build me a 347

[88_GT_5_oh]

heres the plan for my car, i want a quick car (12 second range, maybe faster), and i am not gonna be running this at the track often, its just gonna be a street car that i can beat up on the ls1 guys with, and drive to work in the summer. with the possiblity for nitrous in the future
my car is a 88 gt with a 5 spd, i went and talked to a place today about building me a motor, and he gave me the highest price , so i could have somewhere to start. it looks like this:

347 block (my block bored blueprinted, ballanced etc.)
AFR heads (complete heads)
custom grind cam
and the liitle things (oil pump etc)

for $6100 CDN rougly 5100 USD (THIS IS THE HIGH PRICE, IT WILL BE LOWER, this was just to give me an idea)
this means all i would need is a clutch, intake, injectors, Throttle body, and some other little things that i can't think of right now. i just want to hear some other suggestions for what you guys think would be a good combo,

 

[Jason 302]

Sounds like you've done your research. Go with the 185's, Performer RPM 2, and Ed Curtis for the cam (everybody seems to think highly of this guy) along with a 70mm TB and it's expensive but the Pro-M 77 seems to make very good power. I also would probably go with 30 lb-hr injectors but you might be alright with 24's (pushing it albeit). Custom computer chip, 1 3/4" long tube headers (BBK, MAC, Bassani $$$$). This is what I would build if I had the money to build a stroker 302, I would probably go with a 331 but it's all good. Might want to think about your tranny with that power as well.

Don't forget about a fuel pump and regulator too.

 

[67stang390]

You can buy my car with one already built. Otherwise, sounds like you're headed the right direction. Definitely go with 30lbs injectors.

 

[88_GT_5_oh]

thanks for the replys..........the fuel pump is on the list of things to get...... i have an adjustable regulator and have the exhaust side of it covered, probably gonna go talk to him again this weekend again and decide on something, and get this project going. you can check my car domain page 3 for my mods that i have already if it makes any difference. i'm pretty set on a 347 but a 331 is stil an option. he said for how much i'm driving it a 347 will hold up for me. the tranny issue will be dealt with in the summer sometime, i'm hoping the t5 will hold up till then, its still pretty strong and i'm not teribly hard on it. does any one know much about the AFR heads, i've actually never really heard much about them, are they decent heads? maybe i've been living under a rock and havn't heard much about them.................. theres also another place i've talked to and i got a quote of 5500 CDN for a 347 block blueprinted and balanced, with ported stock heads and a ford racing alphabet cam, i was gonna go for that but this other deal sounds better.......what do ya think?

Edit: this block with the AFR heads has all forged intenals and h beam rods

this is the place i talked to today, super nice guy he showed me around the shop and all
http://www.wallsrodcustom.com/

 

[RIXX93GT]

Sounds like I have the exact motor your going to build in my car. Go with the afr185's and give Ed Curtis a call for your cam. My car is just what you described, drive it on nice summer days and nights, and tear down the 1/4 in 12's but hopefully 11's early next year. Idles and drives great and still passes emissions.
You will have to replace the rocker studs on the afr's and get some springs and seals to match your cam specs, but they really rock.

 

[squeeeg]

Have you thought about what tranny you are going to use to back up the 347. Your stock t5 won't hold up to that torque for long.

 

[88_GT_5_oh]

Have you thought about what tranny you are going to use to back up the 347. Your stock t5 won't hold up to that torque for long.

still undecided...... i just need the stock one to hold up for a little bit till i get another tranny in there, i'm gonna let the HP/torque that the engine is putting out help me decide........any suggestions?

