5.0 upgrade

[Deuce03]

I am looking to upgrade my 1989 gt. I bought the car with alot of goodies. I am looking to upgrade the car a little further. Was also wondering with the list of my current mods if anyone could speculate on the horsepower. I would like to change the intakes and possibly get into the engine this winter. Any suggestions on the best combinations would be great. Also wondering if I need to fool with the computer. I want a nice driveable street machine that will run on pump gas.

Thanks in advance for any input. :)


BBK Longtube Headers
BBK Offroad X pipe
BBK Cold air intake
BBK 70mm throttle body/EGR spacer
Flowmaster cat back
T5 tranny
Pro 5 short throw
MSD 6A ignition box
Flex Lite electric fan
UPR underdrive pulleys
UPR subframe connectors (welded)
Centerforce clutch
3:73's

[Killercanary]

That car would probably lay down something in the 220rwhp range. How much power do you want to make? How much money do you want to spend? Do you want to stay NA or add a power adder?

[wick]

Like Paul said. Cost is a big factor. A blower would be a good choice. Depending on budget of corse. It would be very streetable too. Turbo would net a ton of underhood heat but would also be a good choice. Then there is N/A. The choice is up to you. Personally, I like blowers.

[wick]

Oh, yeah, that T-5 is gonna have to go too. Get a Tremec. A stock motor will destroy a T-5 in no time. A modded motor, not a chance of survival!!!

[Killercanary]

Oh, yeah, that T-5 is gonna have to go too. Get a Tremec. A stock motor will destroy a T-5 in no time. A modded motor, not a chance of survival!!!

To add to that I bent three main shafts in my T5 before I switched to a TKO. SInce switching I haven't broken a thing in the trans... I have bent axles though. :)

[wick]

To add to that I bent three main shafts in my T5 before I switched to a TKO. SInce switching I haven't broken a thing in the trans... I have bent axles though. :)

I have been replacing a lot of cluster's and inputs lately due to over powering. They are a good smooth trans just not strong. Too much case flex.

[Killercanary]

I have been replacing a lot of cluster's and inputs lately due to over powering. They are a good smooth trans just not strong. Too much case flex.

The case is the reason I've always been skeptical of the G-force stuff, although I know members like GMKILLR have had success with it.

[gmkillr]

The case is the reason I've always been skeptical of the G-force stuff, although I know members like GMKILLR have had success with it.

I be havin the G-force ribbed case!

[wick]

The case is the reason I've always been skeptical of the G-force stuff, although I know members like GMKILLR have had success with it.

Likewise. Rob has been doing ok with his though. Nothing like a Tremec case though. For the people that have not seen one, you wont believe it.

[Deuce03]

Guys just to update the post. I would like to get to the 350hp range. What do you guys think is the best intake to run. I've been looking at the Edelbrock performer.

[Killercanary]

The performer is still one of my favorite street intakes. I ran one on my old 302 combo and that combo made 304rwhp/331rwtq and propelled my heavy 95 'vert to a 12.03 at 112.5mph with an FTI cam and AFR 165 heads. Its a great intake, even with the stock heads and cam I was running 13.8 at 98.5mph with it in my then >3700lb convertible. However, it is more of an entry level style of intake that is suited for a daily driver type of combo which mine was.

The holley systemax is the best long runner intake IMO for a hot 302 setup. This intake will require high flowing heads, and a cam with an RPM range that can take advantage of the flow offered by it. My dad makes 347rwhp with a ported holley intake on his NA 302 combo. His is more strip oriented but its a stellar performer.

Do you want 350 flywheel HP or 350rwhp? To get 350 to the tire NA and be on the very streetable side a stroker may be needed.

[Deuce03]

around 350 at the flywheel is fine, I don't want to go to radical. besides the intake what else do you think I will need to invest in to get to the 350 mark. I will have about 2k to play with in the fall and am trying to plan ahead.

thanks:)

[Killercanary]

You will need a god set of heads, a cam, an intake, stud mount roler rockers, minimum of 24lb injectors, calibrated MAF or a custom tune where the MAF transfer function is altered within the EEC, 70mm TB and matching EGR spacer if emissions is an issue, a 190lph fuel pump, a timing chain, new head bolts, and lastly newgaskets for the intake/TB/head/header/t-stat/water pump/timing cover gaskets. Your budget won't get you all of this obviously but if you search around and get some of the parts used it can help you get there much faster.

My personal recommendation on a combo would be to go with a set of AFR 165 58cc stud mount heads (never buy a pedestal mount head unless you are picking up a used set of GT40/Gt40P heads), the edelbrock performer intake, a cam from Ed Curtis at http://www.flowtechinduction.com, 70mm TB, 24lb injectors, and the 190lph pump. This combo on a fox will be extremely friendly on the street, and run like an animal at the track. This combo will normally make >310rwhp in a fox.


