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Topic: Mid/low 13sec 5.0 project (new video and pics 7/11) (Read 132206 times) previous topic - next topic

Mid/low 13sec 5.0 project (new video and pics 7/11)

***PROJECT TO DO LIST***

Buy stock 5.0 engine - done
Disassemble engine - done
Send short block to machine shop for refresh - done
Begin gathering parts - done
Final assembly - done
Engine Swap - DONE

Parts list:
Explorer intake - check
65mm TB - check
Stock HO cam - check
19lb Injectors - check
GT40Y Aluminum heads - check
1.7 roller rockers - check
Fuel pump - check
Fuel pressure regulator - check


***T5 swap list***
T5 tranny - check
Bellhousing/fork - check
Clutch - check
Flywheel - check
Pedals - check
Adjustable cable - check
Aluminum quadrant - check
Shifter console piece/boot - check
Dust shield - check

Hey guys, it's been a while since I've posted any real updates on my Tbird.  Last Thursday, I got 3.27 ratio gears installed and they have made a world of a difference.  A lot of people overlook 3.27s in favor of 3.55s or 3.73s, when they're really not needed for a regularly driven car.  The 3.27s do the job perfectly, making the car far more responsive and it really gets off the line quickly.  It spins at 2000rpm at highway speed, which is about as high as I'd like to go for a DD.  I'm planning to get a shift kit and speedo gear soon, but nothing else major till the summer.

Here are some new pics of the car:


Shiny cleaned interior


My friend being a smartass



After lots of thinking, I've decided to go with a budget 351W build, starting this summer.  I'd like to start off with a cheap block (I've seen em on ebay for $400 including shipping) and just work my way through it piece by piece over the next 12-18 months.  I'm looking for 350-400hp at the flywheel, and I plan to hook up a WC T5 to it.  From the little research I've done, it looks like I'll be much better off going with a carb setup.  I'd like to keep this build as cheap as possible (without getting unreliable parts).  Any recommendations or comments are welcome.

Mid/low 13sec 5.0 project (new video and pics 7/11)

Reply #1
Looking good :D . I think you need a 21 tooth purple auto trans gear for your speedo. Your local Ford dealer should have one. It costs ~$10 (that's what I paid for mine about 5 years ago).


Oh and how do you get your sunglasses to stay in that little cubby spot in the dash? Mine always fly out when I jab the throttle ;)
88 Thunderbird LX: 306, Edelbrock Performer heads, Comp 266HR cam, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, bunch of other stuff.

Mid/low 13sec 5.0 project (new video and pics 7/11)

Reply #2
Haha a lot of times, the sun glasses will be hanging out, but somehow stay in there.  I'm wearing them most of the time though...or they just go flying somewhere.

Mid/low 13sec 5.0 project (new video and pics 7/11)

Reply #3
sweet. still one of my favorite cars here. i personally would rather see you go with a used blower or a decent heads, cam intake etc. combo.
a 351W would be sweet BUT im sort of anti carb. not a fan at all. id keep it f.i. id probably actually build a 331 instead. find a cheap powerdyne or used vortech, paxton or ati and throwit on there. it would keep the powerband up higher where i think it should be on a street car.
 
id also probably get a rebuild kit from g force and rebuild a T5 with that instead of a new stock one. that or a T56.
 
either way, good luck dude. keep it up.
:america: 1988 Thunderbird Sport, Former 4.6 DOHC T56 conversion project.

Rest of the country, Welcome to Massachusettes. Enjoy your stay.

 
Halfbreed... Mango Orange Y2K Mustang GT
FRPP complete 2000 Cobra engine swap, T56 n' junk...
~John~

Mid/low 13sec 5.0 project (new video and pics 7/11)

Reply #4
Not to change the topic, but your interior looks really nice.  I'm liking those door panels.  simple, maybe even better than my TC panels.    I also like the more sturdy/built in map pockets...  probably won't fall off like all the TC ones!

hmm...  I wonder if I should pic some of those up.....?
1988 Thunderbird Turbo Coupe
'89 5.0 w/ ported intakes, Mallory Adjustable FPR, BBK shorties and H with 2.5" Flows, 130 amp 3G, 89 Mustang comp/wiring, Aluminum radiator w/ elec fan, T5 trans, King Cobra clutch, 3.55 gears, 13" Cobra brakes (front), Wilwood prop valve, Mustang A-arms, Front Coil-overs, MM CC plates, Silver 17x9 R's, 03 Cobra IRS, Aluminum DS, 2002 Mustang dash/console etc..., custom leather seats

Mid/low 13sec 5.0 project (new video and pics 7/11)

Reply #5
Thanks for the compliments.  I always try to keep the interior armor all'd and clean, but it hadn't been really vacuumed out in a while.  It's definitely what I consider to be one of the best attributes of my car.  The previous owner took great care of it and I plan to keep it that way.

@shame302:  If I can do what you said for the same price or cheaper, and get about the same performance, I'm all for it!  I'm still researching my options at the moment, so things can change.

