Which motor?

[Noterminator]

Ok so for now I'm gonna build my 302 which I'll get info on parts etc eventually, but once I have the cash I would like to do a swap. My plans are to have a car that will run high 9-10 seconds in the 1/4 or close to 10's anyway and be streetable. Probably around 600rwhp would be needed I assume. So which motor would be best to get those numbers, and still be reliable and street worthy. I know it can be done, just not sure which motor would be easiest to achieve this, and be reliable at the same time. 351? 347 Stroker? 331 Stroker? 390? 460? 514? And I think the 514 is the biggest we can fit without modifying the entire engine bay, so nothing larger lol. I'm even thinking it might be cheaper to just buy a built motor already built or a crate engine that's already set to drop in. But either way I'm still interested in hearing what others have done.

 

[AdirondackFox08]

Well I'm sure you have already saw the thread of 331 vs. 347, but it really depends on your budget. A 408 would be wicked in a fox. Do you want to be naturally aspirated, or boosted? Personally, I wouldn't put a big block in a fox when you can get the power with less weight on the front and cheaper.

 

[TBapp3]

I do believe a supercharged hci 302 could reach your goals Tim... I'm not sure on the rwhp part but a 10sec street car!

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[Noterminator]

Well I'm sure you have already saw the thread of 331 vs. 347, but it really depends on your budget. A 408 would be wicked in a fox. Do you want to be naturally aspirated, or boosted? Personally, I wouldn't put a big block in a fox when you can get the power with less weight on the front and cheaper.

I didn't see that thread. So which one was decided as the winner? So you say to go with a 408? Still love the big block sound though lol, but that's def true. I prefer naturally aspirated, but I might supercharge the 302 in the mean time.

 

[Noterminator]

I do believe a supercharged hci 302 could reach your goals Tim... I'm not sure on the rwhp part but a 10sec street car!

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I already have all that except for the supercharger lol.

 

[AdirondackFox08]

The easiest way would be to supercharge your 302, but you will have to upgrade at least your heads to have the power to get there. Of course suspension and drag radials or slicks, and the driver will be factors in getting to the 10 sec mark. Then again the stock 302 block is limited to about 450 to 500 rwhp before it splits down the middle of the lifter valley. The 351 blocks are stronger than the 302 blocks and people have been able to get 600 rwhp out of those without any problems.

 

[Noterminator]

The easiest way would be to supercharge your 302, but you will have to upgrade at least your heads to have the power to get there. Of course suspension and drag radials or slicks, and the driver will be factors in getting to the 10 sec mark. Then again the stock 302 block is limited to about 450 to 500 rwhp before it splits down the middle of the lifter valley. The 351 blocks are stronger than the 302 blocks and people have been able to get 600 rwhp out of those without any problems.

Yea I'm not too familiar with the GT40 heads mine has, but I figured they'd need to be upgraded. Which I plan on building this motor for now, the swap is for the future weather it's this car or a different one. I'll probably be going with AFR 185's, but not 100% certain yet as I'm entertaining ideas and opinions. And if I were to go with a 351, it'd probably be the Cleavland since it had better heads, and was overall a slightly better block.

 

[PrjctLxEnvy]

10s also requires a driver mod, the faster you get the better driver you need to be lol at 600rwhp in a fox, Traction is a slight issue, but a done right 306 HCI big money will get you close to 10s, as far as budget.....a 302 with a SC would be fine, look at some youtube vids of stock block 302s in the 10s, Suspension is a big factor too

 

[AdirondackFox08]

Yea I'm not too familiar with the GT40 heads mine has, but I figured they'd need to be upgraded. Which I plan on building this motor for now, the swap is for the future weather it's this car or a different one. I'll probably be going with AFR 185's, but not 100% certain yet as I'm entertaining ideas and opinions. And if I were to go with a 351, it'd probably be the Cleavland since it had better heads, and was overall a slightly better block.

I meant just the 351 block, I wouldn't leave the stock heads on it, lol.

 

[Noterminator]

10s also requires a driver mod, the faster you get the better driver you need to be lol at 600rwhp in a fox, Traction is a slight issue, but a done right 306 HCI big money will get you close to 10s, as far as budget.....a 302 with a SC would be fine, look at some youtube vids of stock block 302s in the 10s, Suspension is a big factor too

Oh no doubt, I wouldn't just do the motor without beefing up everything else lol. That's why I figure big blocks are sometimes easier. It takes a lot of money to get power out of smaller motors. Buying complete motors with big power is a lot of times cheaper than building them these days. And I said 500-600 so it don't have to be 600 lol, anywhere in between is fine or very close to 500.

