Engine Stock engine top half options for HP

MrPerfect2 · Aug 6, 2019

on a 91 GT convertible auto with 327 gears - “ IF “ I needed ( or wanted ,lol ) the top half engine rebuilt ( I know the term rebuilt is vague ) say a head gasket failed and needed to put a lot of labor hours in it . AND , I wanted to stay some what stock but get some extra HP power and torque from the effort . Does this sound like the way to go if head gasket change needed : retain the original iron heads ( more durable to resist warping ) have machine shop port them , change valves , guides , springs and add 1.7 rockers & port match the lower intake , then add some equal length shorties . Would this add some power ? Would stock throttle body , injectors and upper plenum be sufficient ?

General karthief · Aug 6, 2019

Yes it would add 'some' power.
Is it worth it dollars and cents wise? I don't think so.
This is what I would do: fix the head gasket. Have the heads checked, maybe a valve job if needed. Add a set of ceramic coated headers, stick a set of 3.73 gears in it and drive it.
Optional: if you can get a set of explorer heads that are good and cheap +1, explorer upper and lower +2. Keep all the rest stock.
DISCLAIMER: Just my opinion and not based on any real world mechanical experience.

MrPerfect2 · Aug 6, 2019

I would still have to do valve job on explorer heads . Port job is about $200 extra - 1.7s are $200 - how much approx HP / torque would this extra $400 yield ?

MrPerfect2 · Aug 6, 2019

Found a link to an oil test - started a thread

General karthief · Aug 6, 2019

I am far from an expert, I would say 25hp?

Noobz347 · Aug 6, 2019

The stock heads are no way to make HP cheaply. I'm not even certain that I would do headers on the stock pieces.

There's no way around the initial investment. If you want to make a noticeable difference in HP, you're going to have to either heads and supporting mods or invest in a blower.

You didn't mention miles but either option also includes supporting mods and a thorough examination of all the soft parts (gaskets, seals, hoses, etc... (for those that can't imagine what I mean by 'soft parts')).

...and don't even [think] of adding more power without sub-frame connectors and completely revitalizing (perhaps upgrade) the brake system.

A 3G alternator upgrade is [highly] recommended just to ensure coil saturation and the larger fuel pump (not to mention any other electrically demanding upgrades).

General karthief · Aug 6, 2019

I mentioned the ceramic coated headers mostly for looks, those stock headers are fugly!
If you look at ads for aftermarket heads they claim big gains but if you look at the dyno results they use fresh engines and no accessories. Search the motor trend channel for sbf dyno stuff, Jeff Smith thrashes some stuff that will surprise you with the results.
Again money spent on port and polished stock heads are better spent elsewhere.

MrPerfect2 · Aug 6, 2019

Thanks - car has 110k - I suppose if head gaskets do go , I should just get some aluminum aftermarket heads used and go from there or just do a regular valve job on stock ones and put back together

General karthief · Aug 6, 2019

I will add that this subject has been beat to death, and yes a better investment would be aluminum heads or on a budget the explorer heads.

Mustang5L5 · Aug 6, 2019

I wouldn't put a dime into stock heads or even GT40 heads.

Put the money towards this, or piece together a simplier, cheaper setup based around a quality Aluminum head.

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Noobz347 · Aug 6, 2019

It is very unlikely that the stock heads gasket will ever just, "Go". They are iron heads, mated to an iron block, and unless you plan on detonating or overheating the entire combo, the head gaskets will probably outlive you.

When I pulled my nearly 200k OEM motor out from under the 2.2L Blowzilla, they looked just fine.

Oil pan, rear main seal, and valve cover gaskets were a different story.

MrPerfect2 · Aug 6, 2019

Thanks everyone - $2,800 for heads is way out of my range on a $4000 car - but I get what you are saying -

General karthief · Aug 6, 2019

Put your money on a set of gears, it will really make driving the heavy vert more fun.

Mustang5L5 · Aug 6, 2019

MrPerfect2 said:
Thanks everyone - $2,800 for heads is way out of my range on a $4000 car - but I get what you are saying -

My point was, if you are going to spend the money, take the money you would have spent on redoing stock heads and buy a good Aluminum cylinder head and base your combo around that. You can use an explorer intake, off the shelf used cam, etc...but pick a good foundation to start with.

Buy once, cry once is my motto.

MrPerfect2 · Aug 6, 2019

I was considering gears -it has 327 factory option gears , but I agree higher ones would be fun - I use the car as a daily commuter and live in area with speed cameras every mile or so ( $130 gift mailed to you for going over limit 11mph - most roads are 30mph .... ) I enjoy simply cruising in the car with top down - rpm at 1800 on highway 60 mph .

General karthief · Aug 6, 2019

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

MrPerfect2 · Aug 6, 2019

I like your thinking General ! Cleaned out the fins on radiator yesterday , going to flush old fluid out today and see how it does - maybe I will get lucky and drop temps down 10 degrees or more and call it a day .

Noobz347 · Aug 6, 2019

MrPerfect2 said:
and live in area with speed cameras every mile or so ( $130 gift mailed to you for going over limit 11mph - most roads are 30mph .... )

I got one of those on the beltway once. It was nighttime and I was playing frogger with the tractor trailers in my 86. When it arrived, I used it to wipe my

...an advantage of not living there.

MrPerfect2 · Aug 6, 2019

Lol , $130 a pop starts to add up - they say it’s for safety and in our best interest .... my whole drive I am on the look out for these money grubbing cameras -

General karthief · Aug 6, 2019

We have stoplight cameras here, I drive a lot of cars with no tags on them and I bet they have a collection of pics with me waving as I blow the right hand turns, and no I am not using all my fingers.

Engine Stock engine top half options for HP

MrPerfect2

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair

MrPerfect2

MrPerfect2

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair

Noobz347

Stangnet Facilities Maint Tech... Er... Janitor

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair

MrPerfect2

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

1987-93 Ford Mustang 5.0L Trick Flow Top End Kit - LMR

Noobz347

Stangnet Facilities Maint Tech... Er... Janitor

MrPerfect2

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

MrPerfect2

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair

MrPerfect2

Noobz347

Stangnet Facilities Maint Tech... Er... Janitor

MrPerfect2

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair

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