Help w/HCI setup

[Sweet Stang]

I am new to 5.0's, but love them. I want a daily driver streetable car that can attain low 13's possibly high 12's. I am budget minded though. Don't want to buy cheap crap, but when there are cheaper ways to safely go about building the engine, then i'm 100% for it. That being said, what setup for the HCI mods should I attempt. I have done various searches and get a bunch of mix opinions (which might happen here too) but I think it's worth a shot. As I have read, the cheapest route would be gt40's but will this get me to my goal. What are the differences in power between the gt40, gt40p, and gt40x? I know the gt40x is aluminum, the others are iron correct? But do they flow about equal, or major difference between them? Basically let me put a list of what I want.

-Daily Driver attaining low 13's - high 12's
-Not too worried about gas consumption (if i was i would have a 4cyl import )
-Wouldn't mind a little bit of a jumpy idle to feel the power, but definitely don't care if it's there or not, prefer it not being there over being there in excess
-Would like to keep it NA
-Would like to keep the budget as low as possible

Sorry for a lot of questions, but as much help as possible would be appreciated. I have dealt w/mod motors, but not so much with 5.0's yet, so any help counts. Thanks in advance. :SNSign:

 

[turbogt]

I wouldn't was my money on ford heads when you can get nice trickflows for about the same price. For what you are looking for, I personally would find a used S trim and be done with it. Great Mileage, power is only there when you need it, and sounds wicked if its not an SQ version.. People here my blower a block away.

 

[Stanger007]

I am new to 5.0's, but love them. I want a daily driver streetable car that can attain low 13's possibly high 12's. I am budget minded though. Don't want to buy cheap crap, but when there are cheaper ways to safely go about building the engine, then i'm 100% for it. That being said, what setup for the HCI mods should I attempt. I have done various searches and get a bunch of mix opinions (which might happen here too) but I think it's worth a shot. As I have read, the cheapest route would be gt40's but will this get me to my goal. What are the differences in power between the gt40, gt40p, and gt40x? I know the gt40x is aluminum, the others are iron correct? But do they flow about equal, or major difference between them? Basically let me put a list of what I want.

-Daily Driver attaining low 13's - high 12's
-Not too worried about gas consumption (if i was i would have a 4cyl import )
-Wouldn't mind a little bit of a jumpy idle to feel the power, but definitely don't care if it's there or not, prefer it not being there over being there in excess
-Would like to keep it NA
-Would like to keep the budget as low as possible

Sorry for a lot of questions, but as much help as possible would be appreciated. I have dealt w/mod motors, but not so much with 5.0's yet, so any help counts. Thanks in advance. :SNSign:

Now this is the kinda posts that will get responses - good job being thorough.

Hit up the search on the Trickflow H/C/I kits - it's hard to argue with their bang for the buck and proven power, plus you will have a brand-new top half of your engine when you are done.

There's a thread on the front page right now about just that.

Wes

 

[Green 94 5.0]

my bang for the buck combo led me to about 290hp and 310lb/ft to the wheels. with the right driver/tire combo that can be good for low 13's. my combo consisted of a pair of gt40x's with upgraded valves and springs but no port work, a tfs stage 1 cam, and a ported lower gt40 intake (a cobra intake would be a cost effective substitute. that with the right exhaust/induction setup could easily get you to your goal without coming close to breaking the bank. although the tfs h/c/i package is also a reasonably priced option with more potential for power down the road than the setup i listed. good luck with it and i hope this helps.

 

[final5-0]

Where are you starting from

Are you a GT or Cobra or Vert

Got a stick or auto trans

You should be able to get low 13's with an oem based combo. The focus here would be oem iron heads and something like a Cobra intake.

If a lighter GT coupe and stick trans is your setup ... it will be all that much more easier.

Grady

 

[Sweet Stang]

Thanks everyone for your replies so far, keep them coming.

 

[Sweet Stang]

Where are you starting from

Are you a GT or Cobra or Vert

Got a stick or auto trans

You should be able to get low 13's with an oem based combo. The focus here would be oem iron heads and something like a Cobra intake.

