Need more power!

[95_Mystique]

So, i went to the drag strip this weekend and i'm not happy enough. Best time was a 15.282 @ 89.92 mph.

My mod list includes:

03 Ford Escape 3L
02 Cougar heads
AEM short ram
MSDS Y pipe
19lb injectors
Optimized TB
Gutted main cat


I'm wondering, what else should i do for more power? Would i get more out of a Tune or headers? I dont want to go crazy on the exhaust though, i like my car being quiet, but i want to hit 14's. I'm also running stock weight. Is there much i can do to reduce weight without making the car look like my Mystique (gutted)

[FastFord]

I personally loooove headers, they will give you some power but without a main cat your exhaust will be pretty loud.

[striker2]

I would do headers, 24# injectors, and a tune.

[troll96se]

I would do headers, 24# injectors, and a tune.

this, with a full exhaust.

[95_Mystique]

this, with a full exhaust.

Read above. I dont want my car to be loud. But yea, headers and a tune would help a lot I'm sure.

[Klasky24]

On my 3L the thing that added the most power out of intake, decat, catback and headers/y pipe was the headers and y pipe. I think it would probably give you some good gains. Although im untuned on my portmatched setup so not sure what will give more

[YOOOO]

I would do headers, 24# injectors, and a tune.

This. But aren't all 24lb injects meant for oval ports? He has a hybrid

[99Mystique ATX]

This. But aren't all 24lb injects meant for oval ports? He has a hybrid

Nope, grab a set out of an 'older' taurus 3L with split port intakes/heads. Actually, thinking about it I may have a set in one of my parts bins, I'd have to check.

EDIT: I think I saw in your other thread you were having IMRC issues as well. I'd get that straightened out and get back to the track, you should definitely be well into the 14's on a Hybrid 3L... For reference I ran a 15.2 @ 91 or 92mph on a 2.5L with all the bolt-ons and a tune so high 14's should be easily doable. How was the track prepped? Problems getting the car to hook up? What was your 60' time?

[mrspindlelegs]

So, i went to the drag strip this weekend and i'm not happy enough. Best time was a 15.282 @ 89.92 mph.

My mod list includes:

03 Ford Escape 3L
02 Cougar heads
AEM short ram
MSDS Y pipe
19lb injectors
Optimized TB
Gutted main cat


I'm wondering, what else should i do for more power? Would i get more out of a Tune or headers? I dont want to go crazy on the exhaust though, i like my car being quiet, but i want to hit 14's. I'm also running stock weight. Is there much i can do to reduce weight without making the car look like my Mystique (gutted)

Well, you do need to do the following:

Headers
Larger exhaust - need bigger id going from the catalytic converter back to where the exhaust splits into the quasi-dual set-up. The stock resonator is a serious restriction.
Get the motor tuned

However, you need to address another restriction that nobody has pointed out: the cylinder heads. Why did you put 2.5L cylinder heads on a 3L block? The valves are bigger on the 3L heads:

2002 Cougar 2.5L Intake Valve = 1.26"
2002 Cougar 2.5 L Exhaust Valve = 1.023"
2003 Escape 3.0L Intake Valve = 1.378"
2003 Escape 3.0L Exhaust Valve = 1.181"

Get the right heads on your car to get the motor to breathe, add headers, address the exhaust restriction and then get a tune. You may or may not need to go with larger injectors. Some people do fine with the 19 lb injectors but the 3.0L technically needs larger (24 lb).

[95_Mystique]

Nope, grab a set out of an 'older' taurus 3L with split port intakes/heads. Actually, thinking about it I may have a set in one of my parts bins, I'd have to check.

EDIT: I think I saw in your other thread you were having IMRC issues as well. I'd get that straightened out and get back to the track, you should definitely be well into the 14's on a Hybrid 3L... For reference I ran a 15.2 @ 91 or 92mph on a 2.5L with all the bolt-ons and a tune so high 14's should be easily doable. How was the track prepped? Problems getting the car to hook up? What was your 60' time?

I'm not sure, but i'm thinking the IMRC was getting too hot and causing the secondaries to not stay open the whole time. I could feel the car kinda hesitating on the top end, like it wasnt getting enough air. When i popped the hood, the IMRC was almost too hot to touch, would that cause an issue?

I was averaging between a 2.3 and a 2.4 60', and that was pretty much rolling out of the hole (watch this video)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VoOrp...09AUAAAAAAADAA

Well, you do need to do the following:

Headers
Larger exhaust - need bigger id going from the catalytic converter back to where the exhaust splits into the quasi-dual set-up. The stock resonator is a serious restriction.
Get the motor tuned

However, you need to address another restriction that nobody has pointed out: the cylinder heads. Why did you put 2.5L cylinder heads on a 3L block? The valves are bigger on the 3L heads:

2002 Cougar 2.5L Intake Valve = 1.26"
2002 Cougar 2.5 L Exhaust Valve = 1.023"
2003 Escape 3.0L Intake Valve = 1.378"
2003 Escape 3.0L Exhaust Valve = 1.181"

Get the right heads on your car to get the motor to breathe, add headers, address the exhaust restriction and then get a tune. You may or may not need to go with larger injectors. Some people do fine with the 19 lb injectors but the 3.0L technically needs larger (24 lb).

I didnt build this motor, the car was bought with it. I'm not going to address the heads until i have to pull the motor again (just had it out for a trans replacement 3 weeks ago). As for the exhaust and tune, i guess those will be a couple of the first things on my list.