[lacole725]

Hey everybody, I've decided to take the Mustang leap. I currently do not own a Mustang, my daily driver is a 2004 Ford F150 XLT 5.4L Triton Super Cab. I've decided that when I pay it off, I will sell it and purchase a fox body Mustang. I am currently in the planning phase, trying to figure out what I want to do and how much I will have to spend. I currently drive about 150 miles a week between school and work, but I can drive up to as much as 1200 miles in one week since I sometimes I have to do a lot of driving for work. I also plan to take it to the track maybe once or twice every month. So I would need a set up primarily for street performance as well as a set up that would work well on the strip. I have my heart set on building a twin turbo 427 stroker, but it probably wouldn't be an ideal daily driver however I would like maybe 500-600 horse power at the wheels or enough to be able to run high 10s to middle 11s. A few questions:

1. Stroke or No Stroke? Would it be worth it to stroke out the motor? If I built a 427, I would have to get a hold of basically the whole motor (purchase block, internals, etc.) If I built a, say 331, I would already have the existing 302 block and I would just have to stroke it out.

2. NA or FI? I would really like a FI motor, never had one before. I like the idea of turbochargers in fox body Mustangs so I would rather do that instead of a SC.

3. Single or Twin Turbo? I have been reading a little bit about single vs twin turbo set ups, but I can't really decide which one. A lot of sites will change their opinion halfway through an article about which is better.

4. Transmission: I really want to have an automatic, just easier for my job. I usually have to multi task while I'm driving, even though that is completely dangerous. Shifting would just be one less thing I have to worry about. I'm not really familiar with transmissions, I've only done a few R&Rs at my previous job, so I am not too sure what would help me.

I know I also have to worry about the rear and suspension, but that will be determined after I get my powerplant taken care of. Thank you for all information provided.

[BULLET20XD]

Theres no way in hell i would sell my truck to buy a Fox Mustang!!! KEEP your truck and buy you a Mustang and work on it as money allows. You will have to work on the car, thats a guarantee! Once you get the kinks worked out of it, drive it. They are reliable cars but not worth giving up your truck for.

[93hatch]

na 427 will run faster than you think if its built right. Turboing it would be unnecessary

[Cloud Nine]

I have been told you only need a 302 to run 11s. A 347 will get you into the 10s and 9s if its set up correctly

1. Dart Block stroked out to 427 with rotating assembly - 4000???
Stock block stroked out to 347 with rotating assembly - 1500?

2. I'd rather have a N/A motor running 11s and 10s because it is much harder and I think more respectable, but it will be more expensive

3. I have read that a single turbo is better for high rpms and overall big power. Twins are good for low end power, but can be made to do well up top.

4. Go for a c4. I forget what company it was, but they offer a c4 that holds up to 1000hp

You also will need a fuel system upgrade (maybe around 1000 cheaply done), a suspension upgrade (maybe 1000-2000), a brake upgrade (5 lug conversion plus new rims and tires maybe 1500)

Dude I was planning on building a 408, found out it was gonna cost me over 12 grand for all new parts (I also have to pay shipping to Hawaii which is ridiculous).

Instead I'm deciding of going with a 302 h/c/i and blower, a 347, or a 302 turbo. My goal is also 11s, and 10s later down the road.

I'm not 100 percent sure on this info, but someone else will chime in who knows more than me. lol

[lacole725]

I really hate my truck. Its worthless really, short bed and two wheel drive. I thought about fixing that up, but it needs a lot of work. I don't know why I bought it, guess I got excited about having a 5.4 and just jumped on it. The body is horrendous not to mention somebody hit me last year and drove off. I just want something fun. I'm going to try and buy the actual car before I sell the truck, but most of the build money will come from the sale of the truck.

