F-Body Modification Guide

This is a starting page for everything related to modifying your F-body. It is divided up into sections for each generation, and from there into type of modificaiton (performance, safety, appearance, etc). Note that Engine Modification is covered in a different section.

To get started, choose the generation you are interested in modifying:

• First Generation Modification Guide
• Second Generation Modification Guide
• Third Generation Modification Guide
• Fourth Generation Modification Guide

Or, read on for non-specific information.

General Modification

Engine

When modifying an engine, it's best to think of the entire engine as an air pump. Air is sucked in, and exhaust is pumped out. The more air your engine can suck in and pump out, the better. Practically every engine modification you make will fall under one of the following:

• increasing the amount of air being pumped through
• preventing the engine from damaging itself while pumping so much air
• improving efficiency

Intake

Intake modifications generally fall under increasing airflow and/or improving efficiency. During the intake stroke, the downward motion of the piston creates a vacuum. Air rushes through the filter, some plumbing, the throttle body, the intake manifold, and the intake ports of the heads in order to fill that vacuum. Each of these items provides some resistance to airflow. Reducing this resistance increases the amount of air that can rush into the piston before the intake valve closes.

Another common intake modification is the cold air intake. Colder air is denser, which means it contains more oxygen. More oxygen means more power from combustion. Most cars simply draw air from the engine bay, which is usually well over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. By relocating the air intake to draw air from outside the car, the engine gets access to the coldest air available.

The final intake modification is the ram air intake. This is a variety of cold air intake that takes advantage of the fact that the car is moving forward through the air. By locating the air intake on the front of the car (usually on the front of a hood scoop), the engine can take advantage of aerodynamic pressure. At speed, air is being "rammed" into the intake.

Exhaust

Like intake modifications, exhaust modifications generally fall under increasing airflow and/or improving efficiency. During the exhaust stroke, the upward motion of the piston builds pressure in the cylinder. Air rushes past the exhaust valves, the exhaust ports of the heads, the exhaust manifolds, and through a series of pipes, catalytic converters, and mufflers in order to relieve that pressure. Each of these items provides some resistance to airflow. Reducing this resistance increases the amount of air that can be removed from the piston in a single exhaust stroke.