Hey everyone,
I just bought myself a 93 gt with 120k on the clock, and i have about 5000-6000 cash left that i was planing on using to buy a new engine for it. (its my daily driver so i need it to be reliable) i am looking at a complete DSS 306 longblock, and a private builder quoted the same price (5500) on a 347 stroker longblock. Im hoping to one day turbo the car so both engines are based on that fact & prepped to support the boost. This is a huge cost to me, and i dont know enough to make such a decision - i dont want to mess up... i have 5500 cash (and i can add upgrades with time ofcourse) i want a new engine such that the turbo build will be a reliable daily driver, so what do you all think? ive read that turbo 347's are bad news? should i go with DSS or find some other company, (i was hoping for a 331 anyways) or use the private builder? i need help plz... This is a potential almost 6000 dollar mistake... all opinions appreciated.. (i really hope to make the car into a turbo daily driver that can run 10s... eventually, but until then i need a motor that will support that & work for me until that time comes) Also note that there is not a performance shop within 150+ miles of me, so im on my own... Thanks.-
Rob
unfortunately i cannot afford the same prep. & setup on a 331 block (the total is well over my cash amount) & given that alot of stock block turbo stangs crank out 500+ hp... i figure a built turbo fox should allow higher boost and potentially 550-650hp while being streetable.. no?
I have a DSS 331. So far so good. I took it out for it's first pass a couple weekends ago and ran 11.79 @ 121 granny shifting with the limiter set at 5900 (safe tune because it needs more fuel . .the 60 pound injectors and bigger fuel pump go in this week). I also ran an 11.80 @ 115 in and out of the throttle trying to bait someone.
With the limiter back up at 6500, the fuel issues resolved, and more timing, I expect to see 128-130 through the traps. That's easy 10 second time if I'm shifting.
It's my daily driver.
My old setup was a 306 and I ran a best of 11.95 @ 117
you could allways go with a 351 its a good solid Block and stable for more HP and you will get more Hp out the Motor if you build it right and will Cost way way less than doing a 331 if your going to be changing your Exaust any way
Well i must retain a/c.. (i dont think? you can do that with a 351 swap.. can you?) i live in florida... and gas mileage also matters b/c im a college kid... i really want the most bang for my buck with reliability... and still being an airconditioned daily driver....
agree i have a ten second daily and i think i got all that a 302 block can give naturaly asperated
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90 gt conversion,302 block,352 stroker,roller cam lifters,rockers,roush 200 race heads,64cc ,75mm tb,gt-40 upper and lower,x303 cam, screw factory computers still got speed dinsity and new nock sensors ya on a ford motor mega squirt II fuel management
Well 10's arent something you just whip out of a hat with a very limited budget, without taking your car on a major diet, and losing your mileage.
It will require a very strong block (especially if you want 10's on a 302), fairly radical camshaft and slicks (which arent street legal).
Driving a 10 second car will also more than likely have heat problems on the street.
I dont mean to burst your bubble, but a 10 second street car is very hard to achieve and you must have very deep pockets.
An 11 second street car is very possible.
I agree, completely. 10 seconds is very difficult on a tight budget . . even if you are building a stripped down track only car.
If you want the reliability factor, don't even try to go 10s with a street car. At that perfomance level, things break . . . its part of the deal. Even if things aren't "broken" there are constantly things that need tweaking, attention, and money.
My car gets about 4 miles to the gallon (if driven hard) . . . it hasn't been on a full diet . . . it still has air . . . it WILL go 10s on slicks . . . but hasn't yet . . . and I have spent a small fortune getting to where I am.
Speed costs money . . . and. getting a car from 14s to 12s is a lot cheaper than getting from 11s to 10s.
Well i know 10s are difficult, thats why 10's are my goal - right now its just about getting a good engine that will one day support that goal - thats the limited budget - im not expecting 10s anytime soon... just a good enough engine to support the 10s later in life... im not expecting to even break into 11's until 2 or so years - i just really need to make the right engine purchase at the moment.. and i have read that its bad to turbo 347s? true or false? i really need help with the engine decision, as far as the 10s go.. thats my dream to one day have, a turbo stang in the 10s and i know itll cost a small fortune and it'll probably be years and years from now, but i need to get the right start with the right longblock....
Ok. If you have 5-6 grand, and you are looking long term and reliable, you need to consider a Dart or a World block. But, after the purchase of the short block, you won't have much left.
But here's the dealio: Turbo, blower, nitrous . . whatever you use to get going . . speed comes from air flowing through the motor. That means you want to spend real money on (and spend time learning about) your heads, intake, and cam. Having your heads ported and running a custom cam will yield a lot of power. But, it ain't cheap.
If you are looking to do a long term build, spend as much as you can on a quality shortblock with a good forged rotating assembly and worry about the rest later. And, I would go with a 331.
Well i've decided to be a little more open to alternatives, meaning - its gonna be 2+ years before i can turbo her, and i would like to produce decent & reliable power up until then.. so i ask.. should i just modify the stock block, buy a new engine (longblock... if so... what kind and where from?), or etc... my biggest problem is if i get a short block... theres no 1 around here who could install it... and i cannot, if i get a long block, it has to be cheap enough so i can buy the injectors, pumps, intake, throttle body, etc... to support it...- i can always mod the hell out of the engine in it now, jus didnt think it'd be too reliable or last that long... what do ya think? the longblocks (all of them) ive looked at leave me with nothing after to buy injectors or even a new mass air sensor.... help out.. please
I think you need to be a little more realistic as to what you can do/get with the money you have. DSS has a 331 long block that seems to be a good deal but yes your right it wont leave you with any cash afterward. So either save more money before jumping in or you can carefuly pick great parts for your current motor keeping in mind that they are going to go on a different block later on. Its an option.
I think I would start modding your current motor, assuming it's not burning oil or, otherwise, showing signs of failure. Just be sure that the mods you do will adapt to your future plan.
I started out modding my stock motor (blower came first) but everything I did was either usable for future motors, or very saleable.
Lots of guys are goin pretty fast on stock motors. But, be ready to shell out the big bucks in the future when you want real speed.
Costly Engine Purchase, help plz. 
