I need help making a decision...

[1991notchbackLX]

Okay, here's the deal. I recently was involved in a transaction that went sour. I believed my car was sold so I sold off a ton of parts (most of which went to members on this forum for some really good deals, haha ). I sold off a set of tires and wheels, upper and lower control arms, a cowl hood, springs, etc. I am now sitting on about 3k, and I still have my car as it is described in my sig below. I took a hit in the wallet selling off the parts, and now I don't know what to do.

Should I sell my coupe and try to get back into a muscle car, or keep it and minimize the hit to my wallet by selling it off? Should I sell it and bank the money (voice of reason)? If I keep it, I'm considering putting a supercharger and some suspension parts on it.

I need some help/information. I've always been a naturally aspirated kind of guy. Right now I'm making 306 horsepower and 311 ft/lbs of torque. What supercharger would put me over 400 horsepower? I like the Vortech units, but I don't know much about them, honestly. What will I need to get along with the supercharger kit? I'll need the supercharger and all the hardware, injectors, a calibrated MAF, and a tune? Am I missing anything?

I'm welcoming all recommendations and suggestions. What trim level Vortech should I get to meet my power goal? Will my 255 lph Walbro be able to keep up? Will my 24 lb injectors be enough or should I upgrade? Will I be blowing out head gaskets and have heat issues? Help stangnet!

Here's my full setup:

Trickflow Twisted Wedge Heads 58cc, Ferrea 6000 series valves, "full competition bowl blend"

TrickFlow Track Heat Intake Manifold

custom camshaft (Jay Allen- Camshaft Innovations)

Comp Cams billet timing set

Comp Cams Pro Magnum 1.6 Roller Rockers

"Blue Printed & Limited Travel" Hydraulic Roller Lifters

BBK 70mm Throttle Body and BBK 70mm EGR Spacer

C&L 76mm MAF Sensor calibrated for 24lb injectors

24lb fuel injectors

Walbro 255 LPH fuel pump

BBK 1 5/8 longtube headers

MAC Prochamber

Spintech Pro Streets

 

[mob]

If you are set on selling it, you can always just buy all stock parts which with a little scavenging can be gotten for almost nothing or in most cases nothing at all.

But I would keep it. No need to sell it to buy another muscle car when you have one sitting in you driveway. A vortech kit is the easiest way to get a lot of horsepower, the HARDEST part is taping the oil pan for the oil drain line but that is incredibly simple so that says a lot. I think Vortech got rid of their a-trim superchargers, but it sucked anyways, I think it only put out 5-7psi. I think the cheapest one is the s-trim. It is better then the a-trim but I dont remember what kind of psi it puts out. The a-trim can still be found used but I wouldnt waste my time. Look for a used s-trim kit on corral or ebay and you will be able to find it for around 1500 I think The supercharger kit is realy just brackets, pulleys, pipes, and the headunit. You will need 42lb injectors, you pay for that mostly by selling your 24lbers, 42lbers and a maf go for around 250 on corral. The vortech kit should come with a t-rex inline fuel pump for extra fuel flow, and an fmu to add more fuel for boost. The fuel pump you have now is enough. I cant think of anything else youd need.

Other than that the hardest part will be getting the tune right. But you can go a couple different routes on that, from taking it to a shop or getting a tweecer, or Moates QH and doing it yourself.

Just keep it and go all out.

 

[skunk21]

another vote for keeping it. The vortech V3 s-trim doesn't use an oil line, the V3 is internally lubricated with a max of 10psi going by vortechs site on the 5.0 kit. with the mods you listed this kit would do it for you no problem IMHO .

 

[frcefedlx]

keep it and put a blower on it. Vortech is a good solid blower and as stated the V3 is self contained and will get your power goal easily. I did not notice if you block was stock but the blower would max it out if that is the case. Blower cars just require a little more maintenance but not a big deal. I think you would regret selling some time down the road, just something to consider.

 

[Grn92LX]

That sour transaction ruined my weekend lol j/k.

If it was me, I would keep it n/a and upgrade to 5 lug 4 wheel disk with some new wheels and a cowl hood. I'd do suspension stuff as well.

If you do end up with a supercharger, I would do a novi 2000 or a S trim with a pro m meter and 42-50lb injectors. You could also do one of those big lightning meters since you're getting a new tune anyway.

