H Dean

sorry slow getting back----what did you put your 408 into? what trans and rear gear?

i'm now really worried about the 8" rear end with the 4.11 i now have!

also---what of traction bars or other help keeping the wheels on the ground [no wheel hop]? dont want to go crazy here and want to keep 'normal' ride height---no jacking up of the rear end.

any better shocks or other suggestions?

thanks.

4Stangs

Myshifter is right...you need some actual figures on the components and assembly to figure compression. With dished pistons and 58cc heads, you may be below the 10:1 depending on gasket thickness, has block been decked...etc.

But, with an engine combo like you describe, forget running anything but 92 plus octane. Why go to the trouble of building a HiPo motor and then cuffing it with low compression and less-than-desireable timing so you can save 10 cents or so a gallon? Especially if you only plan to drive it on the weekends? Whatta you gonna save...a buck or two per weekend?

Go with the 10:1 and run the 92+ with enough timing to get what you are working a paying for...HPs! Running lower octane fuel won't make it sluggish, it'll make it detonate (spark knock)which of course is bad. Unless you have plans for a turbo or S/C sometime in the future...that's a whole new ball game.

Use the time-tested and era-correct slapper bars for traction. They should do what you want. Available from Jegs and not expensive. If you plan to drag race and really put that rear to the test, save your $ and get a nine inch. You should be able to make that swap with REALLY good parts for less than $1000 and you wouldn't have to worry about a hard manual trans-type dump-the-cluth launch. If you just plan on an occasional banzai blast from a slow roll, the 8 inch will probably hold together if it's set up right.

My opinion!

4Stangs

I want to add: Nice Car!

You building a 302 stroker or 351W stroker? My 85 GT has a 418 C.I. stroked 351.

4Stangs

The title answered my question. Duh. [&:]

The car should be right peppy when you're done!