pushing stock block to limits, what combo is least stress on internals

[spederman]

I've got 405/400 hp/tq. Had this power level for a couple years and getting bored. I know this is about the breaking point of the stock block but some live up to 450hp i assume depending on the tune. I figure if it blows, oh well, i'll save up by next summer to get a built motor. For the mean time, what combo would be least stressful on the engine/internals (looking for 450hp or so)

combo #1:
-3.0 pulley for vortech s trim sq pushing prolly around 11psi
-snow perf meth kit

combo #2:
-blower cams

 

[SVT32VDOHC]

I would NOT do the cams. The car will not pick up that much and will just put more stress on everything.

Go with the smaller pulley WITH methanol injection. Methanol injection cools the air coming into the engine after it is supercharged. Depending on boost...the average Mustang will see temps anywhere from 45-100 degrees cooler. It also acts as an octane booster. Premium fuel is all that is needed. You do NOT need race gas with meth. The meth will keep the car running cooler and safer with the added power.

Power does not kill Mustang engines. Not enough octane and improper/overagressive tuning kills Mustang engines.

 

[mustangman9812]

Power does not kill Mustang engines. Not enough octane and improper/overagressive tuning kills Mustang engines.

Exactally

+1 Hotmustang331 had 550+rwhp on his Turbo GT Stang with a Stock Block and it held up well.

 

[SaleenGT2001]

the right cams should bump it to over 450.

 

[02nightmaregt]

Meth and pulley has got my vote. The meth will lower intake temps and allow a smaller pulley

 

[y2k02]

Horsepower will kill the stock rods.

 

[spederman]

I know i'm really taking a gamble by doing this, but i just want to see what this stock engine will take. Kinda how Hotmustang felt and took his to crazy numbers. I wanna see what i can do.

Thats why i kinda want everybodies input to see which way would be the lesser evil of the two. So far it seems smaller pulley/meth inj is getting the vote.

 

[DBMSTNG]

i'd go with heads/cams. i know the heads weren't on your list, but better airflow will be less stressful on the engine than increased boost pressure.

 

[Mustang92]

Exactally

+1 Hotmustang331 had 550+rwhp on his Turbo GT Stang with a Stock Block and it held up well.

Turbo and Supercharger are two completely different things. Turbo doesn't take HP to turn like a Supercharger and thus more power can be made on the stock parts with the same amount of boost.

and power most definitely will kill a Mustang engine. Will the power level he is suggesting going to break the engine? Probably not but to make a blanket statement like that is pretty careless. Go put 550RWHP through a PD or Centrifugal blower for a few months and come back and say that.

Bill

 

[bhuff30]

I completely agree with Mustang92.

I wouldn't go with cams because it will increase the rev band where you operate the engine. More revs means more stress on the rods, which is the weakest point of a stock engine.

 

[spederman]

i'd go with heads/cams. i know the heads weren't on your list, but better airflow will be less stressful on the engine than increased boost pressure.

id luv to do heads but arent they $1700ish alone? i kinda wanna stay around $1k total

 

[SaleenGT2001]

my buddy has been pushing 443/467 for 55K with his KB car and it is still going strong.

even ran it on the race side of the chip (unknown numbers) numerous times with no problems. he doesnt drive the car easy at all either. i cant believe it is still running

all this on the KB tune

 

[spederman]

Got the smaller pulley and meth kit on the way. Just gotta pick out the a/f gauge and then a new a-pillar pod. This is going to be a nerve racking experiment. But i cant wait to see what she'll hold for power. Going on over 400hp for 2 yrs so hopefully i have one of those strong engines that can another 50hp or so. But i'm prepared for the risk of my car being down prolly till end of summer while i get the cash to rebuild.

 

[Mustang92]

But i'm prepared for the risk of my car being down prolly till end of summer while i get the cash to rebuild.

Then you are good to go. As long as you know the risks and are prepared for them. I'm in the same boat with my car. I make a hair over the "limit" for my stock engine and I'm prepared for it if something happens.

Bill

 

[spederman]

Man, now im confused. I was emailing Tim @ modularpowerhouse and he recommends cams. He says that its least stressful on the engine.

And if anybody on this planet knows things about stangs, its him for sure.

 

[BurningRubber]

Cams are less stressful because you are not adding any boost. Your car would definatly benefit from blower cams and a tune. Depending on the cams, you may nor may not need springs and that would just add on to the cost.

The only thing that is going to add more stress is more boost, a bad tune, or more boost and a bad tune.

Cams and meth are the safest route.

Heads and cam would be even better because you make make more power on less boost... but the price is insane for the gains you are looking for.

The block itself isn't the part thats going to give up the ghost, it's the pistons and rods...

 

[SVT32VDOHC]

Just sleep on it man. 405RWHP and 400RWTQ is a strong street car. I make 408RWHP and 366RWTQ with my 96 Cobra and there isn't much I run into that can beat me. I mean....I don't go down to the organized street racing areas around here and race the 9-10 second cars, but when I run into your average car like my 96 is, I can take them. Vette, GTO, Camaro, Mustang whatever. You are prolly good where you are at, so just take the time and see what happens.

 

[blksq10psi]

im with svt32vdohc whit your hp #'s im pulling 380 and there isnt nothing that will give you a hard time on the street mine is a d/d and most of the time everyone backs off when the hear the whistle... many people say 450 -480 to the tires is the cutoff the rods are the weak link in the 2v motors

 

[SaleenGT2001]

im pulling 380 and there isnt nothing that will give you a hard time on the street

i'm putting down over 600 and i'm one of the slowest cars in my area!!

 

[spederman]

I hear ya guys. You would think that 400hp would be enuf. But its like a sickness. I cant stop, i told myself that 400 hp mark would be the stopping point. But lately moved it up to 450hp and i'll be happy.

plus i bought my snow perf kit yesterday. called my shop today inquiring about cams/springs/tune & can get it all done for about $1500.