Performance Question

Good Afternoon. I have asked many novice questions here. Now, I’m looking to make my all stock TC a bit peppier and cleaner. After 30 years of off and on drive I guess things get sluggish. She still has the original factory mufflers and injection system. I’m looking for engine performance. With that said-I’ll be leaving that EEC alone. Don’t need a cel. What would you do?

You can read about simple modifications to your TC here—Beginner Mods for More HP , which I am slowly following (next up for me: K&N air filter). This article is found right here on NATO.

The reason I like these is they are relatively minor mods that won’t set you back a lot of cash (except the exhaust ones)...but, in the case of the Gillis Valve, the performance boost (pun intended) is immediate.

the single best, and cheap mod you can make is to install a Gillis type boost control valve to increase the boost a few psi. Assuming you have the original IHI (Warner Ishi) turbo, dont go much over 16-17 psi.

Excellent advice as always. I have the filter. A bit of a noticeable change. I’m going to get the valve and work up from here. My thoughts are to replace the stock fuel pump sooner rather than later too. There does not seem to be a lot of brands to chose from these days. Any recommendations for brand and lp/gal hour? Thank you.

My thoughts are to replace the stock fuel pump sooner rather than later too. There does not seem to be a lot of brands to chose from these days. Any recommendations for brand and lp/gal hour? Thank you.

That question is well answered in the link to the Performance Mods article, from my previous reply:

“A lot of us run Walbro brand pumps. They come in 155, 190, 255 and 255 HP liter per hour capacity. The 190 is good choice for the above mentioned modifications, but if you are shooting for big HP and high boost, go straight for the 255HP (high pressure). It is made to deliver volume at high pressure, a necessity for high boost applications.”

Please see the article for more information, including links to suppliers that offer better pricing (according to the article).

Thanks all for your input. I’ll take all into consideration when making best for choice.

for what you want, the stock fuel pump is fine, til it dies - or is the limiting factor somehow -
until then .. save yur $;

spend it on things which will actually *change* the performance..

dunno what you got for an exhaust system ?
if it's stock, then it needs upgraded - 'opened up'
free horsepower there to be had !

get an A/F gauge ! EVERY Turbo car - stock or modded- should have one !
a cheap narrow-band is better than none until you can afford a wide-band..
among other things you can monitor yuor 'fuel pump health' with it ...

I went through the same route two years ago with mine, all stock 88 5 speed. First was the K&N in the fenderwell, Gillis, then all new stinger exhaust with no cat. I have to say, it was a really good runner with that set up and the factory IHI. Would pull great to about 5200 then drop off. You will find lots of good advice here.