Ive got an 88gt w/ edelbrock performer heads/ manifold. E cam, full exhaust,1.6 rr, 155lph, 24lbrs, 75mm, pulleys, k&n, timing at 12.
I need more power..this combo barely keeps up with 93+ Camaros, and gets toasted by SS. ThAt Sucks!!

What can I do?? No NOS or Blower.

Anybody see big results with a porting? Is this NA engine maxxed out. Do i need to dig into the short block (its a new 302).

At the track 14.3 @ 103. only 246 Hp on BBK dyno.
What are your Times??

There has to be a problem in your set up, somethings not right. Does it run ok? I'm asking because MM&FF magazine have their 95 GT project car, they installed the Performer Package which has performer heads, performer intake, 70mm throttle body, and I beleive one of Edelbrocks cams. On top of that, the car has 24 lb. injectors, Pro-M meter, headers, and a cat-back exhuast. When they dyno'd the car, it made around 260 HP at the wheels, now thats through an automatic, and the 95 5.0 has less power than an 88 GT stock, and I beleive they have slightly higher compression.

What gears are you running? If you still have the 2.73's, then you are taking longer to get to your power range ,which is now higher in the RPM curve due to your mods.
The gears will not help your dyno numbers however. Check your roller rocker adjustments to ensure they are not overtightened and causing a loss in cylinder pressure.
Also, consider converting to mass air if you haven't already. The speed density system on the '88's do not have the capacity to increase airflow for the mods you have.

Ive got a pro-m 75 meter calibrated for 24lbrs. 3.55 gears and a new trak-lok. The car runs fine. The vacuum seems low (12 @ 800rpm). Ive rechecked the roller rockers twice the after adjustment the pushrods spin freely and the valvetrain is quiet.

The engine shakes more than stock but i thought that was normal. Ive got new motor mounts too.

I think i may havge a vacuum leak...but i cant find it.
Any ideas???

Thanks

You have about the same set-up Jesse and I put in his 85 (converted to 88 GT).

His runs like a raped ape! can't keep the tires from smokin.

You say after valve adjustment you can spin the push rods freely. You should not be able to. As you adjust the valves you should spin the push rods till there is a slight drag on them. Then be able to tighten the bolt 1/2-3/4 turn more before it becomes tight. You may not be getting full lift from the cam. You might need put a different shim under the pedestal (Thats if you used bolt down rockers) or a longer push rod.

You have roller rockers. Did you check for proper position of the roller on the valve stem? The rollers should be slightly off center towards the exhaust at full closed, move to center @50% lift and be sightly off center toward intake at full lift. Check for bind of the rockers on the spring retainers.

Tony B.

One more thing, TRACTION!

Are you getting any? Most Mustangs, unless modified, do not.

Plus those Camaros ( sorry! said the "C" word) have better traction and have larger engines.


Tony B.

just to agree with everyone else. gears(3.27, 3.55, 3.73), mass air(VERY IMPORTANT) also, a hot ignition would help out. i'm running jacob's. a spray couldn't hurt either?

What shim? I just bolted down the rockers as instructed. I'll have to follow your directions too see if i properly installed them. I didnt check there position on the valve stem. If the RR are too loose wouldnt they clack. I'll have to check this out again. Thanks.

I have no traction. Stock other than eibachs and KYB's.

What did your converted 85 dyno at, and what times are you runnin.

Do i really need an ignition upgrade...MSD, Crane??

just to let you know that when i put jacobs ignition on my mustang, it ran soooo much more cleaner and responded to acceleration much better. i also got better mileage on the highway. but it is pricy, so i'd look around to find the best bang for your buck. alot of times igniton is overlooked when adding performance.

We have not dyno'd yet, but Edelbrock claims that they dyno'd around 320hp, thats about 280-290 at the wheels

Tony B.

I had good luck porting the heads on my car. They were the old GT-40 iron heads ported by Ron Anderson. These heads with a Cobra intake and full exhaust with no cats got my 90LX running 12.62 @ 110 with 3.55 gears. 60' time on this run was a 1.95 so it didn't take off very well. With 4.10 gears and slicks this combination on a similar car was good for 11.80's @ 113. Bottom line....port the heads if you can afford it.

Something sure as hell isn't right with your car!

With your heads/cam combo you should be looking at at least mid 13s. Something doesn't add up here.

First, I agree with 347pony with regards to ign, I put MSD 6al on and had to lean out 2 jet sizes and pull back total timing from 37 to 34 degrees. That picked it up about a tenth.

Second, Smokinstorm, what rpm are you shifting at/going thru the lights at. Do you have a stock(HO) bottom end?

Third, What is the general concenses on max rpm for a stock 302 bottom end? I am wondering HO and regular 302, pan never been off,stock rod bolts etc. I blew up my "good" 302 (387hp on dyno) and this year I'm short on funds so I'm dropping in a stock 302 just to keep playing. I have 4.86 gears and 29.5-9 M/T's right now in the 9" and I have a set of 3.50's I could drop in if needed. Any input/opinions are welcome, and if I blow this up too, I'll say you guessed too high!
Jamchan, What do you mean full exhaust? Factory? If so get EQUAL length headers with a H or X-pipe,2 1/2" system, and good flowing mufflers. Exh dumps for the track would be a good idea too.

Couple questions...

1) Is this car an auto or manual?

2) Are you still running the stock throttle body?

3) Why is your timing at 12 degrees with aluminum heads? You've probably got 15 horsepower right there in your timing. Try setting it at 15 - 16 degrees.

4) Also, what, if any, suspension mods do you have?

You've got the mph to run 13.20's or better. It might be time to work on the driver.

[fvpnt0pony92]

i think maybe you just need a good dyno tune. or at least buy an air/fuel ratio meter and tune it yourself.


yes, youll definately gain more power with a porting of the intake and heads, but id get a bigger cam also. porting the heads and intake will move the powerband upward though.


to goinbroke2, im not sure about the max rpm for the bottom end but if you have stock lifters then you cant rev much past 6100 rpm because they are too heavy. i wouldnt try to rev it past 5500 much. i figure anything past that(on a fairly consistent basis) and you should plan on getting a new crank, rods, etc. but i dont know for sure.