If a lighter GT coupe and stick trans is your setup ... it will be all that much more easier.

Grady

I'm a GT coupe w/5spd

 

[final5-0]

I'm a GT coupe w/5spd

That is all the more better for your goals

If you choose to use a performance measuring stick that is calibrated in time to cover the 1320 rather than a dyno

I'd focus more on an efficient 60 foot and gear ratio that allows you to cross the big end at an optimum rpm

AND

Put less of a focus on making all that much horsepower

Since you got the light coupe and stick trans

You can obtain your goal with much less hp than you might think
IF
You focus on where it counts MOST.

Grady

 

[Sweet Stang]

That is all the more better for your goals

If you choose to use a performance measuring stick that is calibrated in time to cover the 1320 rather than a dyno

I'd focus more on an efficient 60 foot and gear ratio that allows you to cross the big end at an optimum rpm

AND

Put less of a focus on making all that much horsepower

Since you got the light coupe and stick trans

You can obtain your goal with much less hp than you might think
IF
You focus on where it counts MOST.

Grady

Thanks for the info. BTW I love your avatar



Do you guys think it's possible to achieve at least a low 13 if I don't do the heads but do everything else. The heads are the most expensive part of my project. If I was to do the upper and lower intake w/all the other basic bolt-ons, would it get me to my goal. Like I said, I am not looking for a track monster but would like some pep in my stang, and the easiest and lowest budget way to get there will be great. What other cam could I run w/the stock heads and would it give me a noticeable increase in power?

BTW which heads are the stock ones on the 94-95 cobras?

 

[Mustangless]

cobras come with gt-40 heads. You can probably get some gt40/gt40ps off of an explorer for a decent price. I think there are a few guys with some decent combos with those heads. I think one guy is even at 300hp.

 

[Sweet Stang]

so anyone have any advice to my last questions?

 

[final5-0]

I know this advice is not popular

HOWEVER

Why re-invent the wheel when one is already available

The wheel thing is just like wondering about various possibilities concerning modding your Stang.

SEARCH and its many benefits

1) Others have done this already
2) You get specific details from those who done it
rather than
Incomplete info due to forgotten memories of past threads
3) The info is there now so you don't have to wait for answers

other benefits could be found ... but ... this is enough

I'm gonna go out on a limb and offer a clue that I hope can help
IIRC, I wanna say Dark Pony did what you ask about

Try a search using his name.

Just a thought or two more about your goals

You will have to invest some time perfecting your 1320 skills

Don't expect to do it on your first trip

Peeps have knocked off more than 1 full second with nothing more than practice and trying things like shift points, tire pressure, motor temps, etc

More horsepower is not always the only answer

Just to give you an idea about what is possible

Peeps have put Fox Coupes down the 1320 in the 12.00-12.10 range with less than 280rwhp

Granted ... That Fox Coupe is lighter than your car
but then again
You ain't lookin for 12 seconds flat results.

Grady

 

[Sweet Stang]

are these real gt40p heads or knock offs? if so do they seem to be a good deal for the price. They've been milled to a 10.1 compression, will that work fine with the stock pistons?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&viewitem=&item=330044499823

 

[Guero]

Thanks for the info. BTW I love your avatar



Do you guys think it's possible to achieve at least a low 13 if I don't do the heads but do everything else. The heads are the most expensive part of my project. If I was to do the upper and lower intake w/all the other basic bolt-ons, would it get me to my goal. Like I said, I am not looking for a track monster but would like some pep in my stang, and the easiest and lowest budget way to get there will be great. What other cam could I run w/the stock heads and would it give me a noticeable increase in power?

BTW which heads are the stock ones on the 94-95 cobras?

When i had gears, exhaust pullies intake, a ran a best of 14.00 and 99.98mph on street tires and i had problems gripping. If i had slicks i could of easily got a 13.7

 

[SeventyMach1]

are these real gt40p heads or knock offs? if so do they seem to be a good deal for the price. They've been milled to a 10.1 compression, will that work fine with the stock pistons?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&viewitem=&item=330044499823

Look like authentic P's to me.