ok guys, i've had my 2.3 liter mustang for just around two months now. and i just got challenged by my boss at autozone, who can build the better muscle car. he's building the 1985 Pontiac Firebird, its got a six cylnder in it now but he's plannin a bad *** V8 for it.

my Question, would a 5.0 be enough of a swap to handle making a great drag car to beat his motor? only catch is that we MUST BUILD ONLY SMALL BLOCKS, thanks for your help a head of time.

i'd post this in the 2.3 section, but i'd be told to "build a turbo 2.3 motor" which i want to build my first V8

 

put a 351 in it(small block) and stroke it to a 408.

 

how common are the 351's though? i'm probably gettin mine out of a junkyard, re buildin it and throwing it in next spring

 

get a 94 and up 351 block (F4TE) and build that. Stroke it to a 408 and with nitrous you can see 450-500hp easy, and in a fox that will be awesome power... make sure you upgrade the suspension though. What kind of trans a rear do you have? You will need about $6-7k to do it all right if you have a 5speed and a 7.5 rear including the engine and suspension.

 

How much money are you trying to spend? That makes a HUGE difference. If you wanted to make great power (on a stock 5.0 block/internals) I would say get yourself a 5.0 with decent miles, drop it in there, replace all the gaskets, etc. Buy yourself a nice turbo kit, manifold, tb, maf, ignition, 3.55's, good tires, upper/lower control arms, subframes, etc. You will have one bad *** 400rwhp+ ride right there.

 

Ohh yea, dont plan on running that on a stock transmission either.

 

Pretty common, you shouldn't have a problem getting a roller 351. On a well built 351 you should see 350 to 400 horse at the rear wheels, on a 408 I would expect a good 450 RWH, then add a 150 shot of nitrous......it will be more than you will need.

 

lol, well its not going to be TONS of money all at once. it preety much is Next Racing Season. so next summer. and yes i have a Five Speed and a 7.5 rear end. was plannin on goin 8.8 anyways just tryin to find one. could i use my 4 cyl Trans with a V8? or are we talkin first launch it blows up

 

It will be alright with a mild 302, but if you start trying to run any major HP, you will need a new one. Even the V8 T5 would have to be upgraded with a 351.

 

so this next year it should be okay, but i should start lookin into a beefier trans. sounds good. so what vehicles should i start lookin in for a 302, or the 351?