justinm

I just purchased a 88 LX 5.0 today. The car is in perfect condition but has 220k miles on it and leaks about 1 quart of oil every 2 months, Also the first right spark plug goes out about once every 6 weeks.

My goal of this car is a weekend toy car that I can take out to the 1/8th mile track destroy my friends driving their Evo 9s, Turbo Scions, WS6 firebirds and a few other janky cars.

My budget is 7500.

Im pretty sure the car needs the engine rebuilt. Preferably upgraded weather its a rebuild kit or dropping a different engine in.

I wanna be NA for sure. Im not a fan of turbos or superchargers.

What would you experts recommend I do with my 7500 to get the most bang for my buck.

I plan on having shops do all the work so if anyone knows a good shop in the San Diego area that would be awesome if u could give me the info.

mx07gt

7500 is a very nice budget to start...

that 5.0 does need a rebuild, but for best bang for the buck (since you want to stay N/A) would be either a stroker 347, or go junkyard searching for a good 351w (best bang for the buck IMO).

The stroker will run you like 2k-3k depending on shop and which parts you choose, but you'll be at the 302 block limits. This is the easy route if you dont want hassles from the 351w swap.

You could build the 347, some good heads (Twisted Wedge, AFR's etc), A good cam, Good upper and lower intake + nitrous, and you'll be running 11's easily, and still have a good chunk of change left (to be spent in suspension, tires, etc.)


It is a 5 speed right?

woodsy

7500 is just for the engine? If so thats enough to make 600hp on pump gas in the right hands

mx07gt

that's nonsense, what are 600hp good for if you cant put them to the ground?

woodsy

I am not worried if anyone can put it to the ground, all I am concerned with is I build the maximum hp/tq and reliability for said customer. How he plants it is up to him.

justinm

yes it is a 5 spd.

The 7500 is for everything. the car has brand new pirelli tires and new rims.

The main things i was looking at was engine. Something that drops in easy with upgrades. and possibly a new tranny that can handle the added power of the engine. You said 2-3k for a 347 but jegs is asking 9800 for the Ford Racing 347 Sealed Engine with Z Aluminum Heads.

mx07gt

I just noticed you are new to the forums...

do a search, only a rich person would spend 10k on a ford racing 347 crate engine.

you could build your own with half of what that engine costs and probably would perform better.

There are tons of articles in the forum that teach you how to get the best bang for the buck.

welcome

BlessedHellride

You can build a mild budget built 347 with the block that is in your car now. Have money left over for suspension mods. With a 5 speed and a decent driver, you will be in the 11's all day without nitrous. Ask MJR46. Just let us know if you need more specific answers and don't be afraid to ask any questions as most of the replies you will get on here will be pretty close to what you will need to know. Woodsy is a phenomenal guy with more knowledge about small block fords than one man needs I think, but that's what he does for a living and he is good at what he does. He will give you straight advice. He owns www.fordstrokers.com Check him out, tell him your goals and see what he tells you.

I have a naturally aspirated 347 in my car and it's an automatic. Times are in signature below. It is a very budget built 347. I can't get a race in town with the local street scene.

justinm

After doing some research I think the 331 stroker is what I want more so then the 347 for that extra reliability. Ive found some kits on ebay for around 1200-1400. and engine shops that will rebuild my current engine and do the added work work to make it a 331 for about 2500 + the kit. My main question now is what kit to get, these 1200 kits come with alot of possible upgrades for forged parts and stuff. Im mainly looking to get a powerful reliable engine so my car looks stock but can still pulls 11.99 or lower cause ur post have gotten me excited. What company do your recommend buying kit from?

justinm

Also forgot to ask. The kennebell supercharger. Would that bolt straight on the 331 or would i need to make major modifications?