H/C/I topend build advice

[DouglasOhio]

Its new top end time...

Im a 16 year old kid with an 89 LX. As you can imagine i dont have much money, but i have enough for some modest work. Im going to be doing the work myself, Gonna do heads, intake manifold, and a cam. ive never done anything as extensive as this, but i think i can handle it.
Ive decided on going with GT40p heads, probably unported due to money issues unless someone can convince me to clean them up myself
I figure i can get these for about 375 at a junkyard considering i saw a nice pair go on ebay for 350+ shipping.
As far as intake goes, im not sure what would be the best choice heres a few ideas i had,any others are much appreciated
97 explorer lower and a cobra upper
Or a exp. lower and exp. upper as well...
Used edelbrock performer bought on ebay or stangnet classifieds....
cobra upper/lower
Ill also be getting a cam, but i have no idea what "size"
I dont care how lopey my idle is, my brothers stang has a nice cam in it and i love the idle. Im going for as much power with as little money possible here SOO as long as the car doesnt stall at idle im good.
Id like to get a cam in the 135-150 dollar range, i was planning on just asking summit what sizes.

I figure i can get by with everything for about $850. BUT i will keep plenty of money on hand for nickel and dime **** besides gaskets and specialty tools ill need.
SO any advice for a first timer?
THANKS GUYS

Edit: oh yeah i forgot to ask also,
the cars motor was rebuilt about 6k ago, and has 3.73's, king cobra clutch, 190 lph fp, off road h with flows, and hooker supercomp short headers... will the headers fit the gt40p heads? i heard that you need some special headers for the p heads due to the diff. spark plug angle
what kind of WHP you think ill be puttin down when im done?

 

[DouglasOhio]

bump... come on ya'll help me out

 

[ninjacoupe]

It actually sounds pretty good. Just keep an eye out for good deals on parts that match your combo. Just becuase you found a big race manifold cheap doesn't make it a good deal for you unless you sell it for a profit. Look for good used parts...

 

[Mike86Stang]

Ok you'll need to swap the headers, I don't believe they will fit with the GT-40P's. if anything I'd mill the heads a little to get as much compression out of it as possible & keep it running on pump gas.

As far as intakes go I'd say a used Edelbrock performer would be perfect for those heads.

Cam... that's the toughy, how high do you want to rev it? Does it have to pass inspection? What about the idle? Do you need your power accesories to work? Then you have to deal with valve spring pressures, pushrod length, valve spring insalled high & coil bind OH JOY!


Sorry, I'm getting ahead of myself. Answer the cam questions & that will help to give us an idea on what would suit you.

mike

 

[mnsports]

Sounds like you have a plan. Your heads are the most important upgrade so port them for sure. Here is a link to a great artical, print it out and read it and I am sure it will help. look at the "Head Porting Guide" on that page.

http://www.sa-motorsports.com/diyguide.shtm

 

[DouglasOhio]

Mike86Stang...

As far as the cam questions you had....
I figure ill be shifting at about 5600-5750 rpm when im racing, so that answers the rev q. As far as inspection, HELL NO, im lucky and i live in a county that doesnt have E check so i dont have to worry about that.
The idle, my car's idle surges bad right now,but im working on fixing that, so once the idle is good, id like it to have a badass "cammed" idle, that will stay running of course easily at red lights because tthis car will be a daily driver, but i want as much power as possible as well...
The power accessories, i need to run the alternator, water pump, fan, and power steering, but i dont have U/D pulleys so they should all still work fine with any cam? right? wrong? IDK
thanks for anymore help

 

[darthcual]

Hmmmm 16 years old hey. I cant think of a time I was more rich. You'll understand when your married w/ children.

 

[srothfuss]

How long have you been driving the stang? If it's fairly new to you, you should get used to the car in 'stock' form before you really increase the power. That will give you time to save up for your mods and time to learn how to handle your pony at a some what safe level... Just my $0.02.

For Cheap upgrages.... Thumer/TMOSS and a cam would put you out the door around $1000.00 and your car would be fairly driveable.

 

[DouglasOhio]

Haha , darthcaul, i know i love not having any bills or anything to pay for except gas and insurance. I worked 5 months not spending a dime to be able to by this car off my brother in time for my 16th birthday. It was worth every hour.
As for me being used to driving the car, i think im ok, ive been driving it almost a year (ill be 17 on july 9th) i think i know what to expect, i dont beat on the car but when i want to have some fun, i think the 14.4 (my brother drove the car to 14.6's with the stock exhaust on it)( ill have official ET's next week after my first trip to the track ) machine needs to go a little bit more for me... I think the motor and car is probably capable of 14 flat but my second gear synchro is **** and the way my car is geared, a nice shift into second gear is crucial to my ET's. Im rebuilding the tranny in school next year, if i can wait that long.
thanks for the advice everyone

 

[FastDriver]

Kyle,

You seem like you are on the right track. Don't get too worked up over dyno figures. You will gain a noticeable difference. With a new set of heads and an intake, the ol 5 oh will really wake up.

With unported GT40X heads, a stock Cobra intake, and a comp cam I made 270 rwhp and ran low 13s on street radials at around 106.

Chris

 

[Dean85GT]

Oh Ive got the good ol worn 2 gear synchro myself. What a pain in the ass it is. Try picturing driving your hard car but always having to shift slowly at 2800 rpm into second. ITS TERRIBLE

 

[2002BLGT]

thumper $595exchange /tmoss $100 exchage , with trickflow state 1 cam $139 from summitracing.com , should be a great kick butt combo , new timing set $25 , gasket set $90 , ARP bolts $40-45 , new plugs $10 , oil and filter $15 , antifreeze $10, gasket sealer $4 , thermostat $6 ,water pump $30,and ( I always recommend a new fan clutch too)$30

grand total about $1100 thats counting on not finding a busted hose or anything else you might need .......

always figure in the little things when you plan a job like this ......