Time to start the build... insight plz!

[chrisfletcher]

Hey guys,
Well im new to the mustang scene, but not new to mechanics by anymeans.

What exactly is the stock 302 block (roller motor), capable of handling without the block itself failing. This will be a street driven car, but i would like to see somewhere around mid 10second quarters with some wheels-up torque.

How do you guys feel about a 347 mated with a t-trim vortech? What are some companies to steer towards, and what are some to stay away from.....

Like i said, my goals are a street brawler, that (while i know suspension and tying the body together is a huge component, as much as tires are), id like to see it lift the front end skyward. What exactly am i getting myself into? Thanks guys,
Chris

 

[91ghp5.0]

The power you're looking for is probably not going to happen on a stock block. You may have a glory block that lasts for a while, but it isn't safe at all.

500 crank horsepower is the general limit for the stock block. Now with a dart or R block, and matching internals, you can't do whatever you want. Also look into a different transmission, a stock T5 will NOT cut it. If you want double overdrive, look into a T56 out of a terminator cobra. A TKO 500 or 600 would do just the trick as well.

If you want built longblocks/shortblocks, looking into Coast High Performance and DSS racing.

 

[MAC'n89Blckstng]

DSS blows up. My buddy had a 331 from DSS that split in half with under 5000 miles on it.

 

[bentley429]

Mid high 10's should be possible with a car under the block splitting number but doing it may be kind of tough. 347 with a T trim is going to go way over the 450 rwhp(around there) limit so a block would be needed which is where it starts getting expensive. If your looking to lift the tires a car just needs to be properly set up, doesnt exactly require ALOT of power. Figure on this: H/C/I with a SC turbo or nitrous, put around 450 down with a good platform and alot of practice at the track I dont see why you cant reach your goal.

 

[Aliate X]

A nice running h/c/i 302, an s trim, and good suspension can put you real close to where you want reliably, you start going 10's and its hard to do on a stock block, not that it cant be done at all. 10s on a stock block, turbo is IMO, the best way to go. A buddy of mine (hate to say that stupid phrase) went 10.60's with a 61mm on a h/c/i 302.

 

[chrisfletcher]

Thanks for all the serious responses guys. I come from an import background, and its good to see a forum that isnt full of a bunch of punks. while im 'only' 19 myself, Ive done nothing but bent wrenches for a living for the past 5 years, so im pretty comftable.

As for buying a pre-assembled block...id rather build me own. its a pride thing.

I must say though, im a bit depressed with these stock blocks being limited to 500hp. I know i gotta watch my mouth, but thats just unimpressive, and quite frankly, upsetting to me. Im a B18C1 nut, and these 4 cyl blocks are so boost friendly, that it is not uncommon to see then hit the 600whp mark on a stock block (with forged internals, and heavily boosted, as to be expected, but with a unmolested block itself)

So lets take the to the other end of the spectrum. How do you guys feel about the 460? This car will be street driven, but its a straight-line performance mindset here. The foxbody just doesnt handle like my GSR did, nor my MR2, plain and simple, and never will. It turns like crap, and brakes like crap, even with being lowered, tower bars, and slotted rotors. Its milestones above a stock fox, but coming from my background, ive come to terms that this will be a straightline car, and im ok with slowing down for the corners (gettin old ya know )

Anyway, what are the opinions on the 460 swap? Im looking for something that i can build right away, with somewhere around a 5-8000$ pricetag as of right now, and then indefinately upgrade until i either get bored of the build and move on, or finally become content (yeah right!). Im a big fan of forced induction, so thats something to keep in mind....I dont have a preference as to carb or efi, but as much as ive gathered (im still a little green to the domestic scene. work with me!) that it seems carb'd is almost a more cost-effective way to go for big numbers. streetability in my opinion needs to be something i can drive 40miles on the weekend without it breaking. Thanks again for all the help guys. Its appreciated.

 

[91ghp5.0]

I know you said you wanted to build your own, but Ford sells a conversion kit (a couple parts, although I'm not sure if you'll need a new transmission or not...obviously a T5 <stock transmission> won't take that kind of torque/power) and a crate motor through summit.

You'd have plenty of fun with a H/C/I car and spray.

Yes, the stock block isn't the best. The stock heads suck too....but there are so many cheap possibilites for tons of power. Good luck trying to break a DART block, it's pretty tough (I haven't ever seen it done).

 

[PeteyAce]

yea go for a dart, you can push well over supra limit with a dart block