I plan to fully build my 04 gt vert in a year and a half or so. I'm either going to do a t56 swap or a built 3650, building the rear, upper and lower control arms and subframe connectors, and upgrading all the fuel systems. For the motor I'm guessing maybe bore .03 over, new heads, lt headers, forging internals, cams, low compression pistons (already boosted), intercooler, tb plenum and a power pipe. Anything else I should do? I'm hoping to be capable of 700-800 rwhp and around 600 rwhp tune for dd. you guys think I could do this for 15-20k?

Edit: Current mods are vortech v1 t trim and weld in flow 40s

 

20 to 25K more likely. I spent 15K 5 years ago to do my 347 stoker. Building a race car is a big job that will cost you a lot of money and time. There are things that's going to cost you a lot of money that are un for seen. I wish you luck....

 

I should be hitting 10s even with the extra convertible weight though correct?

I know just buying a termi would be better but nobody expects a gt to walk em (even though I'd still be small fry in the grand scheme of things)

 

don't forget the fuel system.

 

600rw dd car? Good luck with that.

Unfortunately with a build like that, it will be difficult to maintain much of the factory engineered reliability and driveability. Which is not to say that you'll be stranded on the side of the road, but more than likely there will be a bit of additional regular maintenance and tinkering involved to keep it running "just right". And then getting the chassis and suspension up to par to handle that sort of power will most likely make it into a car that is best used as a weekend toy rather than something that's comfortable enough for daily use.

I know a guy on another forum that built a '97 GT to around 650rw (2.8 KB, TF heads, big cams, etc) and did it right from the ground up, didn't skimp on anything, and he's the first to say that there's nothing dd about that car. He actually misses back when the car was at 400rw and he could just hop in it and go anywhere he liked. Other than track days and very occasional weekend use, the car just sits now. Not including whatever he paid for the car and previously achieved milder hp levels he has around $20K into it. And that's doing 99% of the work himself.

 

Hmm so maybe build it to handle that much but keep it around 500rwhp? That was it'll still be really reliable and maybe I can still DD then. lol

I mean I can deal with not optimal ride quality I believe but, you're probably right. I've never even been in a car with that much power so idk.

 

500rw dd will be wild but I think it may be do-able. Hopefully somebody who's actually built 500rw will chime in though, lol. There used to be quite a few here pushing numbers like that....

Pretty sure your T-trim can support that. I would just do the whole forged internals thing, mild blower cams and maybe lt's and let the blower and the fuel system do the rest. Figuring for 15% drivetrain loss, 500rw is about 575 at the flywheel. That's honestly a sh!tload of power dude. Be sure to get the suspension/chassis, brakes and tires up to par.

 

Hahah yeah the 338rwhp I have now would probably be good for any other 18 year old. I'm seriously just considering just buying a fox and building it instead. It would be much better to have a hard top as my fast car. I guess I'll just slap on some suspension an intercooler power pipe tb plenum longtubes (motor mounts are going bad and its same labor to throw in some LTs) and a o/r midpipe and be happy with 380 or so on the 2v.

That way I'd have a convertible 04 thats a little fast for cruises with the top off and daily driving AND a badass car that puts down some stupid amount of power. Whatever I decide I'm sure I'll be more than happy I threw my hard earned money at it!

BTW my 2v should still last a long time with 380rwhp or so right? I know its basically a lottery with these kinda things, but i'm hoping to get at least another few years of DD before any other major problems!