Got a little Project
 

A friend and I were looking at building a 1988 Mustang GT hatch. It has the 5.0HO with a 5spd tranny. We are looking to get it in the 270hp-300hp range, I have no clue what these engines made stock, but we are looking for a budget build as well. Our price max is $1,000. Is this a possible build or no? If we can we would like to keep it simple, but we both have the experience to tear the engine down and put a new rotating assembly in it. Please help, we need to know those magic parts to get to that horsepower range.

yes it is possible your goal, 225 bhp was what they had, being that your speed density, I'd convert it to mass air or be careful on cam choice if keeping it speed density and look for a set of gt-40p heads and cobra,explorer ot gt-40 intake, have all supporting mods such as exhaust , gears, pullies and some suspension mods and 270 rwhp should be easy:)

How expensive and what is needed to convert to mass air? I would also like to know how much it would cost to balance a rotating assembly. I have found a complete assembly for about $750, problem is its not balanced, it comes with pistons, rods, bearings, gaskets, and crank. I am looking at boring the cylinders to make it about a 347 or so.

it cost me about 100 bucks to convt http://www.stangnet.com/tech/maf/massairconversion.html and if u want to go 347 that would be very hard hard to do with a 1000 bucks u can get gt40 heads and a gt 40 intake for about 500 bucks

for a 347 you'll have to get the block notched aswell for the crank. you can do a 331 without notching.. but yea 270 rwhp is definately in reach. if engine is running descent. start hunting in the junkyards for some gt40/p heads intake. Throw some exhaust and gears in. and if money left put together your own nitrous kit for like $200-300

Ok, so what you are saying is, if i put the GT40/p heads and intake that should get my 270hp I'm looking for? That being said, can i run nitrous on a stock engine? And when you say gears, do you mean the rear ring gear?

If your lucky, you can get a GT40 intake and heads of an exploder in a junkyard, for pretty cheap, if not, you may be able to find GT40 heads and intakes on Craigslist or Ebay for fairly cheap as well, my buddys building a 5.0 for an Rx7 and we scored an explorer intake for 150 off ebay

by gears, they are referring to the Ring AND pinion; they dont add horsepower, but most definately help acceleration, unfortunately, your looking at a 500 dollar part+install, theyre not something you want to do in your garage if you havent done them before

as for the nitrous, yes its possible, but im not the one to talk to, feel free to PM Dimebag, he had an old speed density fox that he ran nitrous on it with no problems (until he blew the engine, but i believe that was due to detonation)

Ok, so that kills off the ring and pinion for now. Heads and intake should get me where I want correct? Will i have to get new fuel injectors? Can I run a K&N on a speed density or not. I believe that should help too.

heads cam and intake yes, unfortunately, you have a chance at spending alot more than 1 grand. yeah, you are highly likely going to need bigger injectors, however, the 19's MAY suffice with GT40's but you will probably lean out up top and need to get 24's

What size cam do you recommend for this build