 

[Noterminator]

I meant just the 351 block, I wouldn't leave the stock heads on it, lol.

Yea I figured as much afterwards lol. Just probably cheaper to find an old 351 4V and rebuild it, but who knows. Too many damn options lol.

 

[BMad]

Don't let the weight of the big block make you shy away from it. With aluminum heads, intake, and water pump, your looking at 550lbs. 302's are around 450. Add in a SC, or other power adder's and the weight will be comparable, but a big block will allow you will have a n/a stock block that can make between 700, to 800hp, with minimal machining, and not blow up. Your biggest problem will be money. A good build will cost around 7,000. That's pretty average for a 800 hp build on any engine starting from scratch, but the headers, motor mounts, bell housing, new tin, sfi balancer, etc. will eat up a lot of money. Which brings me to this. Don't forget to budget safty equipment. If you run 9's you will have to put in a roll bar, driveshaft loop, sfi rated balancer, and flywheel/flex plate, 5 point harness. Frame connectors aren't considered a safety upgrade, but will stop you from twisting your chassis. Don't forget the transmission upgrades, and rear end upgrades. The engine is only part of the equation. I'm not saying that a big block is better than a small block, or build a big block because it's the best thing since sliced bread, but do a lot of reading and research. Ask questions, go to your local drag strip. Find some one that is doing what you want to do and hang around his pit area and ask questions. Most guys at the track are willing to talk, as long as they aren't fixing things.

 

[Noterminator]

Don't let the weight of the big block make you shy away from it. With aluminum heads, intake, and water pump, your looking at 550lbs. 302's are around 450. Add in a SC, or other power adder's and the weight will be comparable, but a big block will allow you will have a n/a stock block that can make between 700, to 800hp, with minimal machining, and not blow up. Your biggest problem will be money. A good build will cost around 7,000. That's pretty average for a 800 hp build on any engine starting from scratch, but the headers, motor mounts, bell housing, new tin, sfi balancer, etc. will eat up a lot of money. Which brings me to this. Don't forget to budget safty equipment. If you run 9's you will have to put in a roll bar, driveshaft loop, sfi rated balancer, and flywheel/flex plate, 5 point harness. Frame connectors aren't considered a safety upgrade, but will stop you from twisting your chassis. Don't forget the transmission upgrades, and rear end upgrades. The engine is only part of the equation. I'm not saying that a big block is better than a small block, or build a big block because it's the best thing since sliced bread, but do a lot of reading and research. Ask questions, go to your local drag strip. Find some one that is doing what you want to do and hang around his pit area and ask questions. Most guys at the track are willing to talk, as long as they aren't fixing things.

Oh I know all that, I'm just getting ideas for a motor right now, and power will be increased over time along with everything else, so I'm mostly getting ideas as what's best to build that can safely handle 500+ rwhp. Even high 10's is fine. Doesn't have to be 9's. Sorry for the misunderstanding.

 

[NYstang]

as said, a well built 302/306 will get you there with a power adder. Wait for TImspony to chime in, he had a 302-based 91 GT that was running 10.30s. Juts nee fhte right HCI combo, some boost, and driver mod (or a nice auto)

Dont forget about the chassis and suspension- Ive seen way too many guys go and build a 550rwhp car, throw slicks or DR's on it and call it good. a suspension designed for a 14sec car wont do well when you double or triple the power. Same goes if the car is set up for 12's - It wont go very well if you try to run 10s or 9s.

 

[Mnirishjr]

Most cost effective and simplistic way imo ---> 351 stroked to 408, carbed, strong suspension front/rear, shave weight, and rear tire size will be important aswell. Done....

 

[Noterminator]

as said, a well built 302/306 will get you there with a power adder. Wait for TImspony to chime in, he had a 302-based 91 GT that was running 10.30s. Juts nee fhte right HCI combo, some boost, and driver mod (or a nice auto)

Dont forget about the chassis and suspension- Ive seen way too many guys go and build a 550rwhp car, throw slicks or DR's on it and call it good. a suspension designed for a 14sec car wont do well when you double or triple the power. Same goes if the car is set up for 12's - It wont go very well if you try to run 10s or 9s.

Yea as stated I'll be doing all mods one thing at a time, so suspension is def on the list among other things. I'm just getting ideas, opinions, etc. Seeing which route would be the best while still keeping reliability there as well. I don't wanna build something that'll need constant maintance every day lol.

 

[Foxbody5.8]

I'm currently working on a 351w, id say go for the 351 at least so the block has potential to take more horesepower.

 

[Noterminator]

That was def one of my first choices being that it's a cheap and easy swap, but I'm leaning more towards doing a 331 Stroker now. We'll see how things go though.