Is this worth $800?

[DarkMesa8]

Here's the possible plan, I'm mulling over what to do in my 95 GT Vert.

Replace the Crane 2031 with an FTI Custom grind $350
Sell the 2031 -$100
Replace the stock pistons with Speed Pro Forged, higher compression ($250)
Deck the heads .040 $100
Gaskets, rings, etc $150
Hone $50

That should come out to about $800. The shortblock only has 80,000 miles on it, so I'm not going to bore it out.

Here is the car... would the gains be worth $800? (What gains could I expect?)

Engine: 302ci
Edelbrock Aluminum Performer 5.0 cylinder heads
Crane 2031 cam (.513in/.529ex)
FMS Cobra intake (ported/polished/powdercoated)
1.7 Cobra Roller Rockers
Mac Underdrive pulleys
Mac cold air intake
75 mm Pro-M MAF meter
BBK 65mm throttle body
Summit Racing harmonic balancer
180 degree thermostat
Fluidyne aluminum radiator
Wazee power steering and idler pulleys
Wazee EGR delete kit
FMS high-flow oil pump
FMS windage tray
ARP Bolt Kit

Computer: T4M0
Autologic Custom Burned Chip

Ignition:
MSD 6T Ignition Box
MSD Soft Touch Rev Limiter
MSD 8.5mm Super Conductor Wires
MSD Blaster Coil

Power Adder:
NOS 5115 80/150 Dry Shot

Fuel System:
FMS 30lb Injectors
BBK 255lph Fuel Pump
Kirban Adjustable FPR
Autometer Underhood Fuel Pressure Gauge

Exhaust:
Mac 1 5/8" jet-hot coated longtube headers
Mac 2.5" Prochamber Offroad Pipe
Mac Flowpath Mufflers (Dumped)

Transmission/Drivetrain:
Borg Warner T5 Stock Spec
King Cobra Clutch
FMS 3.55 gears
FMS aluminum driveshaft
Welded driveshaft loop

Suspension/handling upgrades:
Welded full length subframe connectors
Eibach Pro springs
Monroe Sensa-Trac shocks/struts
FMS strut tower brace

 

[N8Miller]

yeah, that sounds about right. you should see a bunch from that cam swap. are you planning on doing all the labor yourself?

 

[DarkMesa8]

Everything except the honing, because buying the tool would cost more than dropping the block off at the shop.

All assembly, pulling the motor, etc will be taken care of.

Will the cam swap have a bigger effect than the higher compression (new pistons/decked heads)? What kind of increase could I except from those two combined?

Would is be worth 8 Ben Franklins?

 

[DarkMesa8]

Could I just glaze break the cylinders?

 

[giddyup306]

IMHO i'd just do the cam. Why do you want to mill the heads? You can achieve the desired compression with the correct pistons.

 

[DarkMesa8]

So do you mean just do the cam and the pistons?

Edelbrocks are 60cc, and to get 10.5:1 (my goal) with 60cc I'd need to use a domed piston. I'd prefer to use a flat top. (or am I thinking too much here)?

 

[giddyup306]

So do you mean just do the cam and the pistons?

Edelbrocks are 60cc, and to get 10.5:1 (my goal) with 60cc I'd need to use a domed piston. I'd prefer to use a flat top. (or am I thinking too much here)?

You do have a point that's why I asked. The old hemis had ignition problems with there depressed valve reliefs (like those on dome pistons). This caused a high pressure point between the reliefs causing pre-ignition (the air had to move around them rather than compress). With aluminum heads and some premium quality fuel I don't see any problems whatsoever.

 

[DarkMesa8]

Cool, I'll definitely consider that in deciding. If I could save 100 dollars I would like to.

Still curious as to the kind of hp/tq gains this increase in compression and cam change will see.

 

[giddyup306]

For every point you go up in compression (up to a certian point) you gain like a 2% increase in power (or somewhere around there). As far as the cam goes.......

 

[bluevenom867]

No it more like 4% gain for every piont in comp.
i.e. your motor makes 300hp at 9:1 than it what make 312hp at 10:1.

 

[DarkMesa8]

12hp... hardly sounds worth the trouble. What about the cam?

Would that gain be everywhere on the powerband, idle to 6000 rpms?

Does anybody think the cam could be worth 30hp? Or is that a stretch?

 

[N8Miller]

12hp... hardly sounds worth the trouble. What about the cam?

Would that gain be everywhere on the powerband, idle to 6000 rpms?

Does anybody think the cam could be worth 30hp? Or is that a stretch?

the cam MIGHT be worth that much if its set up perfectly.
Why dont you keep your pistons, and use the extra cash for some head porting? if you free them up, you will see some more power... more than a 1 compression point upgrade.

OFF TOPIC: can you send me some pics of your powdercoated intake? [email protected]
thanks

 

[DarkMesa8]

I can do better, here's my website

http://home.comcast.net/~jasonweg/index.htm

Well, new pistons would serve two purposes... would be getting rid of the "hypereucrackem" make, and the other to bump the compression.