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  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech

5.0 Top end combo

  • Thread starter Thread starter marine_80
  • Start date Start date Sep 23, 2009

marine_80

Member
Jul 8, 2009
50
1
7
Sep 23, 2009
#1
  • Sep 23, 2009
  • #1
I have a 91 LX notch and want to upgrade the top end. Any suggestions on head/intake/cam combo that is proven and can create big HP gains? I have a E cam now am willing to put in a different one to complement heads/intake.
This is a street car and I'm hoping for 350-400hp.
 

DocG

5th graders > me. They're not bant
Sep 25, 2005
8,297
1,358
194
Cincinnati area
Sep 23, 2009
#2
  • Sep 23, 2009
  • #2
Those are some pretty stout numbers for a H/C/I upgrade alone.

Curious to see if anyone has made that type of power with the right combo.
 

stykthyn

I want to measure mine. It doesn't look that tall.
15 Year Member
Jul 6, 2006
5,232
2,652
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gainesville
Sep 23, 2009
#3
  • Sep 23, 2009
  • #3
highly unlikely to happen without stroking it or using a power adder.

best bang for the buck is an explorer top end with a custom cam. for an OTS combo the trick flow setup has my vote.
 

mustangman9812

10 Year Member
Jan 14, 2004
661
6
49
Mars Hill, NC
Sep 23, 2009
#4
  • Sep 23, 2009
  • #4
marine_80 said:
I have a 91 LX notch and want to upgrade the top end. Any suggestions on head/intake/cam combo that is proven and can create big HP gains? I have a E cam now am willing to put in a different one to complement heads/intake.
This is a street car and I'm hoping for 350-400hp.
Click to expand...

350-400hp will not happen with just a 302 and H/C/I, but i go by saying it will be a blast to drive with a good setup. Buy a set of AFR 165's or 185's with a custom camshaft, trickflow Track Heat Intake, and a shot of Nitrous or a Blower and have fun!!
 

DocG

5th graders > me. They're not bant
Sep 25, 2005
8,297
1,358
194
Cincinnati area
Sep 23, 2009
#5
  • Sep 23, 2009
  • #5
I'm a little biased...but I say go with the Holley Systemax II kit. Works well for me!
 

liljoe07

5 Year Member
Feb 18, 2009
1,622
363
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Cartersville,Ga
Sep 23, 2009
#6
  • Sep 23, 2009
  • #6
We talking about Rear Wheel Hp or Flywheel HP?
 
R

runninfords

New Member
Sep 23, 2009
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0
Sep 23, 2009
#7
  • Sep 23, 2009
  • #7
well if u like to know if there a 400hp 302, check this site

Building 400hp Into A 5.0L Small-Block Engine - Muscle Mustangs & Fast Fords Magazine

they built a 400hp 302 on $1,000 budget including cost of the engine, its a heads/cam/intake car only diff is they swaped efi for carb.
 

DocG

5th graders > me. They're not bant
Sep 25, 2005
8,297
1,358
194
Cincinnati area
Sep 23, 2009
#8
  • Sep 23, 2009
  • #8
Is that 400 to the wheels or crank? I can't see the link.

Plus...while I respect those budget builds....its a magazine. When it blows in a few hundy miles...they'll just make a new article about building a 600hp block. They're great for instant power, but not so sure I trust those for long term, reliable builds. If I want something to last, I am not pulling most of my parts from the yard.
 

stykthyn

I want to measure mine. It doesn't look that tall.
15 Year Member
Jul 6, 2006
5,232
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223
gainesville
Sep 23, 2009
#9
  • Sep 23, 2009
  • #9
I would be surprised if the down lo combo made 300 to the wheels.
 

liljoe07

5 Year Member
Feb 18, 2009
1,622
363
124
Cartersville,Ga
Sep 23, 2009
#10
  • Sep 23, 2009
  • #10
Magazine articles are inflated to market a certain product. Of coures its going to SHOW good numbers. Ive done some business with guys that have been involved with Articles like this. Some say that they have never even seen the Dyno. They make a few statments, hand over the parts. Then read the article.

