Have a check for $4k, need opinions on what to do with it

Joe 5.0 · Dec 15, 2005

Ok well I got a bunch of stuff stolen over thanksgiving and I now have a check for $4k sitting in my lap. I HAVE to spend the money at Livernois Motorsports, since I had to pick a shop to spend the check at.

My dilemna is this: I would LOVE a turbo setup, but they are all $4500 and up, plus install + supporting mods. I cant really justify spending ALL of the check plus probably another $1500 just on the power adder.

S-trim's are going for about $2500 new right now, plus another $1k for install/tune. Then maybe do an intake and full exhaust. Should be 100% reliable and run pretty close to low 12's, right?

Or do a Novi 2000 and intake/exhaust. The Paxtons are about $800 more expensive, so are they worth it over the s-trim?

I also havent ruled out a H/C/I and stroker buildup, which would probably also be in the $4k range, or so. I love Killer's 1/4 times, and mine would be even faster since its a coupe and if it was a 331 or 347 it would rip.

Just looking for opinions, and PLEASE be specific on why. Just saying "g0 with the s-trim it r0xors" doesnt really do me any good.

Jackie Chan · Dec 15, 2005

go to livernois with a h/c/i modlist and have them order install and tune that joker with a rear end and a nitrous kit

Grn92LX · Dec 15, 2005

A h/c/i stroker is a LOT more than $4k! Trust me

I'd stay n/a and build a combo. Maybe do a stroker shortblock with stock junk, then save up for real parts.

Why does a shop have to do it all???

4Jenna · Dec 15, 2005

I'd try and get the $$...invest!

Joe 5.0 · Dec 15, 2005

Not interested in nitrous, would get expensive filling it every couple weeks, and plus I wouldnt trust the stock shortblock to the more volatile power that nitrous makes.

I priced out a afr/ed curtis/edelbrock setup, plus a 331 stroker kit to about $3500 + install. Which would be faster/more reliable/have better driveability?

Joe 5.0 · Dec 15, 2005

eades5.0 said:
I'd try and get the $$...invest!

Trust me with just buying a house i'd love to, but I HAVE to use it on the car, since its an auto claim. crapola

4Jenna · Dec 15, 2005

If you can get all that for 3500$...its your lucky day dude

GET THAT cause that shop is the cheapest on the planet

Grn92LX · Dec 15, 2005

Joe 5.0 said:
I priced out a afr/ed curtis/edelbrock setup, plus a 331 stroker kit to about $3500 + install. Which would be faster/more reliable/have better driveability?

Your math is VERY flawed if you think you're getting all that for $3,500. Trust me, I just DID that Go 347 by the way, free cubes.

The absolute minimum for your stroker h/c/i upgrade will be around $6,000.

4Jenna · Dec 15, 2005

Just for ref...
http://www.strokermotor.com/331PGLB.htm

Youd be robbin um

95strokerPSU · Dec 15, 2005

I don't know what Livernois' prices are but $3500 sounds real low for hci and a stroker. I'm well past $6k with my engine and I only have Edelbrock heads and an off the shelf cam. All the little stuff adds up, don't forget that.

I'd just start with a solid hci set-up like you said, afr/fti/eddy. The 331 is gonna be a lot more expensive than you think. I'd get the rear built too. I just got mine done and it made a world of difference compared to my beat 130k+ stock rear.

final5-0 · Dec 15, 2005

I take it you will not do the work yourself. I only ask cause your 4 grand will go lots farther if it is for parts only.

I don't see you talking about supporting stuff like fuel pump, inj's, maf, and the like.

Grady

Joe 5.0 · Dec 15, 2005

Here's my math so far with the HCI setup:

AFR 185's non emiss - $1375
Ed C cam - ~$300 (thats what i thought they were going for)
Edelbrock Performer RPM - $600
347 Stroker Kit - $1400? (i know the FMS kit is $1275 on summit, but its only hyper pistons so I'm sure a aftermarket kit with forged pistons is a little more.

Thats $3675, and I know I'll need injectors, install, and a maf/tb. I'd like to be around $4k in parts, as I am willing to shell out some oney for install/tune.

How much was machine work/install for you guys with HCI or stroker kits?

4Jenna · Dec 15, 2005

So you did the math..not a shop quote like you made it seem.

That 1400$ stroker kit is the rotating assy..you still need machine work, balance, gaskets, and tons of other lil nic nack stuff...head bolts/studs, oil pump, timing chain, etc etc

And then count on ALOT to install that

Joe 5.0 · Dec 15, 2005

Also something that I'm considering is that with a blower/intake/exhaust combo I can do the majority of the work myself. I def cant do a HCI or stroker kit install. I dont have nearly the amount of tools or a lift, and plus I wouldnt trust myself to do the build on my only engine that I just dropped $4k into.

eades how much is alot, ballpark? Thats why i'm posting the thread to see what my options are.

