Stock Engine overhaul Suggestions.

[NoSlow50]

Hey guys,

New to the Forum and looking to get some advice on first steps for engine mods. I've already done chassis stiffening and an upgrade to the rear 3.73 gears and brake upgrades. I've purchased an Edelbrock Performer RPM II upper and lower intake. Not sure if I should go with new Edelbrock Performer RPM Heads next, or Edelbrock RPM Performer Cam and lifters? Right now Engine is entirely stock minus a cold air intake. looking to do some upgrades this winter.

I'm looking to make approx 400 naturally aspirate, but I'd also like the option later on down the road to go supercharged. I'm thinking of an engine rebuild kit to freshen up the 5.0 block as I believe I may have a leaky head gasket, thinking new gaskets and rings. I want to stay with the original block and for now keep the existing pistons.

I'm holding off on the installation of the EdleBrock RPM Perf II for now as I would have to upgrade the Throttle Body and Fuel Rails and I'm not sure if that should be my first upgrades, suggestions welcome.

Thanks,
Ruben

 

[dsblk93gt]

I would wait and do it all at once. Get some good heads; Edelbrock, TFS, AFR, etc. then get yourself a custom grind cam or have an engine builder pic you a off the shelf grind to get you what you want for power. When picking a cam though you will want to make sure you keep the supercharger in mind if you are going that way later as some of the NA cams are not the best with a SC. That intake is a nice piece so don't worry about that.

If you do not want to touch the bottom end you will want to stick with a 1.90 intake valve or go with the TFS heads. With the stock shortblock the TFS will probably make the most power. With The 2.02 RPM or the AFR 185 you will need to notch the pistons.

 

[NoSlow50]

Thanks dsblk93gt i was thinking of the following config.

Edelbrock Performer RPM Cylinder Heads - 60229
Intake Runner Volume (cc) 170cc
Exhaust Runner Volume (cc) 60cc

Edelbrock Throttle Body, 75mm

Edelbrock Performer RPM Cam and Lifter Kits
Duration at 050 inch Lift 224 int./234 exh.

I'm going to hold off on SC until I get the bottom end rebuilt with Forged pistons.

 

[The Bone]

if u want 400rw n/a those heads might be a little small

plenty of guys hake high300's n/a with a higher compression 331 and all use TF or AFR185's...the edelbrocks are a little smaller

 

[AdirondackFox08]

I'm going to hold off on SC until I get the bottom end rebuilt with Forged pistons.

If you have a mustang from '85 to '92, the pistons are forged... not sure what year you have though.

 

[dsblk93gt]

I like the Edelbrocks but like mentioned the AFR and TFS outgun them NA. On thing out of the box that the RPM has over both the TFS and R is the valve train especially springs. If you are going for all out NA hp you are going to want a different cam and probably I'd use the TFS heads. If you want around 310-320 rwhp the RPM will do that with the right cam and tuned properly, then with boost 500rwhp is not hard to reach at all. I had TFS heads that were ported by Fox Lake and they were very nice.

400rwhp NA is the territory of a 331/347 with higher rpm's. There are a few guys making alot of power with 302/306 engines though one has TFS heads unported with an off the shelf comp cam.

 

[The Bone]

dsblk93gt....we think alike...i dont know if i like this

 

[NoSlow50]

Thanks guys, I can see already this forum is going to help me a lot. It's an 87 GT I didn't realize it had forged pistons from the factory.

dsblk93gt I found the article you posted a little while back regarding making 400hp with a stock cam. It mentions the AFR 165cc SBF Outlaw Street Heads how do these compare to the Edelbrock's i was looking at?

Now to through another curve, I have to ask which is more reliable, forgoing the SC for a stroker kit? I'd like to keep the original engine, but i don't mind sending it out to be machined.

I'd rather plan from the ground up first, and not have to make multiple purchases in the life of this project. Have I already set my direction by purchasing the Edelbrock Performer RPMII intake? Meaning can a N/A engine build take advantage of such a high flow intake vs a SC setup?

Thanks.

 

[dsblk93gt]

dsblk93gt....we think alike...i dont know if i like this

Hahaha

I'd rather plan from the ground up first, and not have to make multiple purchases in the life of this project. Have I already set my direction by purchasing the Edelbrock Performer RPMII intake? Meaning can a N/A engine build take advantage of such a high flow intake vs a SC setup?

That intake is great NA or SCed. My cousin has one on his 90 GT that I tuned this summer and it works awesome.

dsblk93gt I found the article you posted a little while back regarding making 400hp with a stock cam. It mentions the AFR 165cc SBF Outlaw Street Heads how do these compare to the Edelbrock's i was looking at?

AFR 165 flow more than the Edelbrock but from dynos and track times I don't think they are THAT much better.

Now to through another curve, I have to ask which is more reliable, forgoing the SC for a stroker kit? I'd like to keep the original engine, but i don't mind sending it out to be machined.

Tough one! If your engine is in good shape I'd SC it. Do a compression test to see what condition it is in and one step better would be a leak down test. As far as more reliable, they both can done RIGHT. But a forced induction car done wrong can be a disaster in a hurry.

I myself just have a stock bottom end with stock cam, then heads/intake/etc. I have done a few cars like this with a SC and they ran great at the track and on the street.

 

[cobra20sc]

Thanks guys, I can see already this forum is going to help me a lot. It's an 87 GT I didn't realize it had forged pistons from the factory.

dsblk93gt I found the article you posted a little while back regarding making 400hp with a stock cam. It mentions the AFR 165cc SBF Outlaw Street Heads how do these compare to the Edelbrock's i was looking at?

Now to through another curve, I have to ask which is more reliable, forgoing the SC for a stroker kit? I'd like to keep the original engine, but i don't mind sending it out to be machined.

I'd rather plan from the ground up first, and not have to make multiple purchases in the life of this project. Have I already set my direction by purchasing the Edelbrock Performer RPMII intake? Meaning can a N/A engine build take advantage of such a high flow intake vs a SC setup?

Thanks.

A supercharger setup can make use of all of the advantages of a N/A setup so long as the compression ratio and cam selection are compatible. As noted already, that is a very nice intake for both N/A or SC setup. In some respects, I wish I had gone with that intake over the Holley for ease of installation.

 

[dsblk93gt]

Yea I had the Holley on my car, that EGR pipe SUCKS. I like superchargers personally, I have installed Powerdyne, Paxton, Vortech, and Kenne Bell on 5.0 Mustangs.