Ignition replacements for NA '97 vert

[boss281]

I did some searches on upgrades on plugs, wires and coil packs, but it seems most of you guys have done a lot of work and pushing serious horsepower. I've added a BBK plenum, throttlebody and intake, and, Magnaflow muffler and Mac Prochamber, but I'm only pushing 200hp at the wheels on this 75k mile daily driver. It's beginning to run a little rough, so I thought I'd do some maintenance.

I'd like to replace the plugs, wires, coil packs, fuel injectors, and thermostat. Any recommendations for an NA car like mine? I'm not likely to do the PI intake/cam upgrade until next summer, so I just want a smooth running car over the winter.

Thanks in advance.

John

 

[Jrgunn5150]

Stock coil packs, MSD wire's and regular autolite plug's saw me to 500 hp.

 

[NERD]

Stock coil packs, MSD wire's and regular autolite plug's saw me to 500 hp.

+1

 

[boss281]

Stock coil packs, MSD wire's and regular autolite plug's saw me to 500 hp.

Thanks, that's all I need to know.

John

 

[Whitepony]

i Would just get the msd coil packs and FRPP plug wires :xmassign:

 

[steedastang]

I run stock coils and frpp wires. Copper plugs work well too but dont last as long. May want to check your O2 sensors as well.

- Matt

 

[cmher18]

i Would just get the msd coil packs and FRPP plug wires :xmassign:

Dont buy MSD Coil Packs..... I had them on and im make right around 500rwhp right now. And with the msd it wouls Miss bad right when i hit boost. I put my stock packs back in. And now running 6400rmps with 15psi...

 

[Jrgunn5150]

i Would just get the msd coil packs and FRPP plug wires :xmassign:

Dont buy MSD Coil Packs..... I had them on and im make right around 500rwhp right now. And with the msd it wouls Miss bad right when i hit boost. I put my stock packs back in. And now running 6400rmps with 15psi...

I've heard alot of that, that's why I never got them.

 

[boss281]

Ok, we are talking Autolite 764 plugs, MSD Superconductor (stock boot style???) 8.5mm plug wires, and stock-type coil packs (from Ford only?). Any rec's for fuel injector replacements?

John

 

[Jrgunn5150]

Ok, we are talking Autolite 764 plugs, MSD Superconductor (stock boot style???) 8.5mm plug wires, and stock-type coil packs (from Ford only?). Any rec's for fuel injector replacements?

John

You got it dude, you shouldn't have to replace your injector's at your mileage, the pcv and fuel filter should be, and the IAC and EGR should be cleaned out though.

If you want new injector's (I would seriously do this last, I doubt you need them, they don't get dirty as often as infomercials would have you beleive), shop around for new Ford unit's.

As for plug's, there's no reason for you not to use platinum, the only reason I did not was that it tends to break down under high cylinder pressures, which I had and you don't, my Cobra has stock platinum plug's in it now, Motocraft AGSF32FM.

Your plug's are probably the main reason the car is running rough, they claim 100k for them, but it's more like 40, in my experience. You may also want to replace the front o2's, again, Ford unit's last the longest here.

 

[cmher18]

Did u say u need injectors? How much power u making? What r your plans down the roan

 

[boss281]

Did u say u need injectors? How much power u making? What r your plans down the roan

I picked up the car a year ago November with 55K on it. It's now sitting at 75000 miles, and the engine is starting to run a little rough. I just thought I'd do a clean sweep and replace all "maintenance" type parts, and fuel injectors was one of the things that came to mind. Anyhow, so far the consensus is Autolite plugs, MSD wires, factory coil packs, EGR, fuel filter, PCV, and MAYBE the injectors.

As for future plans, right now I'm dumping mod money into my '05 Mustang to prepare for a new racing season in March, but in the summer 2008 I've got listed for the '97:

Livernois PI improvement intake manifold/installation kit
Comp Cams (can't remember which one but it was mild and would clear the stock pistons)
BBK headers and catted h-pipe
replace all convertible top seals (leaks in a hard rain at the side window midpoint)
white face gauges
autometer pod and water temp, oil pressure and trans temp gauges
17x10.5 out back with wider rubber
Clean and LIGHTLY dress up the engine bay
decent headlight replacements that don't look like they came from the rice factory
Cobra or cowl hood

See my signature for link to all mods (page 2 on cardomain).

I'm not likely to do the heads unless I come across something cheap, and a poweradd (turbo, s/c or nitrous) just isn't part of the plan for now. The goal is 275rwhp NA, and that should be just fine for tooling around in dry weather. Frankly, if I had another 5k for a s/c I'd put it into a new paint job. The original owner was in Texas and lived down a gravel road--the finish is a mess in places. I love the Pacific green color and would stick with that.

Sorry for all the lame questions folks but I'm a transformed Mopar/Chevy guy. We got our first Mustang in 2004, and now have 4 in the family (two for me, 1 each for my boys)--we've gone through one fox body and sold it, now have a second getting built for street/strip. Still learning the ropes on the 302 and 4.6 liters.

John

 

[Jrgunn5150]

Your plan is pretty solid actually, and your goals are realistic, so welcome and enjoy!

 

[Petek]

NGK iradiums, and FRPP 9mm wires made a night and day difference in the way my car ran. i would take care of the plugs, and wires before buying new coilpacks, just incase you dont need them.

 

[Shifty Powers]

FRPP wires FTMFW!!! dunno what plugs i put into the car