[93hatch]

347 is more than 1500.... my shortblock and balancer were 1500 used, a GOOD 347 shortblock is 2200ish

[lacole725]

I am not completely set on this set up, I am open to suggestions. I really like the idea of having a car that fast naturally aspirated, it would be cheaper too since I don't have to pay for the turbo system. If I were to get a 427 or some kind of stroked out motor, which heads would be affordably along with providing a lot of power? There is no way in hell I am paying $6500 for a pair of Jon Kaase heads.

[Cloud Nine]

Yeah hatch, I didn't want to over shoot it.

I just meant if he had a 302 block which I think he said he does, all he would need is the rotating assembly, balancer and flywheel.

[93hatch]

still more than 1500

[Cloud Nine]

Originally Posted by lacole725 I am not completely set on this set up, I am open to suggestions. I really like the idea of having a car that fast naturally aspirated, it would be cheaper too since I don't have to pay for the turbo system. If I were to get a 427 or some kind of stroked out motor, which heads would be affordably along with providing a lot of power. There is no way in hell I am paying $6500 for a pair of Jon Kaase heads.

Haha, dude I thought all motor would be cheaper at first too, but it usually isnt.

A turbo would end up being the cheapest route because you can just add more boost.

Good heads with a 427 would be something like trick flow 225s maybe. I think those are 2500 on summit?

[Cloud Nine]

Originally Posted by 93hatch still more than 1500

Really? Wow. I know I priced out mine, it would be well over 2000 even with my stock block, but I thought that is also because shipping is crazy over here.

[lacole725]

Originally Posted by Cloud Nine Haha, dude I thought all motor would be cheaper at first too, but it usually isnt. A turbo would end up being the cheapest route because you can just add more boost. Good heads with a 427 would be something like trick flow 225s maybe. I think those are 2500 on summit?

Well see my view point is when I look at parts that are divided in stages, like turbos, I automatically go to the highest stage which is usually the most expensive. A stage 3 turbo system from Pony Down with all the bells and whistles is over $5000, I priced one today.

[Cloud Nine]

Ohh I see. Well really, an On3 kit for around 2500 I believe with upgraded stuff is good enough. Another great brand would be B&G turbo, their stage 1 kit is good for like 600-700 hp and is only around 3000.

Your shooting for 11s and 10s right?

All you need is a solid suspension and a good h/c/i for 11s. Add a blower on that or a shot of nitrous and you'll have 10s.

Right now I'm shooting for 11s and possibly 10s, Here are my choices;

302 h/c/i and a vortech v3 blower - 7000-8000 estimate cost for almost everything new

347 stroker - 9000 or more cost for everything new

302 turbo - probably could pull this one off with 5000 or less with some used parts

Keep in mind these estimates are high because shipping to where I live is expensive, so for you it will be cheaper.

Keep in mind all of these are with a stock 302 block so I know I have the risk of cracking it.

Thats why I have another 302 block ready to go when it happens

[lacole725]

I was looking at the Coast High Performance short blocks, I really like them and would shave a lot of time off the build. If I decide to go with the 427, I will probably buy theirs. They have several different configurations at different performance levels with different types of pistons and everything. If I stroke out the stock block, I might buy their kit. I would love to run 10s all day long but just something respectable will do. Just for shiggles, what kind of time and hp do y'all think a 545 or 557 stroker would lay down? I may end up doing that down the line after I buy a new daily driver and the fox becomes a track only car.

[Cloud Nine]

800 hp all motor. 8s and 7s all night. lol jk. I'm not sure.

There's a 460 at our track that runs in the 10.90 street bracket.

[93hatch]

my 347 build from scratch was like 4500 bucks. Shit isnt cost effective at fucking all for 388whp. All the dumb little shit adds up quick

[lacole725]

Well what are typical wheel hp numbers?

[93hatch]

347? average from 330-380ish. Good well thought out combos 420+

[lacole725]

Originally Posted by 93hatch 347? average from 330-380ish. Good well thought out combos 420+

Sorry I meant a bone stock 302.

[93hatch]

190 lolz