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

Looking to hit around 350 BHP..best option?

  • Thread starter Thread starter teamgs
  • Start date Start date Aug 9, 2004
  • 1
  • 2
Next
1 of 2 Next Last

teamgs

Founding Member
Aug 2, 2001
140
0
0
Elk Grove, CA
Aug 9, 2004
#1
  • Aug 9, 2004
  • #1
Greetings,
My 94 vert just hit 200K miles, and is starting to use a little oil. I figured that it was time to go through the motor, and freshen it up, and then I wanted to add some more power. This is a daily driver, and will most likely never hit the track. I am looking just to get around 320 - 350 BHP., and seriously don't ever anticipate needing to get 400+ BHP from the car. I just don't like getting my a$$ handed to my by WRX's and Evo's, etc. I really don't want to go with nitrous, so my options are, I guess:

1. Get a crate motor.
2. Rebuild the current unit and the H/C/I (Though I am not sure if this will get me to my HP goal.)
3. Rebuild the motor and add a supercharger. (I was looking at the Powerdyne, as I didn't need a racer, and they appear to have solved some off the quality problems, but I am open to all options)

Any thoughts as to the most cost effective method to oreach my goal?

Regards,

Gary
 

Rootus

Officially Addicted
Feb 8, 2003
6,659
1
0
Portland, Oregon
Aug 9, 2004
#2
  • Aug 9, 2004
  • #2
350 is doable with the right H/C/I and a 302.

Dave
 

Grn92LX

Fidanza Man!
Founding Member
Jan 14, 2001
6,819
64
129
New York
Aug 9, 2004
#3
  • Aug 9, 2004
  • #3
350hp at the fly (290-300 to the wheels) is as simple as ordering a tfs combo and the rest of the add ons. Since you wanna rebuild it but dont wanna go crazy, i'd take the block to a local trysty machine shop and have it checked out. Then if its all good, have it align honed, bore/honed with a tq plate, decked, cleaned, new cam bearings and freeze plugs. Then buy a good rebuild kit for a 306 with good bearings and rings. You can reuse your stock rods/crank. get good forged pistons that will give you about 10:1+ with whatever cc your head is.

For your car and goals, i'd just buy a trickflow combo along with 24lb injectors, 75mm TB, a pro m 80mm mass air, longtube headers and a 190 fuel pump. If you wanna go more radical, contact ed c, jay allen or buddy rawls for a custom cam.
 

teamgs

Founding Member
Aug 2, 2001
140
0
0
Elk Grove, CA
Aug 9, 2004
#4
  • Aug 9, 2004
  • #4
DOH! I forgot, that since I live in CA, it also has to be Smog Legal.

Dave, any place I could research the "right" HCI? (Besides here)

Grn92LX, is the TFS combo smog legal?

It is interesting that you both suggested NA, versus SC. Is that because it is more reliable, or cheaper, or both?

I appreciate your replies!

Regards,

Gary
 

Grn92LX

Fidanza Man!
Founding Member
Jan 14, 2001
6,819
64
129
New York
Aug 9, 2004
#5
  • Aug 9, 2004
  • #5
n/a is just a personal preference but i love n/a and spray The right h/c/i combo will walk your typical; 8lbs of boost charger car. Dunno if the TFS combo is legal. Will it pass smog, yes, will it pass cali's gay laws, not sure.
 

teamgs

Founding Member
Aug 2, 2001
140
0
0
Elk Grove, CA
Aug 9, 2004
#6
  • Aug 9, 2004
  • #6
Hey Grn92LX,
After looking at TrickFlow's site, the street heat heads are legal, but it doesn't say anything about the intake manifold.

Hmmm..I'll keep looking for info.

Thanks,

Gary
 

revhead347

Apparently my ex-husband made that mistake.
20+ Year Stangneter
Jun 14, 2004
9,302
1,644
214
Acworth, GA
Aug 10, 2004
#7
  • Aug 10, 2004
  • #7
They Holley Systemax kit guarantees 350 hp, and is a good deal. It includes a lot of the nickel and dime stuff that you don't anticipate. I would do a basic short block rebuild with forget pistons. Stock crank and rods are fine. Then spend the money for the Systemax kit.

Kurt
 
F

FEESER 94 COBRA

New Member
Mar 5, 2004
142
0
0
Aug 10, 2004
#8
  • Aug 10, 2004
  • #8
I just had a 347 built for under 2k.
 

teamgs

Founding Member
Aug 2, 2001
140
0
0
Elk Grove, CA
Aug 10, 2004
#9
  • Aug 10, 2004
  • #9
Under 2K? Wowee! The 2K didn't include the h/c/i, did it?

As for the Systemax II, Kurt, I had looked at that system, but it stated it was for 86-93, and I have a 94. It also doesn't say anything about CARB certification.

Thanks for the input!

Regards,

Gary
 

Grn92LX

Fidanza Man!
Founding Member
Jan 14, 2001
6,819
64
129
New York
Aug 10, 2004
#10
  • Aug 10, 2004
  • #10
The systemax kit wouldnt do as good for you as a tfs street kit. You have a heavy sn95 vert, low end tq is very important. The holley kit wouldnt make as much sub 3500rpm power as the trickflow kit. I had the trickflow kit. All you need to make it work on a 94/95 is that elbow adapter thingy. Get the tfs elbow as its 75mm.
 

teamgs

Founding Member
Aug 2, 2001
140
0
0
Elk Grove, CA
Aug 10, 2004
#11
  • Aug 10, 2004
  • #11
Grn92LX said:
You have a heavy sn95 vert, low end tq is very important.
Click to expand...


