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

Good motor build budget?

  • Thread starter Thread starter ga94gt
  • Start date Start date Aug 18, 2007
  • 1
  • 2
Next
1 of 2 Next Last
G

ga94gt

New Member
May 17, 2007
138
0
0
Ringgold GA
Aug 18, 2007
#1
  • Aug 18, 2007
  • #1
I am thinking of building a 306 and was wondering what a good budget would be to build a 300 rwhp 306. I was thinking some Twisted Wedge heads, stage 1 cam and 1.6 rr's. Not sure about pistons, rods etc. Suggestions welcome.
 

blksn955.o

Founding Member
Mar 15, 2002
3,263
0
66
st.louis mo 314
Aug 18, 2007
#2
  • Aug 18, 2007
  • #2
I went over the cost of getting my block machined, crank turned, new pistons, new I beam rods, all ARP hardware, and bearings/rings. The time to assemble it, drive time picking up the parts and taking them into get the work done.

vs.

ordering a DSS/CHP shorblock assembled.

After looking/pricing things it is a good deal to get a DSS/CHP assem. shortblock.

My shortblock shipped to my door was around $2,19x. I am 100% happy with it so far as well.

so with $2,000 for a shortblock and a TFS/AFR combo would be around $4,500 area. I would even contact FTI or camshaft innovations to see if they have any "packages" if you want the most out of that stuff...it will cost more but if you want 0 questions as to if its going to hit your goals GO to them.
 
G

ga94gt

New Member
May 17, 2007
138
0
0
Ringgold GA
Aug 18, 2007
#3
  • Aug 18, 2007
  • #3
blksn955.o said:
I went over the cost of getting my block machined, crank turned, new pistons, new I beam rods, all ARP hardware, and bearings/rings. The time to assemble it, drive time picking up the parts and taking them into get the work done.

vs.

ordering a DSS/CHP shorblock assembled.

After looking/pricing things it is a good deal to get a DSS/CHP assem. shortblock.

My shortblock shipped to my door was around $2,19x. I am 100% happy with it so far as well.

so with $2,000 for a shortblock and a TFS/AFR combo would be around $4,500 area. I would even contact FTI or camshaft innovations to see if they have any "packages" if you want the most out of that stuff...it will cost more but if you want 0 questions as to if its going to hit your goals GO to them.
Click to expand...

do you have any idea what your set up is putting to the tires?
 

blksn955.o

Founding Member
Mar 15, 2002
3,263
0
66
st.louis mo 314
Aug 18, 2007
#4
  • Aug 18, 2007
  • #4
2 weeks ago our local site had a portable dyno at a show. 99* and 43% humidity (by the printout but that area was in the shade and had a fan blowing on it) and 100* and mid 50's humidity I later found out by a weather station.

251rwhp and 286rwtq...with little to no WOT tuning done yet. At most it has 30* total timing right now. A few people made passes later when the humidity dropped abit (IIRC 20% or so) and picked up 9hp. That was also with the stock 4 cat H-pipe on instead of the o/r H and stock t-body.

For the conditions and little WOT work I was happy. My goal is around 275-290 to the rear wheels in the end. I should be able to get in that ballpark now that I finaly have a W/B to tune my WOT. I only pan to add a 70mm t-body at some point.

I have a 150hp n2o shot on as well...so with 275 off the bottle and say and added 125 from the 150 shot and that will be a good power outcome when needed.
 
G

ga94gt

New Member
May 17, 2007
138
0
0
Ringgold GA
Aug 18, 2007
#5
  • Aug 18, 2007
  • #5
How much was shipping on your short block? I take it you got the level 10 block?
 

blksn955.o

Founding Member
Mar 15, 2002
3,263
0
66
st.louis mo 314
Aug 18, 2007
#6
  • Aug 18, 2007
  • #6
I got the pro-bullit 306 shortblock that came with the "level 10" block. I really dont buy into the whole "stronger" deal but I do like the fact its CNC'd.

I want to say shipping was somewere in the ball park of 175...but the total I gave is the total to my door shipped.

I live in St. Louis and DSS is around Chicago so it was really close...so if your say in florida it may be more.
 

juiced_94gt

Active Member
Mar 30, 2005
1,143
0
36
Southern California
Aug 18, 2007
#7
  • Aug 18, 2007
  • #7
my initial budget was 6k for my CHP 331 with AFR 185's...that turned into 9-10k very quick!!! i stopped adding up evreything after about 7k LOL but it's a passion so i dont complain. It's all worth it when you fire it up.
 
G

ga94gt

New Member
May 17, 2007
138
0
0
Ringgold GA
Aug 18, 2007
#8
  • Aug 18, 2007
  • #8
juiced_94gt said:
my initial budget was 6k for my CHP 331 with AFR 185's...that turned into 9-10k very quick!!! i stopped adding up evreything after about 7k LOL but it's a passion so i dont complain. It's all worth it when you fire it up.
Click to expand...


Well I am only 19 so I am trying to keep the cost low. I figured to spend about $3500 would get me where i wanted to be.
 

juiced_94gt

Active Member
Mar 30, 2005
1,143
0
36
Southern California
Aug 18, 2007
#9
  • Aug 18, 2007
  • #9
ga94gt said:
Well I am only 19 so I am trying to keep the cost low. I figured to spend about $3500 would get me where i wanted to be.
Click to expand...

4k should about cover it as long as you dont go over the top...i literally built a turn key motor on the stand thats why it cost so much
 
G

ga94gt

New Member
May 17, 2007
138
0
0
Ringgold GA
Aug 18, 2007
#10
  • Aug 18, 2007
  • #10
I dont plan on going over the top but i have been looking at a PMS to go with it so I can tune my own car instrad of paying someone to do it.