I'm not a huge trickflow fan, but their all-in-one kit is a great bang for the buck from summit and others too. It comes with darn near everything you need. I know my engine builder can also get it and I think he can get it for a little better price than you can buy it through summit at. You might want to contact Rick at http://www.rnhperformance.com to see if he can still get it and what the cost to you would be. Whatever you do, never get the kit with the "street heat" intake as that is one ill-performing intake. Get the track heat intake at the minimum.

[wick]

As paul said, heads are a major contributer. Everybody has their preferance. I like Trick Flow heads. You can toss them on and not really need to worry about piston clearance with a 2.02 intake valve. I really dont know much about the AFR's so I cant comment on those. Generally, you can grab a decent set of used heads for a good buck. The SysteMAX intake is second to none. It performed well with my stock heads last summer and extremely well now with my Trick Flow heads now. Be carefull with cam selection. A lot of people are gonna say to get a custom cam. Personally, for the cost, an OTS cam will be fine unless you are looking for dead nuts accuracy. I run the TFS 1 cam. It has decent street manners and good performing when ripping on it. The idle is choppy but with a good tune, you can drive it almost like a stock 5.0 car. Throttle body and meter are also a must. the stock 19lb injectors will supposedly support 300 hp but you will be really pushing it. Go with a minimal 24lb. When building this engine, pay close attention to pushrod length. We will cross that path when you get there. Just be certain to set aside about 500-600 for a custom tune. You will need it!!

[gmkillr]

The SysteMAX intake is second to none.

This all depends on the application...........

For a N/A, low rpm application this is an extremely nice intake....:)

A nice set of TFS Twisted Wedges or AFR 165's

A Holley or Track Heat Intake

A AFM cam or a Comp cam at the very minimum........

24 or 30lb. injectors

pro-m or sct maf

longtube headers

offroad h or x pipe

These mods will easily net you your goal....

[scott5]

This all depends on the application...........

For a N/A, low rpm application this is an extremely nice intake....:)

A nice set of TFS Twisted Wedges or AFR 165's

A Holley or Track Heat Intake

A AFM cam or a Comp cam at the very minimum........

24 or 30lb. injectors

pro-m or sct maf

longtube headers

offroad h or x pipe

These mods will easily net you your goal....

x2.... And def listen to these robs and paul they def know there stuff

[Pure Stock]

I am looking to upgrade my 1989 gt. I bought the car with alot of goodies. I am looking to upgrade the car a little further. Was also wondering with the list of my current mods if anyone could speculate on the horsepower. I would like to change the intakes and possibly get into the engine this winter. Any suggestions on the best combinations would be great. Also wondering if I need to fool with the computer. I want a nice driveable street machine that will run on pump gas.

Thanks in advance for any input. :)


BBK Longtube Headers
BBK Offroad X pipe
BBK Cold air intake
BBK 70mm throttle body/EGR spacer
Flowmaster cat back
T5 tranny
Pro 5 short throw
MSD 6A ignition box
Flex Lite electric fan
UPR underdrive pulleys
UPR subframe connectors (welded)
Centerforce clutch
3:73's

Ok, first, looking over the list of mods you stated your car has to this point, I see a little mis-match. The 70mm T.B. may be degrading the torque ouput some. MM&FF conducted a t.b. test on a near stock 5.0L and concluded that a 60mm - 65mm t.b. generated the greatest torque production in the test parameters. The 70mm and 75mm t.b. caused a loss of torque. You made the statement that you wanted a "nice driveable street machine", so that's what I see in the current combo.

Secondly, there are a myriad of combinations when talking about H/C/I's. The choices begin with ported iron E7tE's, GT40, and GT40P's that can cost a few hundred dollars. With a matching cam and intake, along with well chosen peripherals, rwhp numbers in the 275-285 are not too uncommon. Stepping up in the $$$$ category, enter aluminum heads. With offerings from AFR, TFS, Edelbrock, Canfield, and others, the potential to make more power arises. The two most common choices for the stock short block being the AFR and TFS cylinder heads. These choices have the potential to make over 300 rwhp when set-up correctly.

Cam choices: Again, many choices out there. Custom/off-the-shelf, rpm range, driveability, low-mid speed torque production, cost, and a few other considerations help to narrow down the choices available.

Intakes: From the classic longrunner choices e.g., GT40/cobra intake, to the TFS intakes, the holley systemax, to carbed intakes converted to efi units, the choices are plentiful.

Peripherals: e.g., maf's, t.b.'s, injectors, header primary diameter/length, header collector size/configuration, exhaust diameter, and a bevy of other considerations make the difference between meeting one's goals and falling shy.

In conclusion, with the advent of the internet, it is quite easy to look at what has worked for someone else and copy it. The tried and true combinations that are centered around retaining the stock short block and making x amount of power are available on the mutitude of forums out there. Happy hunting and good luck!