 

[EPIK]

Keep it Chris!!!! You have way too much time, money, & hard work invested into that car, & you will most likely regret it down the road if you get rid of it... Besides, where are you ever gonna find another one that nice when you get the itch for another notch??

 

[1991notchbackLX]

Thanks for the input guys! I guess what I'm worried about most is the stock shortblock handling the power. I'd also rather not be pushing out head gaskets all the time. I'd probably have the car tuned to about 450 horsepower if I went with the V3. The stock shortblock has 51k original miles on it. Who knows how long it will hold up.



Here's a question... would all of Vortech's kits bolt up to a 351W block in the same way?

 

[EPIK]

Thanks for the input guys! I guess what I'm worried about most is the stock shortblock handling the power. I'd also rather not be pushing out head gaskets all the time. I'd probably have the car tuned to about 450 horsepower if I went with the V3. The stock shortblock has 51k original miles on it. Who knows how long it will hold up.



Here's a question... would all of Vortech's kits bolt up to a 351W block in the same way?

Your block & internals will be fine @ 450hp... I know a couple of people running low 10s' with waaaaaay more than 450rwhp on a built/balanced stock block, but they are definitely lucky though... 91's have forged internals don't they?

 

[1991notchbackLX]

Your block & internals will be fine @ 450hp... I know a couple of people running low 10s' with waaaaaay more than 450rwhp on a built/balanced stock block, but they are definitely lucky though... 91's have forged internals don't they?

Yeah, I believe 92 and 93 have hypereutectic pistons and all shortblocks before then have forged pistons and rods.

 

[Shaolin Crane]

Yeah, I believe 92 and 93 have hypereutectic pistons and all shortblocks before then have forged pistons and rods.

forged pistons yes, forged rods no

 

[1991notchbackLX]

forged pistons yes, forged rods no

gotcha, my mistake

Anybody else have any opinions/thoughts on what they think i should do? I've been thinking a lot lately but I'm kind of at a stand still... Can some of you guys running forced induction give me your opinions on how much maintenance a supercharged application needs, and/or any negative experiences that would keep you from doing it again?

 

[Shaolin Crane]

why dont you take that 3 grand and invest in a aftermarket block and rotating assembly, you could easily just swap all your stuff over then later add ANY power adder you want and never worry about it

 

[old_blue]

save the money and just drive the car. YOu have a very stout mustang (more than most) and it must be a blast to drive as is. I would drive the hell out of that car.

hey epik- which is faster? the mach or the fox? I just noticed they are close in HP ratings and wondered if the weight was a factor??

 

[Shaolin Crane]

this ENGINE BLOCK, BOSS 302, BIG BORE MISCFORD or this FRPP BOSS 302 BLOCK MISCFORD plus this Coast High Performance - YOUR SOURCE FOR PURE HORSEPOWER & PERFORMANCE! equals

 

[MahFiVeOh]

I'm sure if you sold your car you'd be kicking yourself in the a$$ a few months from now.You lost some cash on selling the parts so why sell it now and lose more.Just use the 3 g's and buy yourself a new toy for the car and have fun with it.

+1 to keep it.

 

[89stang1]

Chris first off i say keep it for sure ive always loved your car!!! love the cobra seats to me u got the car right now.
NOW hears another aspect hear me out your car right now has great driveability and great street power no slouch!, so u want 400RWHP instead of spending all that money on a supercharger and all the fuel system upgrades injectors etc. it will get more expensive than i think u expect and at the end u dont have what u like the most NA stang. I think being you have forged pistons and good mileage and a perfect fuel system for a dry nitrous kit like mine (ZEX 82015 EFI Dry Nitrous Kit Ford Mustang 1986-1995 5.0L), for under 500 bucks you can buy this kit at atlantic speed .com thats where i got mine then get a window switch for 100 bucks and your done you will have the HP you want for under 600 bucks, still have the driveability of na the fun of NOS for the track or wherever in the end with this kit you will do no more damage than a blower with the abuse on tap all the time with a blower. That kit from zex ajusts the mix from the pressure off the bottle never giving u a lean mix, your fuel system is perfect for this kit. It will give u just what your looking for and you will have plenty cash left to get a big start at saving up for a 331 or 347 stroker for down the road. I cant believe how happy i am with my stroker, everytime i get out of my car im smilling i cant believe i can have this much fun power and its legal, we'll maybe not legal u know what i mean (STROKERS are the real NA MONSTERS)!!. Actually i figured when my stroker was done i would need the 75 shot. I was using the 125 shot on my 135 thousand mile stock engine with (stock injectors). But instead of my new engine making 325 RWHP on a dynojet which would of been perfect for a 75 shot to get me 400RWHP my car made 360RWHP 383RWT on a mustang dyno which would put me around 400RWHP on a dynojet then with my smallest NOS shot a 75 shot the math looks bad so Rick from RNH Perf. wants me to hold off on my nitrous at this point im alright with that . My point is not a bad path to take what i did i had the car i wanted so i made cheap fun power that let me save for the stroker i wouldn't change anything im happy as hell!!!.