Also would a holly systemax kit for $2300 off summit make any more power than the afr/ebrock setup? They are about the same price.

stprorolla49 · Dec 15, 2005

Joe 5.0 said:
Also something that I'm considering is that with a blower/intake/exhaust combo I can do the majority of the work myself. I def cant do a HCI or stroker kit install. I dont have nearly the amount of tools or a lift, and plus I wouldnt trust myself to do the build on my only engine that I just dropped $4k into.

eades how much is alot, ballpark? Thats why i'm posting the thread to see what my options are.

Also would a holly systemax kit for $2300 off summit make any more power than the afr/ebrock setup? They are about the same price.

or the Trickflow h/c/i kit for that matter....they are $2100.....

heres my honest opinion, and dont take this as bashing you, or your skills in ANY way because its not meant like that in the least bit i think its silly to pay installation prices because they are just SOO goddamn high these days!! i DEFINATELY understand a professional setting up a shortblock for ya, but what makes you say that you couldn't tackle an h/c/i?? theres more than enough people around here that would help you out, and it really isnt that difficult...ive done a few with my dad on chevy motors, and it was nothing but fun in the garage

that being said, i think you should either give the h/c/i a try by yourself, or go with an s-trim, intake manifold, full exhaust, maf, inj's, tb, and tune, and if you have extra cash, maybe spring for a meth injection kit.....

like i said, dont limit youself because you never know what you are capable of unless you try....and you wont need a lift for an h/c/i install.......

95snoozer · Dec 15, 2005

Joe 5.0 said:
Not interested in nitrous, would get expensive filling it every couple weeks, and plus I wouldnt trust the stock shortblock to the more volatile power that nitrous makes.

I priced out a afr/ed curtis/edelbrock setup, plus a 331 stroker kit to about $3500 + install. Which would be faster/more reliable/have better driveability?

no way in hell are you getting that done for 3500

the best deal on strokers pretty much is CHP

you can get it for 2000, then there is shipping, 100-150

you want heads? afr 185s.... find them used around 900-1000

holley systemax 2 intake of an RPM 2 intake is all i would run on that.- used 400

rocker arms... 100-200 plus depending on new or used

pushrods

valve covers

see you are already at 4k almost and you havent even put it together yet, nor do you have a tune or necessary supporting mods

How about you do a stout heads cam combo., and dont fear the bottle

expensie filling a bottle? 35 bucks
how many times do you fill your gas tank each week.

I like the blower idea as well. grab an intake and a v2 vortech. dont run a novi 2000 it wont amke the same power the vortech will because it needs rpm to stretch it's legs

95snoozer · Dec 15, 2005

the systemax will not out power the afr fti setup

Joe 5.0 · Dec 15, 2005

I hear ya, and depending on what livernois says the install price will be will probably dictate what I do.

The thing is that I probably could put in a HCI, but I dont have anyone I'd really trust to help me out, and if I'm dropping this amount of cash on stuff I want to make sure it's 100% right. At least having it installed by a very reputable shop gives me a little more comfort that nothing major will be wrong, and if something is they will have to fix it on their dime.

A s-trim setup is starting to sound better & better, since in the future I can always upgrade the shortblock if something breaks, and wouldnt a s-trim with a nice intake and a good tune be just as fast, if not faster than a HCI?

Not everyone with a HCI breaks 300rwhp, whereas its almost guaranteed that a full exhaust, nice intake, and 8-9psi s-trim will make about 325rwhp. A meth kit would def put it past that also. Plus my engine seems very healthy, dont know if I want to tear into it until something isnt working right.

KBCobra95 · Dec 15, 2005

Just put a kenne bell on there and make more power

final5-0 · Dec 15, 2005

Here is the deal Joe!

It is a shame but ... 4 grand just don't go as far as one first thinks when talking about coaxing more than ...... bolt on power from a Stang.

Most of the peeps in this thread are being honest here and they are trying to show that heads, cam, and an intake alone is only the start to a combo that makes pretty good NA power.

You need the fuel system, tb, maf, head bolts, rockers, and all the rest to support the major combo parts.

The gaskets alone for a h/c/i upgrade will set you back more than 100 bux.

If you have to pay someone to do this upgrade the 4 grand is just not gonna be enough to do the complete upgrade and have it done right.

I won't even bring up the cost of a tune but ......
without one
you may find all is not well in Stangland after an upgrade like your planning here.

Grady

Have a check for $4k, need opinions on what to do with it

Joe 5.0

Jackie Chan

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