My first build

jmeador88 · Feb 17, 2011

Well I decided to keep my mustang! For those of you that don't know, its a 94 gt. Only thing done to it is the 3.73's. I am going to continue to drive it but I plan on purchasing a used block and build my very first engine. I am doing alot of research and getting many ideas, but just cant decide on a few things. This will be a slow build because of my income, but I plan on doing it right. Im kind of leaning toward a carbed motor. I am concidering a 306, 331..or possibly building a windsor 351. No nitrous, may concider doing a single turbo...I will be putting this on a stock 5 speed tranny (if it will hold). Would love to be in the 400-450hp range, and possibly into the 11's. Would love to get some input from you guys on which motor to go with, i have found some roller 302 blocks locally for $40 a piece. SO its pretty tempting..But let me know what you think, and I am sure I will have plenty of questions along the way. Thanks

Venom351R · Feb 17, 2011

The more cubes you have the easier it will be to get 400-450 but with boost it wont matter as much. Why do you want to go carb over EFI? Keep in mind a 351W swap is not a direct swap

rz5.0 · Feb 17, 2011

stay efi. specially for turbo.

jmeador88 · Feb 17, 2011

rz5.0 said:
stay efi. specially for turbo.

What is your car in your signature running in a 1/4? I was just thinking efi intakes, tb, maf, injectors, fuelpump, and any tuning to the computer would cost way more than a 4bbl manifold and 750 carb..I already have a holley blue if I do a carb set up.

All_Ford_Fun · Feb 18, 2011

Are you wanting it to be streetable? Track car?. Thats an awful nice car to just turn it into a track car. A carb motor won't be as streetable and the throttle will feel a bit spongy compared to a nice efi setup. A 331 is a healthy steetable motor and would make it fun to drive. Most guys will say to go to a 347 or go home. 347's are a bad little motor for what they are but don't seem to last as long as a 331. If you wanting to boost it just do a 306. No real need for more cubes when u can just turn up the boost alittle more. A 351 swap is a little challenging to do as I'm finding out the hard way lol. But it will defently be a stronger starting point if you want more power.

rz5.0 · Feb 18, 2011

jmeador88 said:
rz5.0 said:

stay efi. specially for turbo.

Click to expand...

What is your car in your signature running in a 1/4? I was just thinking efi intakes, tb, maf, injectors, fuelpump, and any tuning to the computer would cost way more than a 4bbl manifold and 750 carb..I already have a holley blue if I do a carb set up.

never been to the track. i just recently wrecked it. but it was alot faster than the replacement i got now. ill switching everything over. if you take you time and search for good used parts you will find good deals that will save you alto of money. carb is good for high hp track only cars. thats my personal opinion

IceMan · Feb 18, 2011

Just buy a turbo kit, use your stock shortblock, stock heads, stock intake, use good headgaskets, good fuel pump and 42lb injectors, boost it and you will make 420ish at about 12psi and it will last you a long time. You can build that for $2000-$2500...

jmeador88 · Feb 18, 2011

IceMan said:
Just buy a turbo kit, use your stock shortblock, stock heads, stock intake, use good headgaskets, good fuel pump and 42lb injectors, boost it and you will make 420ish at about 12psi and it will last you a long time. You can build that for $2000-$2500...

Thats a good idea, but I am wanting to have a weekend project and have always wanted to build a motor.

jmeador88 · Feb 18, 2011

Ok, I dont plan on this being a track only car. I want it streetable, but would like it to be in the 11's. I have pretty much came to the conclusion, a 306 (wich is bored how much over?), efi, some 180cc heads, something slightly bigger than a E303 cam (wich i have had on a foxbody before). And of course 1.7rr, forged pistons. I found a 76mm turbo i may purchase here soon if he still has it.

Ok, for the questions. If I am going to build a engine for a turbo, Im guessing I will need to keep my compression no more than 9:1?? And some 42lb injectors? along with fuel pump, maf, and tb. I know I will need custom hot pipe and header set up for turbo, but will worry about this later, just concearned with the main things.

NmcgrawJ · Feb 18, 2011

the carb intake design lends itself to the numbers you see versus traditional long runner efi intakes.

the same can be had if u get a carb style efi intake.

IceMan · Feb 18, 2011

306 is .030 over. To be honest with you, if your goal is 450 rwhp than you don't really need forged pistons. The 306 will not add too much power over stock unless you bump the compression but than its not good to run a turbo on that motor. Building a motor if your stock one is still good is a waste of money. Stock cam is great for turbo, and if you plan to put a turbo on it than you don't need a "built" motor. I'm just trying to save you money. If you want to build a motor, than use an aftermarket block. Don't use the weak stock block. Use a Dart, R302, Boss block, but not stock. Stroke it to a 331, put a good set of heads and intake, custom cam, that 76mm turbo and make 700+ RWHP and drive it on the street. Don't waste your money building a stock block. It's just not worth it, and it's a waste of money. Use the stock 5.0L motor until you have enough money to build an aftermarket block one. 450 RWHP is very easy to get on a stock motor with a turbo.

All_Ford_Fun · Feb 18, 2011

I don't know if you have the cash or a way to get it but there a new dart block block for sale in the st louis craigslist for 2k. Probly talk him down to 1800. I don't know where exactly in kentucky you are but if your on the edge might be something to consider.