Good luck with it man. I had a friend with this engine in a Fairmont. I never drove it so I have no idea how they feel, he did install an a set of stock 5.0 headers on it that I had lying around.
Good to hear it turned over, now for how it feels driving it! Like I said it isn't like a 302 , BUT driving it on the highway was a whole other story!!!!! Let us know how it goes!!!! I would like to see what the 255 will do, now that some parts are available!
I did that conversion my self a long time ago, it was a good learning experience. It was a sled, I popped the motor in 2 weeks, then went and bought a gt 5.0, the only saving grace was that it was geared really steep. good luck but I don't think it'll be what you think it will. Like I said it's good experience though.
OK we worked late on getting the thing running. It runs and sounds crisp with the cam in it. Not sure of the exact specs but it sounds good.
Went down the road in it and its ALOT different than the 2.3L. I know I know it isnt a beast or anything and will prolly lose to 5.0s and all but it sounds so awesome. I hate to have to install exhaust on it today
It pulls evenly and will bark the tires in 2nd pretty easily. Id guess it will run in the 15s and with that I am happy
Get the heads ported and polished by someone that knows what they are doing and get a good valve job. Get some roller rockers if you can also this will help you pickup 15-45hp depending on the cam and intake. I highly recommend a set of long tube headers.
What kind of exhaust did you go with? My hope is that you went with something you can grow into (2 1/4" or greater). I agree with the dastang2. Get the engine running well and take it easy until you can get enough money to get your drivetrain where you want it. BTW, don't worry about times too much. I take it you are still pretty young, so you'll be better off just learning how to drive the thing smooth and safe for now.
No doubt the radiator will need to be upgraded, but running warm at low speed usually just means you're not moving enough air across the radiator - usually a fan/shroud issue.
Yeah I understand. We just used the stock 4cyl setup with the small electric fan. Looks like we will go with dual 12 fan setup and swap to a V8 radiator
The hard parts done. I would worry less about modding the motor and more about getting everything else up to snuff in terms of drivetrain, rear end, brakes and so on.
Keep your eye open for a good deal on a 302 or 351. Get one, toss it on a stand and build it to the hilt. Then switch motors and you are all set to go.
Can prob snag a good 302 HO out of a Mark 7 around here for 200-300. Hell, even town cars and thunderbirds have the same bottom end.
Yep I have my first race today
80ish V6 Camaro that I raced with the 2.3 wants to try me. Im sure I will waste him unlike last race where I got creamed. We race in an hour on the old airport strip.
I still have no clue where to shift this thing at?