My car isn't heavy, it just big boned!

Regards,

Gary
 

revhead347

Apparently my ex-husband made that mistake.
20+ Year Stangneter
Jun 14, 2004
9,302
1,644
214
Acworth, GA
Aug 10, 2004
#12
  • Aug 10, 2004
  • #12
Yeah, all you need is the elbow. That goes for any intake though. The elbow was like $86 when I bought it. You can use the trickflow kit, but the Holley intake is a lot better. You can also run whatever heads you want with that intake. I'm running a Systemax 2 with a set of Canfield heads.

Kurt
 

mystang94gt

New Member
Jun 14, 2004
951
0
0
Bay Area, CA
Aug 10, 2004
#13
  • Aug 10, 2004
  • #13
If you decide to go with the trick flow H/C/I kit contact them ahead of time and talk to them. I am sure they can swap a cam that will pass CA emissions. I talked to a place once before that was willing to do that for me. Cant remeber where though sorry.
 
J

Jason@AFR

Member
Aug 9, 2004
58
0
6
California
Aug 10, 2004
#14
  • Aug 10, 2004
  • #14
To get 350+ HP, and to do it legally, is pretty easy on your 302. You can go several routes in Ca. legally, I know that the Performer and Performer RPM Manifold's are legal, I am pretty sure that the Trick Flow's are not. I am also 95% sure that the GT-40 intake is legal on a 94-95. Any of those intakes will support 350-400 HP.

The heads are going to be an obvious suggestion from me, c'mon, buy some AFR 165's
But to be honest, the Trick flow heads are a pretty good choice if you prefer them, Trick flow makes a great out-of-the box cast head.

The choice is really up to you, the Twisted wedge heads are comparable to our 165, but don't ask a salesman who is better. Take a look at the flow numbers per cc, along with independent testing, then make your decision.

If you want more info, don't hesitate to ask.
 

mystang94gt

New Member
Jun 14, 2004
951
0
0
Bay Area, CA
Aug 10, 2004
#15
  • Aug 10, 2004
  • #15
Trick Flow Street heat is CA Smog legal with the right Cam.
 
J

Jason@AFR

Member
Aug 9, 2004
58
0
6
California
Aug 10, 2004
#16
  • Aug 10, 2004
  • #16
the cam has nothing to do with the legality of a head here in California, it is all about the C.A.R.B. number, and the twisted wedge has one.
If a head doesn't have a C.A.R.B. number, it is illegal in Ca., it sucks, but its true
 
W

wytstang

Mustang Master
Mar 14, 2004
4,988
4
78
Summerville,SC missing South Fl. weather :(
Aug 10, 2004
#17
  • Aug 10, 2004
  • #17
Edelbrock performers are smog legal and their new design is said to flow just as good as the afr 165s and cheaper.
 

mystang94gt

New Member
Jun 14, 2004
951
0
0
Bay Area, CA
Aug 10, 2004
#18
  • Aug 10, 2004
  • #18
Jason@AFR said:
the cam has nothing to do with the legality of a head here in California, it is all about the C.A.R.B. number, and the twisted wedge has one.
If a head doesn't have a C.A.R.B. number, it is illegal in Ca., it sucks, but its true
Click to expand...

I was only speaking as far as passing the smog test itself and with the right cam you can pass smog with that H/I set up. if you pass the sniffer most places dont care what you've done to the car and wont worry about the C.A.R.B. number anyway. In my area at least.....
 
J

Jason@AFR

Member
Aug 9, 2004
58
0
6
California
Aug 11, 2004
#19
  • Aug 11, 2004
  • #19
mystang94gt said:
I was only speaking as far as passing the smog test itself and with the right cam you can pass smog with that H/I set up. if you pass the sniffer most places dont care what you've done to the car and wont worry about the C.A.R.B. number anyway. In my area at least.....
Click to expand...


Definitely agree with you, it is a fairly conservative head, and even with a relatively healthy cam, he should pass out the pipe. But just in case they do check under the hood, believe me it is a bad day .
 

VibrantRedGT

"STANGNET'S PENGUIN SMACKER"
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
14,679
424
154
Boca Raton, Florida
Aug 11, 2004
#20
  • Aug 11, 2004
  • #20
Jason@AFR said:
he should pass out the pipe. .
Click to expand...

We use to do that in my dorm room at college.
 
  • 1
  • 2
Next
1 of 2 Next Last
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

J
Help Figuring Motor Choice(Possible future turbo)?
  • jaygee15
  • Dec 14, 2025
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
13
Views
653
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Jan 3, 2026
Jarhead67
J
S
Block questions
  • s_vargas54
  • Jan 25, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 2
Replies
21
Views
746
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Feb 8, 2026
Trogdor
Engine Suggestions on an engine rebuild. Stock cam/GT40Ps or aftermarket on both for a fun weekend driver?
  • MadSquirrelTech
  • Apr 28, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
  • 2
Replies
23
Views
833
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech May 7, 2026
MadSquirrelTech
H
Forced Induction On3 Turbo Kit- Parts list NEEDED - 302 Stock Motor
  • Hirothecool1
  • Feb 27, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
  • 2
Replies
21
Views
1K
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Mar 7, 2026
slow84lx
S
G
Supercharger Options 5.4 32V Intech
  • Germangazguzzler
  • Apr 19, 2025
  • Other Auto Tech
Replies
4
Views
1K
Other Auto Tech Apr 23, 2025
RaggedGT
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 1994 - 1995 Specific Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?