top end vs. low end and how to achieve

vetteeatr · 10-01-2001, 12:44 PM

I have a 88 mustang GT and the thing just spi s the tires like crazy. I see on alot of race cars they try to get more power at higher RPM's i believe. This is the exact opposite of what i am doing. I kinda wanted a sleeper without massive tires. Is it wiser to build top end or low end? How do i accomplish this? will I be able to drive well on the street still or will it have problems? I think one of my problems is the addition of 351 windsor senior heads. Thanks for all teh help and please list parts if possible.

FoxBuilder · 10-01-2001, 02:14 PM

What is your cars chassis and gear setup?
What size tire are you running?
What is done to the motor and computer system over stock?

It's no secret that high horsepower needs high RPM. If there doing it right? Most racers will run high RPM motors and gear the car low.

------------------
For the performance fanatic
Visit my web page at:
www.geocities.com/getradicalmotors/

[This message has been edited by FoxBuilder (edited 10-01-2001).]

84LX89GT · 10-02-2001, 12:53 AM

Foxbuilder is correct.
If you decide to build a torquey engine, here are some options:
A stroker kit for your 302 (317,331,347,etc.)
A stroked 351W (393,420,427)
A roots type/twin screw supercharger like a Kenne Bell will make a lot of lowend torque, but basically even a centrifugal supercharger will give you tons of torque.
Good heads are a must as well because the stock heads aren't very good for anything above stock.
Getting traction should also be a top priority because power is useless if you don't put it to the ground. Getting sticky tires, compliant suspension, stiffer control arms (tubular w/polyeurethane bushings).
You'll also want to get subframe connectors (weld in, full length) because it will keep your chassis from flexing which will result in more even launches, better handling and feel.
A engine designed for lowend torque will more power in lower rpm's and will be able to cruise at lower rpm's but will have less gears to multiply the torque in a racing situation (if you stay with stock gears), but you'll also have tons of torque whenever you step on the gas.
If you build up a high-rpm 302 it won't suck as much gas (unless you get really steep gears) and you won't have the torque all in one area so you'll actually have a chance at controlling the tires before the powerband kicks in, but on the otherhand if you do decide to gear it high, you'll have the stress of running high RPM's quite a bit.
Either way, your mustang will scream and command attention and spectators to look at your beatiful tail lights. Good luck,
feel free to ask anymore questions.

------------------
Mustang Parts Specialties ripped me off, it could happen to you as well.
'84 Mustang 5.0 LX
my LX
'89 Mustang GT
my GT

vetteeatr · 10-05-2001, 02:49 PM

Well....

the car allready has this.......

subframe connectors, air bag, aluminum driveshaft, hurst shifter, 36 ibs injectors(overkill huh)?, windsor senior heads 202 and 160. stock cam, 10.1 flat top pistons, stock intake wiht stock throttle body(I just sold my old intake and throttle body and plan to get a new one any siggestions?) march pulleys, as far as i know no computer mods, and jsut some crap like a shift light and other junk. oh yeah and harland sharpe rockers and MSD ignition

the thing is i cant get traction so im planning on getting ET street slicks...

also shoudl the pushrod height be diffrent??? since they are 351 heads? If not all questions were answers please ask again.

vetteeatr · 10-05-2001, 02:51 PM

oh yeah 3.73 gears

MiracleMax · 10-06-2001, 08:54 PM

So you really need some suspension?

84LX89GT · 10-07-2001, 06:31 PM

It does sound like you need traction, if you got some drag springs, a thicker rear sway bar and a light weight front (or no front sway bar on the track) as well as some drag shocks/struts, and drag tires your car should STICK.
A great example is Skyman who has a Saleen on this site. If you can find him, message him and ask him how he likes his suspension now.
I believe that you can buy some drag oriented tires that will fit on your stock rims (i want a sleeper like you as well!).
Those 30lb/hr injectors do sound like overkill, but i think the computer would detect the extra flow and shorten the injector pulse width, so i don't think that would actually make it slower.
I have the same problem as you, actually because especially with the 3.55's my car will spin thoroughly up to 45mph if i dont feather the gas or am fortunate to be on a sticky blacktop road. The things i plan on doing in the future so i can launch well is to get tubular upper and lower control arms, bigger rear sway bar, springs/shocks/struts, and maybe find some quad shocks (not sure if mounting points are the same on mustangs and T-birds) that will fit with my '88 turbo coupe rearend or a pinion snubber. Good luck,

------------------
Mustang Parts Specialties ripped me off, it could happen to you as well.
'84 Mustang 5.0 LX
my LX
'89 Mustang GT
my GT

10-01-2001, 12:44 PM	#1
vetteeatr Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Olney, Illinois, USA Posts: 212	top end vs. low end and how to achieve I have a 88 mustang GT and the thing just spi s the tires like crazy. I see on alot of race cars they try to get more power at higher RPM's i believe. This is the exact opposite of what i am doing. I kinda wanted a sleeper without massive tires. Is it wiser to build top end or low end? How do i accomplish this? will I be able to drive well on the street still or will it have problems? I think one of my problems is the addition of 351 windsor senior heads. Thanks for all teh help and please list parts if possible.

