Is my car going to be a dog?

[$uperstang]

So I am getting mixed opinions from people on my set-up. I have to admit I did not plan everything like I should have and some parts were purchased b4 others so I tried to make the best of the situation as you can see in my sig, this is my set up. I spent about $3900 on the long block alone and put it together myself. Total I spent $8500 but that includes Trans work, suspension, intake, injectors, MAFS, exhaust, radiator, O2 sensors and extenders, valve covers all the way to spark plugs and a new belt and so on.

So I hear from people: your intake will not pull enough air for those heads, your headers are too big, your cam is too small. So ok I get real frustrated then hearing this crap. All I wanted was a great street car that runs low 12's, will it make it? I know the intake was not the wisest of choices but dam you should see how sweet it looks fully polished with all the other polished goodies. I comprimised HP for looks in that case? What do you guys think? The last thing I am going to do is change anything now.

If this machine does not make low 12's VORTECH HERE I COME!!!!!!

 

[Sicarius428]

Get your intake ported and you should be good for 12s.
Kevin

 

[srothfuss]

Yeah, send that Cobra lower out to TMOSS (www.tmossporting.com) and you'll be fine.

I'm no Ford engine expert, but it doesn't look like you'll have any problems.

 

[$uperstang]

Get your intake ported and you should be good for 12s.
Kevin

Talked to the machine shop about porting the lower for the $200 it would have cost they said it really would not be worth it, maybe 10hp or somehting. Plus the whole thing is all back together and up and running. I still have to adjust timing but dam does it sound nice. I have not driven it yet because of the snow!

 

[srothfuss]

Stinking salted roads! I am really starting to hate Michigan winters. The porting isn't about how much additional power you'll get but about how much air is should flow to feed your heads. Tom charges less than what you were quoted (last year he did.) He also has a discussion board on his site to ask questions like this on. He has a similar setup as yours (without the extra cubes)

 

[Thomas302]

My old set up in my coupe was really close to your setup and my best time in Phoenix AZ with no tuning in the computer and my first time driving it was a [email protected] 1.66 60' on E.T streets, and I drove it there from NM at 20mpg. The only difference I see is mine is a coupe 3020lbs 5sp, 10.5:1 331ci, match ported only GT-40w/1"spacer(same as your cobra), XE274hr cam(alittle bigger then yours), C&L 76 mass air, 1 5/8 LT, everything else was the exacly the same including no smog or A/C. The car made a lot of low end, but it did suffer in the higher rpm range. I know with some more time with it, it would have been solid 11's, but I decided to get more radical with it (speed is addicting). Don't get discouraged, it will be a handful, trust me.

 

[bcd]

sounds pretty good to me. the only possible problem i see is the gears might not be low enough for the stall but i dont know anything about automatics so see for your self.

 

[$uperstang]

My old set up in my coupe was really close to your setup and my best time in Phoenix AZ with no tuning in the computer and my first time driving it was a [email protected] 1.66 60' on E.T streets, and I drove it there from NM at 20mpg. The only difference I see is mine is a coupe 3020lbs 5sp, 10.5:1 331ci, match ported only GT-40w/1"spacer(same as your cobra), XE274hr cam(alittle bigger then yours), C&L 76 mass air, 1 5/8 LT, everything else was the exacly the same including no smog or A/C. The car made a lot of low end, but it did suffer in the higher rpm range. I know with some more time with it, it would have been solid 11's, but I decided to get more radical with it (speed is addicting). Don't get discouraged, it will be a handful, trust me.

Thanks for the encouragement man! Looks to me if yours ran 12.1 I should be a little slower but I will also have it Dyno Tuned by a local shop here, Alternative Auto and the tuner, Lidio, is one of the best around! Hopefully I will be able to hit 12.4 or something.

 

[$uperstang]

Stinking salted roads! I am really starting to hate Michigan winters. The porting isn't about how much additional power you'll get but about how much air is should flow to feed your heads. Tom charges less than what you were quoted (last year he did.) He also has a discussion board on his site to ask questions like this on. He has a similar setup as yours (without the extra cubes)

Agree Michigan sucks ass!

 

[Sicarius428]

Check out Tmosses site... you will probably see more than 10hp more and have a much better powerband which is really what you are after...
Kevin

 

[Thomas302]

Whats the elevation in Michigan? Phoenix is around 1200' and HOT!. I say if you tune all the hp out of it and drive it like you stole it, you should be 12.1-12.2, even with some more weight, because I believe Michigan is around sea level and better colder air. Good luck with your combo, and let us know how it turns out.

 

[matm347]

I would take some tools to the track or dyno, pull the spacer out and see how much power under the curve you get. Longer runners help torque but hurt top end HP.

You'll get much more than the "10HP" from a PROPERLY ported intake, the Cobra has more room than the GT-40s for porting. 1.72 rockers would help across the curve due to the valves opening faster as well as the increase in lift. I would get the intake done first though.

 

[srothfuss]

Elevation in Michigan is probably around 100 - 200 feet, but it's FLAT land everywhere you look around here.

In the summers, the air is very moist (Relative Humidity typically 70% or higher) so that hurts our performance a little. But definently colder here than in Az.

 

[tmoss]

Regardless who does it........that lower REALLY needs porting and it won't be just 10HP either.

 

[Grn92LX]

That will run 12's. BUT, why that cam? Why that 1" spacer? Why that manifold?

I understand not wanting to buy more parts but at the very least ditch that 1" spacer since your manifold is already WAY too long a runner.

 

[K.C.90gt]

In my opinion, the cobra intake is gonna start to choke up on the top end due to only being able to support around 350HP, which you should be a little above with the stroker, AFR 185's, and tune. I would either port the lower or get a different intake if you want to gain some more power. Regardless, your combo is capable of low 12's, but I dont think you will hit that due to traction issues. Your car looks lowered and your on street tires. Do you plan on running drag radials? My guess would be high 12's or borderline 13's. Lidio does good work, I got my car tuned there and he solved all my driveability issues, kept my car streetable, and gained me 30 - 40HP to the wheels all for a decent price. Good luck.