Topic: hi i am new and i am super happy cause i am workin on my first mustang

[hector]

hello i live in san diego and i am workin on my first 1965 mustang coupe. i have question and hopefully  somebody can help.I rebuilt my 289 engine and i was wonderin what else i can do to it with a budget in mind.I got a four barreel carb with a intake manifold kit and what do u sugest ia can do to it

[Soaring]

Hello Hector, and welcome to the site.  As I understand it, you have a 65 289 4V.  So, what are your questions? 

[hector]

what can i do to make the car go faster without changin that engine

[Tim175]

Welcome to the site. Good to see another California member. There are tons of things you can do as far as engine mods. Bigger cam, headers, electronic ignition, aluminum intake/heads, bigger carb etc.

[66GTKFB]

Welcome from Northern California. As Tim mentioned there is a lot of things you can do to make any car go faster. I would be more concerned about making it stop first - as in brakes, suspension, tires. Remember, "Speed cost money - how fast can you afford to go"?
Jim

[Tim175]

I totally agree. What's the point of having all the power if you can't stop or handle it

[Soaring]

Plus the body can't handle much more power than what it came with from the factory.  Work on making the frame more worthy for more power like installing sub frame connectors and such before adding more power than the body can handle. 

[hector]

first of all i want to thank all u who responded i am glad i can get help from people that know what there talkin about. the first thing i did was change the front brakes to disks and i got that suspension kit so ive replaced all the suspension so i think im in the right direction so what will changin the eletric ignition do for me

[Tim175]

The electronic ignition will do several things. The most important is that you can gap your plugs more for a bigger spark for more power. It also eliminates the points system which is a major pain in the ass.

[66GTKFB]

Get a Pertronix I and the Pertronix coil.  That combination fixed a multitude of minor problems on my 66 "A" code hardtop. The Pertronx II is waste of money unless you are a full time racer and have a lot of bucks to use up. 
Jim

[Soaring]

Before you add any power to the engine, replace the rear gears. Step up to either 355's or 373's.  What transmission do you have?

[hector]

okay i will look in to the petronix 1 and petronix coil and as far as my transmission i really dont know the guy that sold me the car said that he had just replaced it. how do i find out what kind of tranny it is. thanks

[Tim175]

Well first is it an automatic? If it is then its a c4 (most likely).

[Soaring]

If it is an automatic, look at the pan.  If the pan is square, it's a C-4.  If the pan looks like the state of Utah, then it is a C-6.  If it is a manual tranny, then it will be obvious.  If it only has 3 forward speeds, then it is a 3 speed manual.  If it has four, then it is a four speed manual.  If it has 5 speeds then the previous owner had to do some serious alterations to get it in there, and that would be an AOD (overdrive)  most likely.  Let us know what you have so we can help you further. 

[Tim175]

Yeah i didn't mention the AOD or T5 conversions because i assumed it was stock but i probably should have

[hector]

so i found out that i have a c4 auto the guy thatsold the mustang to me said he rebuilt the tranny and had a bnm shift kit. dont know what tha is but he says it is a little upgrade. apreciate the help

[Soaring]

That is one tough transmission.  Keep it.  Look into getting some gears for the rear end.  You most likely have an 8" pumpkin, but the PO may have put in a 9".  Get back with us if you don't know the difference. 

[hector]

your right i dont know what that means but im sure i can learn

[Tim175]

Does the rear end housing have a "hump" on the back for it? If it does than it is a 9". Also if you can put a socket on the two bottom bolts of the differential than its an 8" because if it is a 9" you cannot put a socket on it, you have to use a wrench.

[Soaring]

Yeah, the 8" is round.  The 9" has a protruding "hump" on the back of it.  Most likely yours is an 8" like mine.  They are tough differentials and can take a lot of abuse.  When you find a nickel in a pig track, take the car to a differential shop and have them install a 3:55 gear.  You will notice a big difference in your launch after that.  Right now, you most likely have the 2:78 gears.  Those are great for everyday use, to include highway driving, but lack in performance from light to light.  Don't try to install the gear yourself.  It's just too complicated.