Even if it made 400hp at the Flywheel. Add in the full engine dress, then Drivetrain, and it would be around 300 maybe a touch more or less. For a 210cc head with a 5" runner, thats pathetic. You get what you pay for.
 

marine_80

Member
Jul 8, 2009
50
1
7
Sep 24, 2009
#11
  • Sep 24, 2009
  • #11
Can't make a 302 or in my case a 306 have 350hp??? That's just crazy. I don't buy that. If any is confused I don't want to ADD that much power. I want that to be the end result. Oh, and N20 is not out of the question.
Posted via Mobile Device
 

86turbo

Member
Apr 8, 2006
183
0
17
Sep 24, 2009
#12
  • Sep 24, 2009
  • #12
hell man, there are 500hp na 302's out there.........how streetable do you want this car to be again?? what kind of gas do you plan on running? better write a blank check because it won't be cheap....

Drew
 

joncash

just high enough to be functional
Founding Member
Dec 9, 2000
756
4
39
The USA's peen
Sep 24, 2009
#13
  • Sep 24, 2009
  • #13
86turbo said:
hell man, there are 500hp na 302's out there.........how streetable do you want this car to be again?? what kind of gas do you plan on running? better write a blank check because it won't be cheap....

Drew
Click to expand...

Hey, write a blank check, that's helpful . He's asking for a proven combination that can net a reasonable horsepower figure. 350 horsepower is an attainable goal and he's willing to use nitrous.

The matched setups form most of the major manufacturers are an easy bet for your goals and reliability shouldn't be a real issue given that you use new parts from a reputable company.

mustangman9812 and DocG2828 have the right idea.
 

lincoln+ford

Member
Jul 4, 2009
195
0
16
Sep 24, 2009
#14
  • Sep 24, 2009
  • #14
My vote is for the explorer top end with tfs 1 cam and a 150shot should be more then enough.
 

Wicked65

Member
Aug 10, 2003
490
3
19
NORCAL
Sep 24, 2009
#15
  • Sep 24, 2009
  • #15
Why dont you just take that stock motor, and hook a S trim up to it and be done. It will probably cost less in the end, then trying to piece together a N/A motor.

By the way, Those Pro-Comp heads are some of the biggest garbage ever seen.
 

lincoln+ford

Member
Jul 4, 2009
195
0
16
Sep 24, 2009
#16
  • Sep 24, 2009
  • #16
S trim for less then gt40 set up and tfs cam and nitrous?I dont know about that maybe a A trim lol.
 

stykthyn

I want to measure mine. It doesn't look that tall.
15 Year Member
Jul 6, 2006
5,232
2,652
223
gainesville
Sep 25, 2009
#17
  • Sep 25, 2009
  • #17
talk to the guys at anderson motorsports or camshaft innovations and tell them what you want. they will help you put together a combo that will likely come very close to your goal of 350hp. I wouldnt expect it to be streetable though.
 

DocG

5th graders > me. They're not bant
Sep 25, 2005
8,297
1,358
194
Cincinnati area
Sep 25, 2009
#18
  • Sep 25, 2009
  • #18
I don't have dyno numbers on mine....but I'd "guess" its about 325 to the wheels or so. Of course it has more done to it than just the Systemax kit, but that's a great start IMHO. Its not very common on Stangs, but I've seen a bunch of S/C'd cars with this intake. I'd say its a great start and if you want to ever go SC, you won't have any problems with this setup. Previous owner reported my car ran about mid 12's with a road racing type suspension setup....so that's a pretty good amount of power. I have yet to confirm this number and have not dyno'd the car, so this is all speculation.

With a small shot of nitrous, I'm sure you can be within your power range.

I'm not sure why the Holley kit isn't more popular.

http://www.holley.com/300-501-1.asp
 
N

-Nick-

New Member
Aug 6, 2009
25
0
0
Sep 25, 2009
#19
  • Sep 25, 2009
  • #19
if you cant make 350+ hp on a n/a 302 then you have a problem!


it might not be the cheapest thing...but it wont cost you an arm and a leg...
 
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