Which route to go?

Zero_chance

Founding Member
May 29, 2001
1,243
7
59
Maricopa, AZ
Just looking for some insights and opinions. Im getting torn trying decide what I want to do. I was originally thinking of going with either a 393 or a 427 just because I like the big torque and HP numbers available NA. But now that Im doing more research and looking around more, Im thinking a 347 with a Trickflow top end kit, supercharger, and a good tune would put out some impressive numbers too. Not to mention be a lot easier than a 351 swap. Not that the swap is all that hard but itd look to be more cheaper and probably net me bigger numbers than the 427 would since I wouldnt have the money to go forced induction. Anyone running a similar 347 setup?
 
That's a toss up really. The 393 or 427 NA combo would be cheaper than a 347 stroker with a power adder, but you're right, it may make less power. Personally, I think the 351 based engine would be cheaper and easier because the swap itself is straightforward, and you only need to pick up a 351 truck distributor to make it work, since everything else you'd be buying would be based on using a 351W already. All of the brackets will swap over from the 302 and the transmission will bolt up to the 351 block with no problem. Parts would be more expensive (AFR 225 heads, Eddy Vic. JR heads, etc.), but I think with the chunk of cash you'd throw at a SC, you'll still end up ahead with a 351 based stroker. You'll need a cowl hood to clear the 351 though.
 
Looks like you wanna make power :nice: ... big power :eek:

I see your concerns
and
I relate to your concerns

on the different ways to go about that objective ;)

NO way is right or wrong :)
and
ALL ways have their compromises :(

I've been in and out of this hobby since the the late 60's :D
soooooo
I have to say ... you can't move from a reliable stocker Stang
to THAT much more power with NO issues :nono:

You mention NA Windsor stroker
and
You mention blown 347

I see the TFS kit on a 347 as being too small :(
and
especially so on a blown one :shock:

Consider this line of thinking :D

I think the biggest bang for the buck when considering ......
dollar spent for each rwhp obtained is

An oem block that is fresh or at least .......
has not enough miles to prevent good ring seal

Iron 40 or 40p's ... or ... any of the older Aluminum heads

The intent here is to increase the flow over the E7's :)
but
not to the extent of laying out the cash for TFS, AFR, or Edels :(

Any of the intakes would work such as Cobra, TFS, Edel

Blower of your choice :shrug:

Of course ... the supporting parts such as maf, inj, exhaust, etc
and
At this level ... a tune is a M U S T :D

Good points are ...
everything fits with the oem block and no issues as with larger Windsor
different hood not needed
headers and the like are available

Bad points are ...
forced combo is way more of a hassle than NA

Please :)
Don't anybody read into that statement ......
I don't like forced induction :nono:
but
It can be kinda finicky at times :bang:

Well ... that is one method of how I see a way to big power :banana:
with
not too many hassles :)

Again ... you can't get to substantial power gains with no issues :Word:

Grady
 
So in your opinion would a 347 with say GT40 aluminum heads and a GT40 or Cobra upper be a good initial setup? If so, would they be too restrictive with a Vortech S-trim pushing about 8psi of boost that would come down the road? If so Id be even more inclined to go that direction for not only the cost reasons but also the fact that I like that most of it will be blue oval instead of aftermarket. I understand supporting mods would be necessary and have accounted for that in my cost factors.
 
I like the 347 route for the fact you can add the SC later. You can break the build up into two sections so any extra expenses along the route will be easier to take in, by simply putting off the power adder.

Which is exactly what I'm doing. The first stage of the 331 took more money than I had planned, so now the SC will wait. Until then, I'll just settle for 12s and 11s on the bottle. I also get the same gas mileage I did before. :nice: Well, until I press that one pedal down. :D
 
That was my reasoning exactly now Im trying to figure out a combination thatll work good with the 347 NA and not be too restrictive once I add the supercharger. Going with the 427 would be bada$$ but would be a lot of headaches and a lot of cash.
 
So in your opinion would a 347 with say GT40 aluminum heads and a GT40 or Cobra upper be a good initial setup? If so, would they be too restrictive with a Vortech S-trim pushing about 8psi of boost that would come down the road? If so Id be even more inclined to go that direction for not only the cost reasons but also the fact that I like that most of it will be blue oval instead of aftermarket. I understand supporting mods would be necessary and have accounted for that in my cost factors.

OK

I personally don't have a preference of OEM over After Market :nono:
cause
I'm after power for my main objective :shrug:

302 parts on a 347 is gonna be restrictive :notnice:
and
It makes no difference if NA or Blown :D

True ... the blower is gonna force the mix in there

True ... TFS kit is gonna flow more than typical gt40 stuff

Here is where you need to decide if the additional bucks spent
for the TFS kit is worth the gain they will provide over the less
expensive gt40 parts :shrug:

I mean ... you would be able to split the block with the less
expensive stuff ;)

I just see the more expensive TFS kit on a blown 347 and
stock OEM block kinda like ...

Beautiful Expensive Wheel & Tire combo on a beat up old Volkswagen ...

Not a good use of hard earned money if you see what I mean :shrug:

If starting from scratch and going blown .........

I like the idea of older Aluminum heads for a blown application
due to their thick deck over ALL OEM iron heads because
it can help with not lifting the heads. Are Aluminum heads a
must here ... NO ... but I do think they could help somewhat

If you look around ... they can be found for not all that much money

Do the same for an intake and the other parts and you then
will have W A Y more hp on tap than typical NA combos and
at a good value to boot :)

To me ... it is time for a bit of reality :D

Hey ... If the truth be told ......

A low boost mid to high 300 rwhp blown combo on the cheap like this
one here is more than ample to provide you with:

tons of tickets
break transmissions
break rear ends
burn down tires
pop hg's
and
all the other stuff that goes along with forced big hp

Also ... if you up the boost for hp in the 400's :shock:

You can just have all the more fun breaking more and more stuff :rlaugh:

Don't be mislead with my ramblings here :nono:

I will be forced myself ............................................. some day ;)

Grady