new guy needs help..

fast_pony · 05-10-2006, 07:25 AM

I am new to this board but I have been lurking awhile. I am also new to the 5.0 scene. I have been a bowtie guy all my life, but now I want something different. I started searching for a car to build a big HP street car and bought 2 Mustangs. One is an 88 4 cylinder, the other is a 92 4 cylinder. Both are 5 speeds. The 92 has the best body, so I want to build it and use the 88 for parts. I haven't built a hotrod for about 25 years so I am gonna need lots of advise. My question for now is, which would be a better engine setup, I am wanting a minimum 450 horses. Carb or Fuel injected? I was thinking possibly a 331 with a larger carb and nitrous. Any ideas for me to throw around will be appreciated. The reason I am starting with 2 Mustangs is, I got them for 700.00 and the guy wouldn't split them. I am in Edmonton Alberta Canada by the way.

tmoss · 05-10-2006, 07:31 AM

I'd buy a 392 crate engine or a 408 stroker and go carb for that kind of power and have a reliable N/A engine. Sell the 88, I don't see what parts you'll need off it.

Dark Knight · 05-10-2006, 01:11 PM

Ditto, 450HP N/A wont be easy with a 331. If you don't have an engine, go with a stroked 351.
Driveability will be better with FI, but a carb will be alot cheaper. I'd upgrade the brakes and rearend from what the 4cyl cars came with too.

fast_pony · 05-10-2006, 06:37 PM

I was thinking maybe a bigger engine like a 377, but was wondering how hard it would be to shoehorn it into the engine bay..I have seen pics of them and it looks like the headers are right up against the sides..also what kind of suspension would I need up front with the heavier engine. I have nothing yet so I can do just about anything to it, engine wise.

tmoss · 05-10-2006, 09:18 PM

It's not that big a deal. Yes, you have tu use the right monts, headers, maybe work over the steering shaft, etc but guys do it all the time. If your going 351 based engine, go as big as you can. There is NO substitution for cubic inches. It will be more reliable too as you won't have to turn much rpm to make power.

fast_pony · 05-10-2006, 09:25 PM

thanks for the advice guys....this is a great place for info and I appreciate it..I am sure I'll be asking for a lot more advice in the future..

rwhite65 · 05-10-2006, 11:56 PM

These guys are dead on here. If you don’t have an engine already, stroke a 351 out. I have been wrenching on a 91 body with a 351 for some time now, and the 351 fits in the car very nicely. The car even still has power steering and air conditioning.

Good luck.
Ryan

fast_pony · 05-11-2006, 07:48 PM

well, I made up my mind...408 stroker....I don't wanna just eat the ricers...I wanna spit them out my tailpipe too....

Dark Knight · 05-12-2006, 08:39 AM

Good luck.. there are some pretty quick ones around here, from 11 sec neons to a couple 8 and 9 second supras... you should be 99% of 'em though..

05-10-2006, 07:25 AM	#1
fast_pony Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 21	new guy needs help.. I am new to this board but I have been lurking awhile. I am also new to the 5.0 scene. I have been a bowtie guy all my life, but now I want something different. I started searching for a car to build a big HP street car and bought 2 Mustangs. One is an 88 4 cylinder, the other is a 92 4 cylinder. Both are 5 speeds. The 92 has the best body, so I want to build it and use the 88 for parts. I haven't built a hotrod for about 25 years so I am gonna need lots of advise. My question for now is, which would be a better engine setup, I am wanting a minimum 450 horses. Carb or Fuel injected? I was thinking possibly a 331 with a larger carb and nitrous. Any ideas for me to throw around will be appreciated. The reason I am starting with 2 Mustangs is, I got them for 700.00 and the guy wouldn't split them. I am in Edmonton Alberta Canada by the way.

