Heres the deal. I own a 1985 Mustang Hatch with 105,000 miles on it. It is completely stock under the hood from oil pan to air cleaner. I have 2 1/2in catback exhaust, 3:73 gears, and Lakewood dragshocks in the rear. I want to get a weiand 174 powercharger for it. I have some questions first. Will the bottom end hold up and if so for how long with some abuse here and there. Will the T-5 tranny hold up as well as the 8.8 rearend. And how much power could I expect. Super Rod magazine said a bone stock 302 w/ stock heads and everything made 474 flywheel power but Im skeptical?? Anybody that has this blower or has any imput at all it wil be greatly appreciated!!!!!
Motor Help
- Thread starter 85fox
- Start date
I don't think they put the 8.8 rear into Mustangs until '86 so, no, your rear end won't hold up. As far as the T5, they usually don't hold up to stock power when raced, so ,no, it won't hold up. As far as the engine with that many miles, it won't hold up long. Sounds like before you buy a blower you need a stronger tranny, rear, and an engine rebuild.
i agree with mustangdave, freshen up the motor, replace the trans with a stronger one(Z series T5 should work nice, or G-force yours), replace the 7.5 rear with an 8.8. then bolt on a blower. just remember to build the engine with the blower in mind, forged pistons, blower cam, etc.
65ShelbyClone
Founding Member
Hold on now! 100,000 miles is nothing for a 5.0; it'll handle the blower just fine.
If you dont have 31 spline axles, you'll probably break one if you launch hard on slicks. The rest of that 8.8 is fairly bombproof, though. The T5 will probably break before anything else, especially if you powershift. 474fwhp sounds optimistic, but I wouldnt be surprised if you got 300-350rwhp(~350-420fw) with a stock longblock and low to moderate boost.
If you dont have 31 spline axles, you'll probably break one if you launch hard on slicks. The rest of that 8.8 is fairly bombproof, though. The T5 will probably break before anything else, especially if you powershift. 474fwhp sounds optimistic, but I wouldnt be surprised if you got 300-350rwhp(~350-420fw) with a stock longblock and low to moderate boost.