 

[Shaolin Crane]

Chris first off i say keep it for sure ive always loved your car!!! love the cobra seats to me u got the car right now.
NOW hears another aspect hear me out your car right now has great driveability and great street power no slouch!, so u want 400RWHP instead of spending all that money on a supercharger and all the fuel system upgrades injectors etc. it will get more expensive than i think u expect and at the end u dont have what u like the most NA stang. I think being you have forged pistons and good mileage and a perfect fuel system for a dry nitrous kit like mine (ZEX 82015 EFI Dry Nitrous Kit Ford Mustang 1986-1995 5.0L), for under 500 bucks you can buy this kit at atlantic speed .com thats where i got mine then get a window switch for 100 bucks and your done you will have the HP you want for under 600 bucks, still have the driveability of na the fun of NOS for the track or wherever in the end with this kit you will do no more damage than a blower with the abuse on tap all the time with a blower. That kit from zex ajusts the mix from the pressure off the bottle never giving u a lean mix, your fuel system is perfect for this kit. It will give u just what your looking for and you will have plenty cash left to get a big start at saving up for a 331 or 347 stroker for down the road. I cant believe how happy i am with my stroker, everytime i get out of my car im smilling i cant believe i can have this much fun power and its legal, we'll maybe not legal u know what i mean (STROKERS are the real NA MONSTERS)!!. Actually i figured when my stroker was done i would need the 75 shot. I was using the 125 shot on my 135 thousand mile stock engine with (stock injectors). But instead of my new engine making 325 RWHP on a dynojet which would of been perfect for a 75 shot to get me 400RWHP my car made 360RWHP 383RWT on a mustang dyno which would put me around 400RWHP on a dynojet then with my smallest NOS shot a 75 shot the math looks bad so Rick from RNH Perf. wants me to hold off on my nitrous at this point im alright with that . My point is not a bad path to take what i did i had the car i wanted so i made cheap fun power that let me save for the stroker i wouldn't change anything im happy as hell!!!.

he has plenty of cash to do a stroker now

 

[89stang1]

he has plenty of cash to do a stroker now

3 grand?

 

[1991notchbackLX]

If I ever do a stroker motor it will be a big inch windsor, like a 410W or even up to a 427W. I don't see the sense in putting big money into forged internals in a stock block when the block itself is gonna give up the ghost long before the forged internals do.

A boss block or a dart block would be awesome but that's a really expensive route to take, seeing as they'd both need finish machining and assembly on top of the cost of the block and rotating assembly.

I have nothing against nitrous but my car is 100% street driven, and I just don't think it would be practical for me.

I know you gotta pay to play. I've put more than enough money into this car as is. I just still don't know which route to take...

 

[89stang1]

If I ever do a stroker motor it will be a big inch windsor, like a 410W or even up to a 427W. I don't see the sense in putting big money into forged internals in a stock block when the block itself is gonna give up the ghost long before the forged internals do.

A boss block or a dart block would be awesome but that's a really expensive route to take, seeing as they'd both need finish machining and assembly on top of the cost of the block and rotating assembly.

I have nothing against nitrous but my car is 100% street driven, and I just don't think it would be practical for me.

I know you gotta pay to play. I've put more than enough money into this car as is. I just still don't know which route to take...

I chose show apperance instead of dart block i would have loved to do both but could not afford to, i think my block will hold up as long as my rotating assembly does i probably could get away with a small shot of nos but theres no need right now i have all the power i need and still unbelievable great driveability!!, if your not happy with you HP and u are on a budget i still think NOS is the way to go GOOD LUCK