Stroker Kit, Or Regular Engine Rebuild Kit What's The Difference?
I am in the middle of getting my 88 GT back in shape but i'm lost. What's the difference between ( money included), buying a stroker kit, buying an engine rebuild kit, and just getting a crate engine. Looking at some the horsepower #'s for alot of guys i see there's not much difference from a s/c 306, and a NA 347. I am debating on going with a 331 or s/c 306. My question is what's more pratical? I want about 400 rwhp, and the set up will have juice and a s/c. Is it cheaper for me to just get a dart block and put all the forged internals in or just say screw it and ge a crate. Help fellas i am lost, and my pockets are a burnin!
Just one note, no matter from whom you get it, check that all is tight to specs and that everything is clean. Id go with a 331 with 9:1 compression tops.
hey thanks alot bro, i've been thinking about this for over a year and i am getting all kinds of ideas and #'s. i will try to find a good site for crate engines
check out the ford website...will list all of their crate motors...I would personally go with a 351 cleveland and bore it out to add cubage (358 cubic inches)...will be putting well over 450+ hp with right setup
Is it cheaper for me to just get a dart block and put all the forged internals in or just say screw it and ge a crate.
The words cheaper and dart block should never appear in the same sentence!
To me, a crate engine makes the most sense, check out Coast High Performance, or DSS or FRPP, among others that sell short blocks, long blocks or even turn key engines.
Keep in mind if you go the Windsor route, a lot of parts from your 5.0 won't work. Balancer, flywheel, intake, headers and oil pan come to mind. It's nice to have the extra cubes and stronger block, but it comes at a price, about an extra $2k near as I can figure.
I've done a lot of research on this subject since I'm trying to decide between a 347 and a 408 myself.
Get as much information as you can before you plunk down your hard earned money.
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OFR - old fart racing
We're not the fastest car at the track but we might be having the most fun.
If you're not having fun, then you're taking this stuff too seriously!
The car is an 88, is it MAF or SD? I'm assuming if it's not a California 5.0 it's still SD unless you've converted it to MAF. Or are you thinking about running a carb?
Are your plans to keep most of the vehicle accessories? A/C? Smog? Anything power enhancers on the current motor that can be used on the new one?
Is the car a daily driver? Or a flat out strip car?
What is the top limit on money you want to spend on the engine only? Bigger ###'s= Bigger $$$'s.
How much work are you willing or capable (no offense intended) :thumbsup of doing?
Going 351W blocks can be an expensive proposition, as you will have to acquire a bunch of items that will not swap over from the 302 HO.
I've never been to Iceland, so is there any quality shops with dynos locally available? Might be a good place to start.
The new Ford Racing catalog lists an improved 5.0 block with 4 bolt mains on 2,3, &4. Might be a good starting point for a 347 stroker. If you go with Ford Racing crate engine, remember that these are production engines built with Ford performance parts. That is: you have to look through their specs and see what they built it with. You're not getting forged piston, cranks, or rods on certain motors, or upgraded bolts, etc.
Thanks Hack, yeah the car is still an SD. Being that it has 200k on the ticker I was thinking of just getting basically everything new but i want to keep the smog, A/C, and other power enhancers if i could. As far as a daily driver i would say somewhat, i have two other cars that i drive but i think i will be taking the stang out atleast 3 x's per week. I am not too savvy on doing alot of engine work myself, but i am doing the suspension and paint job. My ceiling was $7000. I did not want to go over that. From what i have read i am shying away from the 347 set up, i want somewhat of a long life with the engine. Yes i am currently in Iceland and these clowns have nooo dyno, noooo shops and nooo stangs here, ( well a few) i've seen about 2 in the 2 years that i've been here 3 including mine. I am transferring back to the U.S. in July and i wanted to get to working on my stang as soon as possible. I will be in MD about 20 mins from Budds Creek Race way. So i am looking forward to that. Basically i want a strong engine that will last me atleast two or three yrs, but you are right, i really need the forged internals.
As long as we're on the subject, what is the mildest stroker kit you can get? 331? Is there something even less radical than that? I'd like to stoke for a little more low end torque but I want to avoid excessive where on the old 5.0.
Stroker Kit, Or Regular Engine Rebuild Kit What's The Difference? 