Here's an interior shot from the other side:


Mid/low 13sec 5.0 project (new video and pics 7/11)

Reply #6
im with shame on keeping the 302 block. you need to remember that a lot of your 302 parts wont work on the 351w. headers, oilpan, intake, distributor, etc.
1979 Ford Fairmont
[/B]
5.0L/4R70W/8.8"/5-lug/3" Exhuast


Mid/low 13sec 5.0 project (new video and pics 7/11)

Reply #7
Yeah, I'm not planning to use anything from my current engine (it will be going in another project at a later time).  This is a fresh build.  If it's cheap and easy to take a stock 302 block and get that same performance out of it for the same price or less, I'll definitely look into it.

Mid/low 13sec 5.0 project (new video and pics 7/11)

Reply #8
Quote from: kingcars;202550
Haha a lot of times, the sun glasses will be hanging out, but somehow stay in there.  I'm wearing them most of the time though...or they just go flying somewhere.


I'm not the only one :hick:
88 Thunderbird LX: 306, Edelbrock Performer heads, Comp 266HR cam, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, bunch of other stuff.

Mid/low 13sec 5.0 project (new video and pics 7/11)

Reply #9
I wouldn't even consider the bigger Windsor block uness it was punched to 393 cubes or better....The TFS H/C/I combo is right at the lower end of your HP needs....

If I were to do it again I'd have ported the heads and done up a custom cam and got even more out of it...
-- 05 Mustang GT-Whipplecharged !!
--87 5.0 Trick Flow Heads & Intake - Custom Cam - Many other goodies...3100Lbs...Low12's!

Mid/low 13sec 5.0 project (new video and pics 7/11)

Reply #10
Yeah my original idea of a 331 is looking like a very viable option as well.

Mid/low 13sec 5.0 project (new video and pics 7/11)

Reply #11
you really don't need to spend money on a 331. My last combo on a stock 302 block was very fun and made lots of power. Edelbrock heads/cobra intake/ trickflow cam. I think its similar to toms turbocoupe except he uses trickflow heads (which runs low 12's)

My point is if spending all that extra $$ on a stroker kit is worth it to you than do it. I think the stroker is nice and will make more power, but it doesn't go along with a budget build in my opinion. A budget build would be a fresh 302, used edelbrock or trickflow heads, stock ho cam or trickflow, and used cobra intake with 65mmtb and 24#injectors.

Also I read on your thread on the corral that your looking to build a 13 second street car. I got news for you, you already have a near 13 second car. I ran 14.20's in my tbird with a HO, AOD, 373's, pulleys, and header + hpipe on street tires.

an edelbrock/trickflow/afr head combo would get you in the 12's on 302 block any day of the week with more rear and better tires. You could buy a set of AFR 165's with the money that would be spent on a stroker kit right?
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]


Mid/low 13sec 5.0 project (new video and pics 7/11)

Reply #12
Thats sounds great, thanks a lot.  I'm workin on a lead for a complete 5.0 HO from an 88 GT for $375, which would be a perfect starting point, and I'd have parts I could sell.  I'll have to work out some parts lists and see how the prices stack up.

Mid/low 13sec 5.0 project (new video and pics 7/11)

Reply #13
if you plan on keeping your current motor, then id say put a 351 together then.

if i ever get another fox chassis, it will have a 351w.
1979 Ford Fairmont
[/B]
5.0L/4R70W/8.8"/5-lug/3" Exhuast


Mid/low 13sec 5.0 project (new video and pics 7/11)

Reply #14
Ok well here's a (very rough) parts list for a 302 build (not including the bottom end):

Camshaft:
Trick Flow Track Max Hydraulic Roller Camshaft - $164
http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=TFS%2D51402001&autoview=sku

Heads:
Ford Racing M-6049-X303 $550 Each
http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=FMS%2DM%2D6049%2DX303&N=700+4294867081+4294867028+4294908331+4294840126+115&autoview=sku

Intake:
Ford Racing Cobra Intake
http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=FMS%2DM%2D9424%2DZ51&N=700+4294908331+4294840126+4294889096+4294925239+4294839079+400070+115&autoview=sku

Fuel Injectors:
Ford Racing 24#
http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=FMS%2DM%2D9593%2DA302&N=700+4294908331+4294840126+4294889096+4294925239+4294870762+115&autoview=sku

Rocker Arms:
Comp Cams full roller 1.7 ratio
http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=CCA%2D1450%2D16&autoview=sku

Throttle body:
Summit 65mm
http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=SUM%2D227203&N=700+4294908331+4294840126+4294889096+4294925239+4294859865+115&autoview=sku

Total ~$2200

This list is obviously assuming that I'll buy everything new (which I won't) so there is A LOT of room here for savings.  It is also just a quickie parts list I did in about 15 minutes to give myself a general idea of prices.  I have no idea how to look at cam specs and head specs and figure out good combos, so keep that in mind.  This is mostly a pricing list.  I noticed aluminum heads aren't much more expensive than cast iron ones, so I'm definitely going to stick with those.  I will use the lifters and pushrods and bottom end from a stock Mustang HO engine.