Blower on a 180,000 mi. car asking for trouble?

94Silverbullet · Oct 22, 2004

I want to get a blower(Vortech S-Trim) VERY soon. I know I'd be better off getting the long block or building a stroker first, then getting the blower. My motor seems fine. It doesn't have any leaks whatsoever. It still runs strong. I got new GT40 P's only 6 months ago.

If I get the blower and run mild boost would I be ok? Will a girdle help or anything else?

I feell like I'd be wasting my motor if it's not giving any problems, but who wants to buy a motor with 180k on it?

I'm on a one or the other(low compression 331 or blower)right now.

please give lots of options and advice.

thanks

5.0Droptop · Oct 22, 2004

tough decision. Your best bet would be to freshn the motor or rebuild it hen boost it. Worst case is you boost it and blows Thats the chance you take I guess.

94Silverbullet · Oct 22, 2004

5.0Droptop said:
tough decision. Your best bet would be to freshn the motor or rebuild it hen boost it. Worst case is you boost it and blows Thats the chance you take I guess.

Someone on here had a blower car with 160k. I'm curious what boost or problems he's had if any...

87GT 306 · Oct 22, 2004

I don't think it would be a good idea to put boost on a motor that old. It runs strong yes, but you are going to be putting alot more pressure on your motor w/ a blower. Something is bound to fail. I'd say rebuild it and you should be all set running mild boost. I did ALOT of research on getting a girdle for my rebuilt motor, but talked to alot of people and most people said all that a girdle will really do is hold your block together if it cracks.

94Silverbullet · Oct 22, 2004

But if I rebuild the same motor, wouldn't I be wasting money putting money into the old motor? Maybe it won't cost that much. That could be an option if that's the case. About how much will a rebuild run?

MrStyleS · Oct 22, 2004

Those 5.0 motors are strong as long as nothing is leaking or anything you should be fine. My friend had an 89 GT with a 17psi Procharger and a 3 core intercooler car ran great it had 140,000 miles on it. Rest of the car was bone stock.

Michael Yount · Oct 22, 2004

Yes, you'd be asking for trouble.

94Silverbullet · Oct 23, 2004

Michael Yount said:
Yes, you'd be asking for trouble.

What would you suggest? Do you think a rebuild is a good option, or would it be a waste of money if I'm planning on getting a stroker later.

Dr_of_Rhythm · Oct 23, 2004

I hav a kenne bell 2.2 on a 140k mile engine..stock block and all. Has held up great so far, but i had it tuned extra careful.

all in the tune i guess...

Michael Yount · Oct 23, 2004

Define "later".

Rick 91GT · Oct 23, 2004

Do a compression and leak down test, this will tell you the true condition on the motor.

Are you taking a chance, YES. Would I do it, NO. However if the vitals are all good you should be fine, it will find the weakest link as you add more power.

Rebuilding the motor and preparing for the blower is the best option IMO.

bln92cpe · Oct 23, 2004

yeah youll blow your head gaskets like i did..get a new built 306 before you slap on a blower..youll be happy =)

94Silverbullet · Oct 25, 2004

Rick 91GT said:
Do a compression and leak down test, this will tell you the true condition on the motor.

Are you taking a chance, YES. Would I do it, NO. However if the vitals are all good you should be fine, it will find the weakest link as you add more power.

Rebuilding the motor and preparing for the blower is the best option IMO.

Rick, you have PM.

94Silverbullet · Oct 25, 2004

Michael Yount said:
Define "later".

next spring

Daggar · Oct 25, 2004

It's not very expensive to refresh the block. You can use the same internals so long as there are no problems with them. New rings, bearings, seals etc. A stud girdle doe s alittle more than hold the block together if it splits. It spreads deflection force over more than just the two main bolts for the piston that's just hit the bottom of its stroke. Since you'll have the motor apart anyway, it's chep insurance.

94Silverbullet · Oct 25, 2004

Daggar said:
It's not very expensive to refresh the block. You can use the same internals so long as there are no problems with them. New rings, bearings, seals etc. A stud girdle doe s alittle more than hold the block together if it splits. It spreads deflection force over more than just the two main bolts for the piston that's just hit the bottom of its stroke. Since you'll have the motor apart anyway, it's chep insurance.

roughly how much?

Daggar · Oct 25, 2004

94Silverbullet said:
roughly how much?

This will give you an idea.

http://www.gofastcheap.com/store/agora.cgi?cart_id=&p_id=2

BlownFiveLiter · Oct 25, 2004

It's a risk, but if you're planning on adding a girdle, pull a main cap and take a peek at the bearings in addition to doing the compression test. I'd assume it's making good compression since you said you put GT40P's on it around 6 months ago, and it's still running strong. If you're planning on going ahead with it, and the main bearing looks ok, look into putting some ARP rod bolts in for some added insurance. A friend of mine had about 135k on his 88 LX when he bought it, and you could still see the crosshatch on the cylinder walls. He did the top end and ran it that way for roughly 2 years with no problems before deciding to finally rebuild in favor of an engine that would handle the bigger plans he had for it.

Michael Yount · Oct 25, 2004

silverbullet - if the stroker's less than 6 months away, definitely wait and add your boost to the fresh motor. A no-brainer in my (brainless) mind.

QDRHRSE · Oct 25, 2004

Yeah....at 180,000 miles you are taking a risk at starting the engine up! Some motors go a long time but at 180k you should not expect it to last long if you beat on it at all. I know people who still use 150hp shots of nitrous with motors with similar mileage. They figure its like driving a grenade with the pin hanging out. Anything is possible. With that many miles I would worry more about the engine bearings than compression. An S trim is a good sized blower and would probably cause you to quickly lose compression and toss a rod or two at the same time. Use that blower money to build a motor first.

Blower on a 180,000 mi. car asking for trouble?

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