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  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 1994 - 1995 Specific Tech

Head, cam, intake install

  • Thread starter Thread starter traewolfe
  • Start date Start date Jan 31, 2013

traewolfe

Member
Aug 23, 2012
34
1
6
St. Augustine, FL
Jan 31, 2013
#1
  • Jan 31, 2013
  • #1
I am thinking about doing a HCI swap. My car has about 130k on it. What are the thoughts about doing this without doing anything to the bottom end?
 

revhead347

Apparently my ex-husband made that mistake.
20+ Year Stangneter
Jun 14, 2004
9,302
1,645
214
Acworth, GA
Jan 31, 2013
#2
  • Jan 31, 2013
  • #2
That's not that high a mileage. Check the compression. If it's good, go for it.

Kurt
 

RIO5.0

15 Year Member
Feb 16, 2001
6,892
8
128
N.H.
Jan 31, 2013
#3
  • Jan 31, 2013
  • #3
With that milage, I'd do a compression & leak down test..if those have solid results then go for it as new H/C/I/ are gonna put some umph to it. If the motor was cared for and not beat to death all should be fine. I might drop the pan and replace the oil pump.
 

revhead347

Apparently my ex-husband made that mistake.
20+ Year Stangneter
Jun 14, 2004
9,302
1,645
214
Acworth, GA
Jan 31, 2013
#4
  • Jan 31, 2013
  • #4
A bad indication on a leak down test on an engine with good compression is more likely to be a valve problem then a ring problem. If you are changing the heads it doesn't matter. There are tons of Mustangs with that many miles on them with HCI combos. That doesn't mean your engine is necessarily the optimum candidate, but it's likely fine and it will work fine. I've seen high mileage engines perform better on a compression test than a new one. If you have been using synthetic oil then it might not have much wear at all.

Kurt
 

revhead347

Apparently my ex-husband made that mistake.
20+ Year Stangneter
Jun 14, 2004
9,302
1,645
214
Acworth, GA
Jan 31, 2013
#5
  • Jan 31, 2013
  • #5
A bad indication on a leak down test on an engine with good compression is more likely to be a valve problem then a ring problem. If you are changing the heads it doesn't matter. There are tons of Mustangs with that many miles on them with HCI combos. That doesn't mean your engine is necessarily the optimum candidate, but it's likely fine and it will work fine. I've seen high mileage engines perform better on a compression test than a new one. If you have been using synthetic oil then it might not have much wear at all.

Kurt
 

traewolfe

Member
Aug 23, 2012
34
1
6
St. Augustine, FL
Feb 1, 2013
#6
  • Feb 1, 2013
  • #6
What should the compression be on a stock motor? What would be considered undesirable to do this?
 

revhead347

Apparently my ex-husband made that mistake.
20+ Year Stangneter
Jun 14, 2004
9,302
1,645
214
Acworth, GA
Feb 1, 2013
#7
  • Feb 1, 2013
  • #7
You are more checking for even compression. Excellent compression is all the cylinders with 10% of each other. As long as one or two cylinders isn't way off, you are good.

Kurt
 

'94ChickStang

Member
Sep 27, 2004
301
0
17
northern ca
Apr 7, 2013
#8
  • Apr 7, 2013
  • #8
just do it and get it tuned...the motor will handle it fine
 

Venom351R

Founding Member
Apr 27, 2002
4,548
41
98
MAINE
Apr 8, 2013
#9
  • Apr 8, 2013
  • #9
Do it, it will be a whole new car. Doubtful your compression is bad if it was taken care of and not driven hard.
 
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