Stock engine vs. Crate engine hp?

[93blucoupe]

In looking at the specs between my 94 Cobra's GT40 engine and the X302 ford crate engine the only difference I can see is the heads and cam. The hp rating on my stock engine is 240 and the crate engine is listed at 340 hp. The comp ratio is the same on both engines, 9.0:1, and they both are stock bore and stroke. If I'm correct in this then going to the Ford GT40X head and an E-cam should put me at the same output as the crate engine with the exception of my engine having 130000 miles and the crate engine being new. Am I missing something here?

 

[5.0kid]

thats also through a carb, sometimes those show more hp. i would get the tfs kit, cheap power for the price and proven around 350hp every time. plus their heads and cam are much better, esp the cam.

 

[93blucoupe]

Yeah I would probably go with either tfs or afr heads and a comp extreme energy cam. Mainly I was trying to see if the heads are that restrictive and the cam that mild to make a 100hp difference.

 

[5.0kid]

i feel like its a combo of all and that they probably don't really get a full 340. The x heads are better flowing but from what i remember, not that much better flowing. plus they probably put an intake/carb combo to get all they can out of it for the number...

 

[modo]

a carb will not magically make more hp over fuel injection and i really have no idea why people think ripping off their FI setup for a carb will net more power. a motor is only going to ingest as air much as as the heads will allow plain and simple. obviously ripping off a stock intake vs a performance carb intake / carb might net some more hp but no more then a aftermarket performance lower / upper would. metered pulse width + resolution that is linear > metered fuel drip...

the power difference is from a better set of heads and a performance matched cam. with 130k on the motor i wouldn't bother changing the heads without doing a leak down test and getting a idea on what the rings look like. if the #s look good then go for it.

 

[rz5.0]

^^^^x10 I also dont like when people think a carb will fix all tuning issues..

 

[5.0kid]

i wasn't saying that the carb will ultimately make more power, sorry if it came off that way. i just meant that the intake will flow better and they probably got the carb tuned just right. Its the whole combo, wether it be efi or carb, that makes the power, not just the heads and cam. Intake choice would have to be well considered to get that full 340hp, efi or carb...

thats why i said tfs kit cause it is matched perfectly already over having to get an intake for the crate...

 

[rz5.0]

I wasnt refering to anybody in particular...

 

[93blucoupe]

I was looking at a set of AFR 165 non emissions heads, which should flow better. I'm completely lost on which cam, I would like to have something other than an alphabet cam but don't want to have to notch the pistons.

 

[Raffaelli]

Remember that that number is at the flywheel, with a perfectly set carb and curved distributor to make 340. And maybe even rounded up a little too. So if you put GT40x's and an E cam in your cobra engine, more than likely you will end up; IDK, 280ish WHP on a good day.

Carbs TEND to make more HP than EFI setups because of the better air distribution.
EFI was designed to make power via torque.

Generally speaking...

 

[5.0kid]

i know i just wanted to put that out there for the op! 165s work great on a stock block! get a custom cam done with your set up, or the tfs stage 1 is a good cam for the money. i like it a lot more than the alphabet cams and its decent to tune on our cars.

 

[modo]

Remember that that number is at the flywheel, with a perfectly set carb and curved distributor to make 340. And maybe even rounded up a little too. So if you put GT40x's and an E cam in your cobra engine, more than likely you will end up; IDK, 280ish WHP on a good day.

Carbs TEND to make more HP than EFI setups because of the better air distribution.
EFI was designed to make power via torque.

Generally speaking...

please explain how a "carb" better distributes air to the cylinders from the venturi and what that has in relation to a runner length on a efi intake

 

[modo]

I was looking at a set of AFR 165 non emissions heads, which should flow better. I'm completely lost on which cam, I would like to have something other than an alphabet cam but don't want to have to notch the pistons.

165s are a great head and you won't have to worry about the pistons as the 165s have 1.90" intake valves. i had the 165s on my stock shortblock with a anderson ford b-31 which is a really nice off the shelf blower cam but works well on na cars as well. stay away from the alphabet cams and buy something else.

 

[Widow Maker]

Would go with a crate if you got the money. If you go the time and knowlage i would go with your own build.

 

[buscg]

From what ive seen a realistic number for a decent set of heads and cam (lets think stage 1 made for everyday use) will net you on a stock block 5.0 around 50-60 rwhp. This number can vary depending on supporting mods. Sure there could be more gains but then your talking higher rpms with a sacrifice down low.