Do yall think with (306) TW heads, stage 1 cam, 1.6 rr's, ported cobra upper and lower, 24lb injectors and LMAF get me to 300 rwhp through an auto.
 

blksn955.o

Founding Member
Mar 15, 2002
3,263
0
66
st.louis mo 314
Aug 18, 2007
#11
  • Aug 18, 2007
  • #11
it might...kinda depends on the auto. It should be fun either way though.
 

juiced_94gt

Active Member
Mar 30, 2005
1,143
0
36
Southern California
Aug 18, 2007
#12
  • Aug 18, 2007
  • #12
ga94gt said:
I dont plan on going over the top but i have been looking at a PMS to go with it so I can tune my own car instrad of paying someone to do it.

Do yall think with (306) TW heads, stage 1 cam, 1.6 rr's, ported cobra upper and lower, 24lb injectors and LMAF get me to 300 rwhp through an auto.
Click to expand...

you will be close but not quite there i think...steve at powertrain dynamics is expecting 330-350 RWHP from my 331 with AFR 185's, TFS stage 2 cam, full exhaust with longtubes, Track heat manifold, and all the bolt-ons.
 

1slow95

Founding Member
May 16, 2002
1,797
3
48
ohio
Aug 18, 2007
#13
  • Aug 18, 2007
  • #13
Whatever you plan on spending, add at least $1000 to it and that's about how much you'll end up spending.

Why not use your stock bottom end? You could easily get to 300rwhp with your $3500 budget if you kept the stock shortblock....
 
G

ga94gt

New Member
May 17, 2007
138
0
0
Ringgold GA
Aug 18, 2007
#14
  • Aug 18, 2007
  • #14
The motor has 180,000 miles on it that is why I am going to get the new motor.
 

1slow95

Founding Member
May 16, 2002
1,797
3
48
ohio
Aug 19, 2007
#15
  • Aug 19, 2007
  • #15
ga94gt said:
The motor has 180,000 miles on it that is why I am going to get the new motor.
Click to expand...

Gotcha. That's the same thing I did, except mine was at 167k when I pulled the motor.

http://dssracing.com/newbullet.htm

Short blocks starting at $1600. I would spend a lot of time on ebay if you plan on staying with that $3500 budget. If you buy everything brand new expect to go over budget very quickly.

I planned on $5-6k for my engine. I haven't added everything up, but I know it's between $7-9k. I replaced pretty much everything tho.
 
G

ga94gt

New Member
May 17, 2007
138
0
0
Ringgold GA
Aug 19, 2007
#16
  • Aug 19, 2007
  • #16
I am looking at the TW heads and they have one that is duel springs per valve, and single spring per valve. Which one would be better to get?
 

Adam95GT

New Member
Aug 14, 2006
2,564
3
0
Burlington, NJ
Aug 19, 2007
#17
  • Aug 19, 2007
  • #17
i did mine using slightly used parts for under $2000 might wanna check it out....
 

final5-0

Mustang Master
Apr 6, 2003
6,817
12
79
DFW Texas
Aug 19, 2007
#18
  • Aug 19, 2007
  • #18
ga94gt said:
through an auto.
Click to expand...

Those three little words will make it some what harder

You usually loose a bit more through an auto

Look into the TFS kit ... many have done it and made pretty good power

Grady
 
W

wytstang

Mustang Master
Mar 14, 2004
4,988
4
78
Summerville,SC missing South Fl. weather :(
Aug 19, 2007
#19
  • Aug 19, 2007
  • #19
Dual, if a spring breaks for what ever reason you have another one to ensure the valve drops and the motor eats it. Make sure to use parts that are in the same power rating as the stock block. Buying internals rated higher then what the block can handle is a waste, even if "it's just $30 more to get X part".
 

94TURBO5 O

New Member
Mar 14, 2004
2,509
0
0
VA
Aug 20, 2007
#20
  • Aug 20, 2007
  • #20
ga94gt said:
The motor has 180,000 miles on it that is why I am going to get the new motor.
Click to expand...

What's wrong with that???? You have a gr8 motor, just put on a used $1200 blower kit or turbo and be done with it. It will take awhile to crack it and the worst that will happen first is a blown hg. It took me a long time and severval different power adders on my stocker until I finally melted a hyper piston. IMO too many folks are scared to just run a stocker. It's not gonna blow up and in a million pieces, it'll just shut off or run like crap. In that case just drop in another stocker for $200.

http://forums.stangnet.com/showthread.php?t=716288
 
  • 1
  • 2
Next
1 of 2 Next Last
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

A
Discussion on mild budget build/ top end
  • Acesario
  • Feb 21, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 2
Replies
20
Views
709
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Feb 23, 2026
General karthief
Fox Xtremely high fuel consumption
  • PonyGTrider
  • Apr 11, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 9 10 11
Replies
213
Views
4K
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- May 9, 2026
PonyGTrider
Oil choice for after break in period.
  • Sask84gt
  • Feb 28, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 2
Replies
26
Views
1K
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Mar 14, 2026
Praetorious
P
Engine Forged flat top pistons from 5.0 fit a 351 build?
  • PonyGTrider
  • May 22, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
17
Views
1K
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Feb 1, 2026
PonyGTrider
C
Dyno day! # guesses?
  • clayton seiders
  • Aug 15, 2025
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
15
Views
409
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Aug 16, 2025
Scrapla347
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?