 

[marcus95]

All good info from the guys. Air Flow Research AFR heads are the hottest cylinder heads out. The 185's are still emissions legal here in the states. A set of pedestal mount 185's complete run around $1,500 in Los Angeles and they are produced here.
I am just getting ready to pull my motor out of my 89 Saleen and am leaning towards the 331 route. A lot of guys like the Holley Systemax upper and lower intake for blown and N/A setup's. I was able to get my hands on a new old stock Saleen/Vortech intake combo for my car and I have a little S-trim waiting and a more mellow cam. It doesn't flow like all of the new stuff out but is period correct.
If you are thinking of squeezing it in the future and staying N/A you will love a nice balanced 347 stroker. The boys are also correct about your stock O.G. T5. but what the hell, if it's not broke then??? Just drive it until you break that tranni and have a little money set aside for a new one.
Just be ready to nickel and dime yourself to death on your new motor combo whichever way you lean. I am and I don't even have the motor out yet.
Good luck

 

[Jason 302]

Absolutley, the AFR's are the heads to have right now. I have some 165's coming in a month. You can get the 185's, however, for around $1300-$1400 from places I have seen. Pick up an issue of Muscle Mustang or 5.0 Mustangs and do some research. My 165's were $1310.

 

[88_GT_5_oh]

one other question..... i would like a custom cam but i think just because of money, i think i may go with an ford racing alphabet cam, crane, or something else........ any suggestions on what spec i should get for a cam, i'm goin on saturday and to get this build going for real

 

[RIXX93GT]

one other question..... i would like a custom cam but i think just because of money, i think i may go with an ford racing alphabet cam, crane, or something else........ any suggestions on what spec i should get for a cam, i'm goin on saturday and to get this build going for real

If you cant go custom, which I recommend highly, then call tech support at compcams and give them your specs and have them recommend one of their off the shelf cams. Save up another 100 bucks and go custom.

 

[90Notch]

You're going to spend all that money on top shelf parts then skimp on the one part that makes all that work in harmony?? Hmm let's spend good money and parts that will marginally add to performance but skimp on the most important piece of motor. I just don't get this logic, can someone explain?

 

[5.0 HOtrain]

Edit: this block with the AFR heads has all forged intenals and h beam rods

If you're plan is to stay n/a, go with a cast crank with a good set of "I" beam rods and a good piston like srp ect. Spend more money on induction pieces and camshaft. I would go with victor jr's or 185's. The jr's are a little cheaper I believe, and will easily support the power you're looking for. Have you thought about a 351 stroker Sorry, have to ask, love mine (#'s in sig )
mike.

 

[88_GT_5_oh]

You're going to spend all that money on top shelf parts then skimp on the one part that makes all that work in harmony?? Hmm let's spend good money and parts that will marginally add to performance but skimp on the most important piece of motor. I just don't get this logic, can someone explain?

maybe i just worded my post weird but what i meant was, i want a custom cam, but i may not be able to get it, so i just wanted to know what other cams would work good, just so i know..... kind of a back up plan

 

[houstonstangguy]

i had plans to do an fti cam but then funds didnt permit and i had to stick with the ported cobra intake/65mm throttle body I had and I found a good deal on my tfs stage 3 cam......it is pretty sweet too. you can see the numbers in the sig and once i do the systemax II or RPM II intake and a bigger throttle body Ill be good for awhile. Im thinking I may swap from hi comp. to low comp. next year and slap a blower on. of course Ill be looking into a dart block but as long as it is tuned well id be happy with a stock pulleyed s-trim pumping out 500 to the wheels for awhile. of course the cam is still in the back of my mind but honestly I am very happy with my stage 3, athough I know one of ed's would be a little better, I just can't justify the extra cash anytime soon. Back in college full time living (or trying to live) off of my GI Bill.

I wouldn't use an alphabet cam myself. even the X cam would still be too small for the 331/347. i researched them all when I realized i wasn't going to be able to do the custom.....although if you are gonna try to pass emissions, then ed is probably your best bet.

 

[BlackDrop50]

Sounds similar to my combo, trust me that will run 11s not 12s, if you can get any traction!! Very streetable, definately get a custom cam!

 

[90Notch]

"maybe i just worded my post weird but what i meant was, i want a custom cam, but i may not be able to get it, so i just wanted to know what other cams would work good, just so i know..... kind of a back up plan"

No you worded it correct I just don't see the logic behind spending $1000s of dollars on top notch stuff then skimping on the most important part on making power. Buy a used intake, TB, MAF and injectors then use the extra cash from this to get a cam that will give you an impressive combo rather than one that's medicore. But if you're determined to skimp on the cam run an X303 I've seen similar combos put down 350rwhp/rwtq with that cam. Presonally I'd consider putting it retarded a few degrees.