and have them exit however you want. i personally like the flowmaster original 40 series and the super44 the best for these engines.

for stock engine performance exhaust setup- 1 high flow cat, 3" midpipe, and single in single out straight through muffler(magnaflow, borla, corsa, dynomax to name a few). but it wont make that noticeable of a difference than stock.

 

OK gotcha. Well we'll just have to sit and wait cause i have no inflowing cash right now. But updates to come when things happen.

 

Welcome to life!

 

I know right?!

 

Here are some pics of The Beast for those that wanted them, it was at night so not the best but all i've got so far.