Good motor build budget?

Low-5.0 said:

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....

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Ditto on the $$ and budget, lol. I am so far over... o man I have a lot to make up.

I like the KB suggestion!! But you do hear of a lot of flks blowing head askets..not sure why.. It's like its too much tq or something. Yo uwill also have to add a TUNE to that to make sure yuo dont blow her up right away.

If it were me again? I would have gone ported GT40 P heads, nice cam, cobra intake, headers and rck and roll...it'll get yo close enough to trick flows without all that $$$$$!

When I was 19 I did gt40P's, mac headers, TF stage 1 cam, street heat intake, and a FPR. That is it. I got everything used, my car ran great without any tune and ran a 13.1 at 106mph. That is better than alot of guys that spent 3-4k on a tuned TF set-up. Plus the more stock parts you have the more reliable it will be. Keep the maf, pushrods, rockers etc. and go hit the roads up!!

Then you can add a turbo of twin screw and run low 11's with the same set-up.

I want to step up now, but am having a hard time justifying a $4k shortblock, $1500 heads, fuel system, bigger turbo and other crap like rockers, pushrods, balancer etc. I agree with JR!

rio95 said:

When I was 19 I did gt40P's, mac headers, TF stage 1 cam, street heat intake, and a FPR. That is it. I got everything used, my car ran great without any tune and ran a 13.1 at 106mph. That is better than alot of guys that spent 3-4k on a tuned TF set-up. Plus the more stock parts you have the more reliable it will be. Keep the maf, pushrods, rockers etc. and go hit the roads up!!

Then you can add a turbo of twin screw and run low 11's with the same set-up.

I want to step up now, but am having a hard time justifying a $4k shortblock, $1500 heads, fuel system, bigger turbo and other crap like rockers, pushrods, balancer etc. I agree with JR!

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Take that turbo out of your sig. All you have now is an all motor car that doesnt run.

Set down, write up a build with costs factored in. Then write up the next build with costs.

What helps people make up their mind on what way to go is where they can save on the build. If you know someone that builds engines and can get a good deal, then you look at internals. Or even better if YOU can do that. If YOU can fabricate, then the turbo route is a great idea. If you or know someone that can get you a good deal on machining... or performance parts, etc. Those little things can quickly beat some of the package deals.

For instance. I traded an engine build for a website. So, a new engine build was the best route for me. When looking for a used block.... a buddy offered me a block with a 331 crank and rods setup for a good price. So that's the route I took. 94TURBO5 O likes to swap engines... I can do it, but wouldn't enjoy it like he obviously does.

Look for your strengths and play the hand in that direction. The overall goal is 300HP... only you can choose the cheapest route. There are MANY ways to get there.

Oh and when you figure that build cost list... add a grand to each one. Trust me on this.

rio95 said:

When I was 19 I did gt40P's, mac headers, TF stage 1 cam, street heat intake, and a FPR. That is it. I got everything used, my car ran great without any tune and ran a 13.1 at 106mph. That is better than alot of guys that spent 3-4k on a tuned TF set-up. Plus the more stock parts you have the more reliable it will be. Keep the maf, pushrods, rockers etc. and go hit the roads up!!

Then you can add a turbo of twin screw and run low 11's with the same set-up.

I want to step up now, but am having a hard time justifying a $4k shortblock, $1500 heads, fuel system, bigger turbo and other crap like rockers, pushrods, balancer etc. I agree with JR!

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lol ... i had an easy time justifiying mine ... either $30k for a new mustang gt convertible, or $15k to build and install big ass motor and get new leather and paint

jr has a good point though ... boosting a stock 5.0L motor will make alot of power, and they are cheap and easy to come by.