H/C/I combo for a blower car??

[Stang_Crazy]

After saving a few pennies it's finally time for me to buy a H/C/I combo. I think I have it narrowed down...

~TFS heads, TFS intake, TFS #1 cam

~AFR 165, TFS/Performer/Holley intake, FTI cam

~AFR 165, TFS/Performer/Holley intake, stock cam

I'm kind of leaning towards the 3rd combo because I could keep the stock cam in and save a couple bucks... But then again, the 1st combo would probably be close in price. I'm not looking for the best numbers or the fastest times. I want something that will be respectable and reliable. These combo's will be working with a NOVI 1000 @ 10-12 psi, 77mm MAF, 70mm TB, and 36# injectors. This is also on a T5 car.


Advice? Opinions? I'm getting a headache going back and forth on this. I would like to have everything decided pretty soon because I plan on buying at the end of Jan.

[Dave_mustang_50]

Just curious, Why not go with bigger heads? I wish I had dyno numbers from my swap from 1.90 to 2.02 heads.

[NitroNixon]

I personally would pick combo #3 if you drive the car everyday. I'm picking up a set of AFR 165's for my stang from the speedshop here in Maryland when they have the Presidents Day sale.

[Stang_Crazy]

Originally Posted by Dave_mustang_50

Just curious, Why not go with bigger heads? I wish I had dyno numbers from my swap from 1.90 to 2.02 heads.

Because the 165's will be fine and get me into the 11's without much of a problem. I'm not looking for a drag monster or the absolute best numbers. The #'s don't make much of a difference to me...if I get used to the power, I'll up the boost to 15 psi and add methanol injection....but my stock block wouldn't like that.

How do you like the Holley intake? I've been giving more and more thought to the AFR's with the Holley intake. Also, what does your fuel system look like? Are you just running the 42's and a 255lph pump?

[Dave_mustang_50]

The intake is the only thing I have left from my systemax 2 kit. Its been on for about 4 years and have had no problems and it still looks new. as for my fuel system I have two fuel pumps, an in tank(255)and an inline(t rex). Still need to get bigger lines and rails. Is there a big difference between the afr 165`s vs the 185`s price?

[bigred90gt]

I would say the 3rd combo for a daily driver. My only concern with anything you posted is the stock t5. Unless you never get on it, you will grenade that tranny relatively quickly. And lets face it, who builds a blown car and never gets on it?

[tireburner163]

Originally Posted by bigred90gt

I would say the 3rd combo for a daily driver. My only concern with anything you posted is the stock t5. Unless you never get on it, you will grenade that tranny relatively quickly. And lets face it, who builds a blown car and never gets on it?

I dissagree. I've been running my stock t-5 in my notch for more than a year now. I run high 11's. 5500rpm launch.

Drew (FiveOhPatro) has been doing the same thing for years running anywhere from high 12's down to mid 11's now. Don't powershift and they're pretty strong.

[tireburner163]

I say go with a set of AFR 185's, a Holley intake, and a Ed Curtis cam.

[Stang_Crazy]

If the tranny goes, it goes. I only drive my car ~2000 miles a year but I like to get on it every now and then

[StrokedStang]

I would go with your second choice!!!!!

[Stang_Crazy]

I think it's going to be the 165's, a Performer intake (port matched lower), and I'm keeping the stock cam. That combo should do pretty well with 12 psi Plus if I ever get the need for more power, I can always swap the cam then. As soon as I can locate a deal on 165's the process will start! Thanks for the input guys!

[procharge94]

I think what you should be doing more research on is your cam selection. Although the heads make the largest difference in 'bolt on power', you want to have an engine combo that works well together. Once you decide on the heads, which I personally would pick which ever of your choices you can purchase for the best price, you should call around and see what sort of cam you want to run. Since this is a blower car, your cam selection will not neccessarily follow the same path as an N/A car. You want air flow to follow a different path as well in order for the forced induction to be the most effecient. A custom cam will be worth every penny, if you are willing to spend that sort of cash. If not, call the tech lines for some of the 'off the shelf' cam companies and see what they have to say. After all, that is why they have those tech lines.

Since much of this discussion has been on what heads to run, and you suggested TFS and AFR 165's; I would go with TFS. As for intake, within reason, the bigger the better. You will be cramming air down the motor faster than it can use. And since boost is measured in terms of backpressure, you want to reduce as much of this backpressure as possible. Someone correct me if I am wrong, but the Performer should have the largest ports of the three you mentioned as well.

But by all means, if someone disagrees with anything I said or the selections I made, please say something. This is just my opinion and its not my car we are talking about.

[Stang_Crazy]

The stock cam with suffice for a while and the car should still run in the 11's with the stock cam. If/when it comes time to swap the cam, I'm calling FTI and getting a custom grind. IMO, that's the only way to go.

[procharge94]

Since a cam is not an option at this point, what else are you trying to decide on?

[Stang_Crazy]

I think I'm good with everything. The heads and intake were the two big things that I needed some input/advice on. I already know what rockers, MAF, throttle body, injectors, etc. I'm going to use.

[fiveohpatrol]

I vote for TFS heads. You can have them ported down the road and they have more potential than the 165's do.
The Holley intake will work great with them.
Although FTI does great stuff NA, I HIGHLY suggest getting a cam from Larocca's for a blown application.
302man's combo: TEA CNC ported TFS's, holley intake, Larocca cam,YSi, 700+rwhp. Although its a very radical setup compared to what you want to do, it shows you the potential of the heads.

11's will be no problem with any of the combo's you listed. Hell, 10's should be no problem with any of them either, as long as the hook is there.

long live the T5!!!