My father and I just bought a 88 coupe that has got just about every bolt on / suspension part you can think of. It has full coilovers, control arms, a-arms, 14pt cage, etc etc. The motor is still the stock short block with trick flow heads, cam, intake, etc with all the bolt ons you can find. Im trying to think of the cheapest and yet the most reliable way to improve the car, it has a 150 shot dry system that i think were gonna scrap. Hes seems adimit about stroking it to at least a 347 where i think we should boost it till it blows then stroke it out when he have to. Any other sugestions?
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- Thread starter thojoewen86
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tording
Founding Member
If you have an unlimited amount of funds then I agree with you. Go ahead and boost it now via either supercharger or turbo. While you are in the process of breaking it go ahead and build yourself another motor. A low compression 331 or 347 and after the stock motor goes put that new motor in and once again boost it. With the lower compression stroker you will be able to run more boost and make more power. If your planning on making more than 475 hp I would go with a nice dart block so you don't have to worry about breaking it later down the road.
The only downside to this is if the stock motor does BLOW you could possibly cause damage to your heads if your planning on reusing them. If your not going to reuse them then it doesn't really matter I guess. Thats what I would do. Good Luck.
You could also work on things like the brakes since its got drums in the back. Do a nice 5 lug rear disc brake upgrade to help the car stop better. IMO stopping is overrated but its an idea. LOL
The only downside to this is if the stock motor does BLOW you could possibly cause damage to your heads if your planning on reusing them. If your not going to reuse them then it doesn't really matter I guess. Thats what I would do. Good Luck.
You could also work on things like the brakes since its got drums in the back. Do a nice 5 lug rear disc brake upgrade to help the car stop better. IMO stopping is overrated but its an idea. LOL
tording
Founding Member
I think you would be just fine. In 88 the 5.0's have forged pistons so your fine. The weakest point of the motor currently would be the block itself. It seems that around 500 rwhp is when the blocks start to break. Thats why I said don't go over 475. If you want to be extra conservative keep it around 450 rwhp. I think that with a good tune and assuming you don't beat the piss out of it, the motor would be very reliable like this.
tording
Founding Member
Well I am a fan of turbo's myself. I did a custom twin turbo install on my 91 GT I use to have and nothing beats the power or sound of a turbo. I however would not go with another twin setup. Too much plumbing and not enough positive outcome from the twins. I would just go with a nice single setup. You can make just as much power with a single as a twin setup and its 10x easier to install and maintain. Hellion turbo systems makes a nice setup. Here is the site. http://www.hellionpowersystems.com/kit_86_93.php
I think that the turbo or supercharger would be worth it for the stock block. Like you said while your running around with the turbo or supercharged car making 420-450 horsepower you can be building yourself a new motor. So when the motor finally does go or you get tired of it you can bolt in the new motor and if you build it right there will be nothing holding you back except for the size of your gonads.
I think that the turbo or supercharger would be worth it for the stock block. Like you said while your running around with the turbo or supercharged car making 420-450 horsepower you can be building yourself a new motor. So when the motor finally does go or you get tired of it you can bolt in the new motor and if you build it right there will be nothing holding you back except for the size of your gonads.
txstang84
15 Year Member
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