A little more get-up

[a600sprintracer]

I have a '88 bronco. 351w bored .030 over with K&N. 4in lift 35-12.5 mud king tires on 15x10 wheel (soon to be 36-12.5 thornbirds w/16 or 17x10 wheels). 4.56 gears. AOD tranny. Its not that slow as it is and I know that with the big tires and what not its not gunna be a speed demon. Just looking for some more get-up. Motor mods? Shift kit? Just looking for some suggestions. Oh and I also currently have true duals with 40 series flows dumped before the rear axle (on stock manifolds so obviously headers will be one suggestion). Also I think the whole "dog-leg" rearend is stupid so also looking for suggestions as far as limited-slip, lockers, ect.

 

[bluesman17]

headers :-"

 

[Bully Bob]

Maybe a Corvette.....? / Emergency turns with a hig-speed lifted veh. ------ well, you know the rest of the story. [-X

 

[hms79]

What are you looking for? Is it a dog and you are afraid to pull out on the highway until it is totally clear? It is obvious that a vehicle as big as a bronco will never be a race machine, at least you aren't going to outrun any Mustangs. If you have low end power, and she has no trouble in the funky stuff, I would say you are fine. BullyBob is right, you'll turn it over! :-&

 

[Broncoholics]

You should try that electric super charger for uh, I think $70-80 and see how what works and let us know. Its suposed to add 20-30hp. Seems like a joke but I could see adding a few extra pounds of air pressure down the intake would give more power & better gas milage.

Its not the Hurricane, if I remember right, its a high speed fan that bolts in line of the air intake tubes. Race cars use two in a row for more power. Sure you can get a Paxton and add 100hp but the cost is $3000.

 

[a600sprintracer]

I realize its not a race machine and am not looking for one cuz i have one (360 sprint car). I'm just looking for a little more low end and a lil more kick down power.

 

[Justshootme84]

A set of shorty headers may net you 5-10 HP, but help the motor breath a bit better. A good HP mod for the money would be a camshaft swap to an RV or truck/pulling cam. Just don't get too radical as it will throw off the ECm and not have enough vacuum. I do think the AOD is the real "dog" in your driveline. Try a search for that model tranny to see what changes you can do, like a shift kit or internal upgrades, without burning it up too fast. There are also many upgrades you can do to the Ford 8.8" rear axle, one being adding a Traction-Lok or other limited slip unit.

The other point is just a reminder, but often overlooked. Keep the engine well-tuned. Things like the fuel filter, spark plugs, sensors, etc. can easily rob power and often need service more often that you think. I just changed the fuel filter on my 98 truck. IT only had about 20K miles since the last one, but was totally clogged up. Put in a new one, and now it hauls & gets!!!

 

[a600sprintracer]

Oh just for info I have a 9in rear end

 

[Justshootme84]

With the swapped-in Ford 9" rear ,you have a few more options. You can install a spool to lock the axle shafts together, but it can be ******* the tires if you drive much on pavement.

 

[a600sprintracer]

Well it's my DD so yes it gets drivin on the pavement quite often. How does just a limited slip/posi rear end do with the big tires?

 

[Broncoholics]

How does just a limited slip/posi rear end do with the big tires?

Not very well. Large tires have to much traction for a posi and it will slip. A selectible locker might be the way to go so you have traction when needed.