302 with 500WHP

[JonFocus03]

hello. I'm a noob and I'm doing a V-8 swap into my focus and I'm building the block now. It's a 1988 302, I'm looking for 500 WHP and I am comming here for some advice on how to get there. $$ is not really a issue. The goal of this project is to run 10.** in the 1/4 mi and also be able to drive it on the streets every once in a while. Any help would be nice and lets stay away from the Focus bashing.

Thanks Jon

 

[Tonys96Cobra]

You wont get any Focus baching here! Just as long as you dont put a Chevy in it! If youre doing that much work to swap, Id go with a 408 Windsor, youll get your 500hp way easier.

 

[willys1]

in a focus? well,if money isnt an issue you need to get a stronger block because 500HP is the limit for these stock blocks and you stand a chance of splitting it down the middle!! A Focus?

 

[JBeezy53]

A good H/C/I and a s/c should get you there if it's tuned properly.

 

[willys1]

Thats true,500HP will get a full wieght stang into the 10's!! A focus is gonna do it with alot less HP..

 

[blk9450]

turbo'd 351.

 

[vristang]

hello. I'm a noob and I'm doing a V-8 swap into my focus and I'm building the block now. It's a 1988 302, I'm looking for 500 WHP and I am comming here for some advice on how to get there. $$ is not really a issue. The goal of this project is to run 10.** in the 1/4 mi and also be able to drive it on the streets every once in a while. Any help would be nice and lets stay away from the Focus bashing.

Thanks Jon

Welcome to Stangnet Jon!
This sounds like a sweet project!
I remember years back there was a mag writeup on doing this, Muscle Mustangs maybe? It wasn't too long after the first Focus hit the market.

The other guys are probably right, 500whp seems overkill. The lower you can keep the power and still hit your et, the more durable the motor will be.

Do you have any pics? It sounds like you are just getting started, but I have to ask.

Good luck, and please keep us posted on the progress.

jason

 

[JonFocus03]

You wont get any Focus baching here! Just as long as you dont put a Chevy in it! If youre doing that much work to swap, Id go with a 408 Windsor, youll get your 500hp way easier.

Kugel kit wont take anything bigget then a 351W....

 

[JonFocus03]

is there a et calc that anybody knows of so I can lower the power but keep in my times??

 

[willys1]

350HP should do the trick!! This way it will be reliable also!!

 

[blk9450]

408 is a 351 block.

 

[JBeezy53]

A 408 is a 351W that has been stroked.

 

[JonFocus03]

ah yes sorry forgot it's been a while since i've dealt with 8's pix are comming in my profile soon....

 

[criticman]

If money is not an issue, get a Dart 302 Man O War block. 4 bolt mains, way stronger than any other 302 you would find.

But since you have the 302 already from '98, do a stroker...331 or 347. Some will say 331 to keep it reliable and not leak oil. A properly done 347 would not leak/burn oil though.

And yeah, 300+ rwhp and you should be in the 10's with such a tiny car.

 

[JonFocus03]

OK so lets set a 350 mark what do I need for that??I want the new BBK intake for sure and I also want to SC it.

 

[criticman]

Heh. Do a 331 or 347 stroker, decent heads, decent intake, mild cam, and you will hit 350...N/A. No need for the added hassle or weight of the s/c.

 

[timewarped1972]

curious what are you using for a tranny for this project??

 

[JonFocus03]

PIX of stock engine and badly beatten bearings....

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c169/zts03focus/Focus V-8 Swap/1ce6967b.jpg
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c169/zts03focus/Focus V-8 Swap/726b5ffc.jpg
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c169/zts03focus/Focus V-8 Swap/4324ef2e.jpg
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c169/zts03focus/Focus V-8 Swap/505d4028.jpg
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c169/zts03focus/Focus V-8 Swap/05ec103c.jpg
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c169/zts03focus/Focus V-8 Swap/0b23fa3f.jpg
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c169/zts03focus/Focus V-8 Swap/aaf7a2ba.jpg
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c169/zts03focus/Focus V-8 Swap/ProjectV-8003.jpg

there are some pix of the carnage and a nother thing will a T5 handle this??

 

[ram360]

haha, have fun with that project.... I saw some guy w/ a focus hatchback at the track this past weekend and the car was a complete joke. Mustang rear, coil overs, 350hp 5.0 crate engine, etc... ran 15.2 in the low 90mph range all night long. (1/4 mile track) ....I doubt you'll see anywhere near 10's

 

[JonFocus03]

Vehicle Weight
In Pounds
(ex.3000)
::2800::
RWH
::350::
ET
::11.65::