10-01-2001, 02:14 PM	#2
FoxBuilder Registered Member Join Date: Sep 1999 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 233	What is your cars chassis and gear setup? What size tire are you running? What is done to the motor and computer system over stock? It's no secret that high horsepower needs high RPM. If there doing it right? Most racers will run high RPM motors and gear the car low. ------------------ For the performance fanatic Visit my web page at: www.geocities.com/getradicalmotors/ [This message has been edited by FoxBuilder (edited 10-01-2001).]

10-02-2001, 12:53 AM	#3
84LX89GT Mustangs Join Date: Jul 2000 Posts: 1,938	Foxbuilder is correct. If you decide to build a torquey engine, here are some options: A stroker kit for your 302 (317,331,347,etc.) A stroked 351W (393,420,427) A roots type/twin screw supercharger like a Kenne Bell will make a lot of lowend torque, but basically even a centrifugal supercharger will give you tons of torque. Good heads are a must as well because the stock heads aren't very good for anything above stock. Getting traction should also be a top priority because power is useless if you don't put it to the ground. Getting sticky tires, compliant suspension, stiffer control arms (tubular w/polyeurethane bushings). You'll also want to get subframe connectors (weld in, full length) because it will keep your chassis from flexing which will result in more even launches, better handling and feel. A engine designed for lowend torque will more power in lower rpm's and will be able to cruise at lower rpm's but will have less gears to multiply the torque in a racing situation (if you stay with stock gears), but you'll also have tons of torque whenever you step on the gas. If you build up a high-rpm 302 it won't suck as much gas (unless you get really steep gears) and you won't have the torque all in one area so you'll actually have a chance at controlling the tires before the powerband kicks in, but on the otherhand if you do decide to gear it high, you'll have the stress of running high RPM's quite a bit. Either way, your mustang will scream and command attention and spectators to look at your beatiful tail lights. Good luck, feel free to ask anymore questions. ------------------ Mustang Parts Specialties ripped me off, it could happen to you as well. '84 Mustang 5.0 LX my LX '89 Mustang GT my GT

10-05-2001, 02:49 PM	#4
vetteeatr Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Olney, Illinois, USA Posts: 212	Well.... the car allready has this....... subframe connectors, air bag, aluminum driveshaft, hurst shifter, 36 ibs injectors(overkill huh)?, windsor senior heads 202 and 160. stock cam, 10.1 flat top pistons, stock intake wiht stock throttle body(I just sold my old intake and throttle body and plan to get a new one any siggestions?) march pulleys, as far as i know no computer mods, and jsut some crap like a shift light and other junk. oh yeah and harland sharpe rockers and MSD ignition the thing is i cant get traction so im planning on getting ET street slicks... also shoudl the pushrod height be diffrent??? since they are 351 heads? If not all questions were answers please ask again.

10-05-2001, 02:51 PM	#5
vetteeatr Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Olney, Illinois, USA Posts: 212	oh yeah 3.73 gears

10-06-2001, 08:54 PM	#6
MiracleMax Registered Member Join Date: Apr 1999 Location: Hayes, Va, USA Posts: 798	So you really need some suspension?

10-07-2001, 06:31 PM	#7
84LX89GT Mustangs Join Date: Jul 2000 Posts: 1,938	It does sound like you need traction, if you got some drag springs, a thicker rear sway bar and a light weight front (or no front sway bar on the track) as well as some drag shocks/struts, and drag tires your car should STICK. A great example is Skyman who has a Saleen on this site. If you can find him, message him and ask him how he likes his suspension now. I believe that you can buy some drag oriented tires that will fit on your stock rims (i want a sleeper like you as well!). Those 30lb/hr injectors do sound like overkill, but i think the computer would detect the extra flow and shorten the injector pulse width, so i don't think that would actually make it slower. I have the same problem as you, actually because especially with the 3.55's my car will spin thoroughly up to 45mph if i dont feather the gas or am fortunate to be on a sticky blacktop road. The things i plan on doing in the future so i can launch well is to get tubular upper and lower control arms, bigger rear sway bar, springs/shocks/struts, and maybe find some quad shocks (not sure if mounting points are the same on mustangs and T-birds) that will fit with my '88 turbo coupe rearend or a pinion snubber. Good luck, ------------------ Mustang Parts Specialties ripped me off, it could happen to you as well. '84 Mustang 5.0 LX my LX '89 Mustang GT my GT