Sup bros,
So I think I've had a bit of an engine failure :(
Took my car to the track last weekend and was beating the fuck out of it. Either my oil started foaming up real bad or my pump started sucking air up at some point, because after one particular killer run I now only have 12psi of oil pressure at idle, cold or hot. Used to be 45-50 cold, 25-30 hot :(
Anyway, something happened, no sense in crying over spilled milk. Gotta move on, amiright? So that got me thinking... I really don't wanna pull my engine out just to put another 302 in. Not quite enough power for me. I've been toying with the idea of a turbo for the longest while, but I really don't wanna deal with the associated "turbo headache", otherwise I'd just have done a turbo m20. So here's the ideas I've been tossing around, cheapest to most expensive (I think anyway)
Option 1: Ford 351W. The mounts and accessories I already have will work, as will the transmission... though I'll either have to get g-force parts or a TKO trans to make it hold up to the added torque. Guessitmate is about $5k to do this swap ($2kish for the tranny, another 2.5k for an upgraded rotating assembly and all that jazz)
The upsides are a shit ton of extra torque throughout the powerband, general reliability from a N/A setup
Downside is that the 351 is 50ish pounds heavier than the 302. Also, it's about 1.1ish inches wider on each side. Custom, extra tight headers will have to be made to compensate for this, as I've only got .5" or so on each side now between the frame and the collector flange. Also, the 351 is an inch or so taller, so my hood is gonna have to have a slight cowl to it... not cool, I know, but whatevs
Option 2: LS1. Can't decide if this is more expensive than option #3 or not. In any case, I'm guesstimating $9-10k for this swap. 5k for the engine/tranny combo, a bit more for refresher bits and $3k for the exhaust and swap parts.
Pros are that it's lighter than a 351, but apparently roughly the same as my current engine. Fuel injection would be nice too
Cons are that it's fucking expensive for something that has roughly the same power as my current setup. Everything's completely different from what I already have, pretty much starting from scratch. Apparently old LS1s have bad oil starvation problems too.
Option 3: turbo 302/332 using a dart block. This one is probably going to be the most expensive... but the most solid. $2k for the block, $2k for the rotating assembly after machining & ect, $3k for a TKO600 + bellhousing + clutch + driveshaft, $2500 for the turbo stuff/proper cooling system. So about the same price range/level of the LS1 that makes me realize I have a problem with my spending when it comes to the car, but with a potential for doubling the power.
Pros are that I will never make enough power to crack the dart block. I'll be able to use a lot of the stuff my car already has, which will be nice & convenient. I'll have more power than I'll ever need, which will be cool too.
Cons are, once again, fucking expensive. I already have issues keeping my car running cool at the track (though I think a fan shroud and hood vents would really help. no issues at all on the street). No idea where I'd cram an intercooler (and it'd be covering a good bit of the radiator. No bueno) but I guess maybe an air-to-water cooler could work out good since they're so compact.
Anyway, what would you guys do if you were single, no kids, nearing 30, have no real fiscal burdens and disposable income? Only other thing I'd do with the money is maybe some home improvements... thoughts?
So I think I've had a bit of an engine failure :(
Took my car to the track last weekend and was beating the fuck out of it. Either my oil started foaming up real bad or my pump started sucking air up at some point, because after one particular killer run I now only have 12psi of oil pressure at idle, cold or hot. Used to be 45-50 cold, 25-30 hot :(
Anyway, something happened, no sense in crying over spilled milk. Gotta move on, amiright? So that got me thinking... I really don't wanna pull my engine out just to put another 302 in. Not quite enough power for me. I've been toying with the idea of a turbo for the longest while, but I really don't wanna deal with the associated "turbo headache", otherwise I'd just have done a turbo m20. So here's the ideas I've been tossing around, cheapest to most expensive (I think anyway)
Option 1: Ford 351W. The mounts and accessories I already have will work, as will the transmission... though I'll either have to get g-force parts or a TKO trans to make it hold up to the added torque. Guessitmate is about $5k to do this swap ($2kish for the tranny, another 2.5k for an upgraded rotating assembly and all that jazz)
The upsides are a shit ton of extra torque throughout the powerband, general reliability from a N/A setup
Downside is that the 351 is 50ish pounds heavier than the 302. Also, it's about 1.1ish inches wider on each side. Custom, extra tight headers will have to be made to compensate for this, as I've only got .5" or so on each side now between the frame and the collector flange. Also, the 351 is an inch or so taller, so my hood is gonna have to have a slight cowl to it... not cool, I know, but whatevs
Option 2: LS1. Can't decide if this is more expensive than option #3 or not. In any case, I'm guesstimating $9-10k for this swap. 5k for the engine/tranny combo, a bit more for refresher bits and $3k for the exhaust and swap parts.
Pros are that it's lighter than a 351, but apparently roughly the same as my current engine. Fuel injection would be nice too
Cons are that it's fucking expensive for something that has roughly the same power as my current setup. Everything's completely different from what I already have, pretty much starting from scratch. Apparently old LS1s have bad oil starvation problems too.
Option 3: turbo 302/332 using a dart block. This one is probably going to be the most expensive... but the most solid. $2k for the block, $2k for the rotating assembly after machining & ect, $3k for a TKO600 + bellhousing + clutch + driveshaft, $2500 for the turbo stuff/proper cooling system. So about the same price range/level of the LS1 that makes me realize I have a problem with my spending when it comes to the car, but with a potential for doubling the power.
Pros are that I will never make enough power to crack the dart block. I'll be able to use a lot of the stuff my car already has, which will be nice & convenient. I'll have more power than I'll ever need, which will be cool too.
Cons are, once again, fucking expensive. I already have issues keeping my car running cool at the track (though I think a fan shroud and hood vents would really help. no issues at all on the street). No idea where I'd cram an intercooler (and it'd be covering a good bit of the radiator. No bueno) but I guess maybe an air-to-water cooler could work out good since they're so compact.
Anyway, what would you guys do if you were single, no kids, nearing 30, have no real fiscal burdens and disposable income? Only other thing I'd do with the money is maybe some home improvements... thoughts?
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