05-10-2006, 07:31 AM	#2
tmoss Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Saint Louis, MO Posts: 634	Re: new guy needs help.. I'd buy a 392 crate engine or a 408 stroker and go carb for that kind of power and have a reliable N/A engine. Sell the 88, I don't see what parts you'll need off it. __________________ Tom (Torque) Moss 88Gt 5spd Vert, FLowmaster Catbacks, stock cam advanced 4° @ 108.5° ICL, NMRA prepped GT40P heads 1.85/1.55 valves and 1.7 rockers, MAC P headers Jet-Hot coated, 97 Exlporer intake (ported lower), TB and injectors. 277RWHP/330RWTQ (SAE). http://www.fastlanecars.com/

05-10-2006, 01:11 PM	#3
Dark Knight Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1998 Location: Az Posts: 854	Re: new guy needs help.. Ditto, 450HP N/A wont be easy with a 331. If you don't have an engine, go with a stroked 351. Driveability will be better with FI, but a carb will be alot cheaper. I'd upgrade the brakes and rearend from what the 4cyl cars came with too. __________________ 84 convt,roller 302,AFR's, performer 3.55's, underdrives BBK shorties stock cam, 1.7's 13.58@102.84 and a '68 stang .. project 8 sec street car... 557 big block + N20 :-) http://members.cox.net/darkknight302/68nwrear.jpg

05-10-2006, 06:37 PM	#4
fast_pony Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 21	Re: new guy needs help.. I was thinking maybe a bigger engine like a 377, but was wondering how hard it would be to shoehorn it into the engine bay..I have seen pics of them and it looks like the headers are right up against the sides..also what kind of suspension would I need up front with the heavier engine. I have nothing yet so I can do just about anything to it, engine wise.

05-10-2006, 09:18 PM	#5
tmoss Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Saint Louis, MO Posts: 634	Re: new guy needs help.. It's not that big a deal. Yes, you have tu use the right monts, headers, maybe work over the steering shaft, etc but guys do it all the time. If your going 351 based engine, go as big as you can. There is NO substitution for cubic inches. It will be more reliable too as you won't have to turn much rpm to make power. __________________ Tom (Torque) Moss 88Gt 5spd Vert, FLowmaster Catbacks, stock cam advanced 4° @ 108.5° ICL, NMRA prepped GT40P heads 1.85/1.55 valves and 1.7 rockers, MAC P headers Jet-Hot coated, 97 Exlporer intake (ported lower), TB and injectors. 277RWHP/330RWTQ (SAE). http://www.fastlanecars.com/

05-10-2006, 09:25 PM	#6
fast_pony Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 21	Re: new guy needs help.. thanks for the advice guys....this is a great place for info and I appreciate it..I am sure I'll be asking for a lot more advice in the future..

05-10-2006, 11:56 PM	#7
rwhite65 Ride Hard Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Wyoming IL Posts: 1,094	Re: new guy needs help.. These guys are dead on here. If you don’t have an engine already, stroke a 351 out. I have been wrenching on a 91 body with a 351 for some time now, and the 351 fits in the car very nicely. The car even still has power steering and air conditioning. Good luck. Ryan __________________ 65 Fastback 91 roller 306, H/C/I AOD-Bauman, PI Stallion, 4.10's and traction loc 04 Grand Cherokee Freedom Edition 79 Ford F-250 4x4 - Restored

05-11-2006, 07:48 PM	#8
fast_pony Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 21	Re: new guy needs help.. well, I made up my mind...408 stroker....I don't wanna just eat the ricers...I wanna spit them out my tailpipe too....

05-12-2006, 08:39 AM	#9
Dark Knight Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1998 Location: Az Posts: 854	Re: new guy needs help.. Good luck.. there are some pretty quick ones around here, from 11 sec neons to a couple 8 and 9 second supras... you should be 99% of 'em though.. __________________ 84 convt,roller 302,AFR's, performer 3.55's, underdrives BBK shorties stock cam, 1.7's 13.58@102.84 and a '68 stang .. project 8 sec street car... 557 big block + N20 :-) http://members.cox.net/darkknight302/68nwrear.jpg