help me plan my build turbo 331

I am currently in Iraq and looking forward to coming back home to my '89 notchback. I have big plans for it when i come home. I am just looking for some input/ opinions/ cristicism... Here is the master plan..

-stock block most likely will need bored.
-331 eagle forged competition stroker assembly
-AFR 185's
-motorsport z-303
-BBK SS1 Race intake
-HP performance 60mm turbo kit
-Zex Turbo Nitrous kit #82218
-Tremec tko600
-fidanza or similar flywheel
-not sure on clutch yet
-AEM EMS with wide band
-UPR tubular k-member/a-arms and front coilovers w/ CC plates
-Energy Poly motor and tranny mounts.
 
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Just wanted to say thanks for enlisting and deploying for your Country..:flag:
That being said, I can't offer you advice on your set-up. I just wanted to add my .02.....I noticed that you JUST turned 22 a few weeks ago...When budgeting for this set-up I would recommend putting at least 1/2 of your money into an investment account that you won't touch until you're ready to make an "investment"...stock, bond, house, etc..
I've seen companies come back from deployment and 80% of the people go out and buy new cars, bikes, toys, etc...Within 9 months they end up in a bigger rut than when they left due to the fact they got used to living rent free and now are stuck with a bunch of bills. (Assumming you are not active military and will actually have bills)......I would recommend figuring out how much money you should have after deployment then subtracing AT LEAST 1/2 of that...(That should be easy to do since it's tax free FTW and doesn't change from month to month.) .Use the rest of it for play money, any deposit/rent, cell phone activation, clothes, insurance/registration, play money for your set-up, etc......This should give you a good idea of how much you actually have to spend...Once you have that figured out THEN go ahead and build your mustang accordingly.....If you plan accordingly you should have plenty to build what your listing, but going overboard can be VERY easy...I don't want to be your parents, I'm just saying you should set a certain amount aside and stick to that amount is all...
Hopefully someone else can help you better with your set-up..Again thanks for your service.:nice:
 
Your combo looks good, but i would recommend a custom grind cam. You are going to need to girdle the block, and install head studs. The AFR heads are great. installed a set on a 92 coupe along with a vortech sq supercharger, gt 40 intake, E-303 cam, 180,000 mile shortblock. I made 452 to the rear tires.
 
Well a girdle wont help you with that combo, your power potential can and more then likely split a stock block the girdle will just keep your block in a neat pile, and you might be able to save a forged rotating assmeble, also def go with a custom ground cam they really don't cost that much and you'll maximize the power your set up is capable of. If your going to build a turbo motor from the ground up def go with a dart or a R block this way your block can support the hp levels your rotation assemble and turbo can support. MMR has some pretty decent clutches rated for some serious power at a fair price. I have them for both my cars. I am in the similar but opposite position trying to get my turbo fox done before I leave, and finish the 68 with some of the cash i'll get there. Also investing some is something you should think about as well, I know i will be. Goodluck and be safe
 
-stock block most likely will need bored.
-331 eagle forged competition stroker assembly
-AFR 185's
-motorsport z-303
-BBK SS1 Race intake
-HP performance 60mm turbo kit
-Zex Turbo Nitrous kit #82218
-Tremec tko600
-fidanza or similar flywheel
-not sure on clutch yet
-AEM EMS with wide band
-UPR tubular k-member/a-arms and front coilovers w/ CC plates
-Energy Poly motor and tranny mounts.


with spending all this coin dude...you HAVE to get an aftermarket block, seriously. There is SO much more potential with an aftermarket block as well as safety. I like the new Boss block.

Here is what I would recommend. The bold items are what I changed.

- 331 eagle forged competition stroker assembly
- AFR 205's

- Camshaft - I'd really suggest talking with one of the custom cam grinders though, they can really work wonders and make great power. Ed Curtis @ FTI and Jay Allen @ Camshaft Innovations are great.

- Stud mount 1.6 Rockers
- Edelbrock Victor 5.0 Intake
- HP performance 66mm turbo kit
- No need for Nitrous :D
- Tremec TKO 600
- fidanza or similar flywheel
- Spec Stage 3 Clutch
- AEM EMS with wide band - excellent kit
- Accufab 75mm Throttle Body
- 80mm MAF - minimum
- 60lb injectors
- Aeromotive Fuel System


I am not a fan of UPR suspension. I would recommend Maximum Motorsports for the suspension. Racecraft, Inc. makes a great K-Member too..

Have you thought about the drivetrain yet?
 
I would rethink about going with HP due to their long wait time and horrible customer service. I went with B@G Custom Turbo and the quality and service plus the price was great. However like previously stated you are going to need a aftermarket block. Why build a house on sand? Jo
 
thanks for all the input. I have just re-enlisted and will have a 15k lump sum bonus coming soon. I do have several bills to pay, student loans, etc. The remainder will be put into the Savings Deposit Program to earn 10% until I return home. I just turned 23 actually and have no car payments, and have had a house for two years. When I get home I am planning on attending the John Hennessey tuner school in Texas, so I also need to save up about 13k for tuition. I would love to have the car completed by around may (when class starts), as the cost of tuition includes dyno/ track time. If everything works as it should, my wife will be contributing much more after she graduates this fall. I realize these are probably big plans, but I figured I should do it right the first time.

Does anyone have experience with the BBK Race intake? I know its new.. wanted to try it out.
Also the zex kit it specifically designed for turbo cars, only spraying until the boost builds then cuts off when specific psi is hit. It helps the spool up time and will even out the power band.
With the bigger turbo comes more lag, and the smaller one will more than support my goals of 500+. I'll look into that further though.
As far as the rear end goes, I'm planning on a 9" from most likely DTS. a bolt in type deal that uses the stock CA mounting points. I already have a motorsport alum DS.

I have only heard good things about HP, if its just wait time.. i have a while before i'm home. I believe its 4-6 build time for the kits.

I'll start looking into the boss blocks.
 
Just an idea...but why start with a 302? Might as well go 351, and be able to hit your hp goal with less rpms/boost. Also, CI wise, you are limited to around 347. With the 351, you can go 400+.
 
With the bigger turbo comes more lag, and the smaller one will more than support my goals of 500+

When you order the kit, order the turbo with a smaller housing so it spools faster.

I'm telling you, there is no need for Nitrous. You can make 500HP on a bone stock 302 with a turbo kit if you want.

As far as the rear end goes, I'm planning on a 9"

Why? An 8.8 is more than strong enough unless your building a 8 second car. Buy some 31 Spline axles and a 31 spline diffential or a spool depending on your ultimate goal.

:)
 
Well, I want a turbo for sure, I'm addicted to turbos and I need a fix. Are 5.8 turbo kits just as available? Will I be able to use all the factory 302 wiring/sensors? I don't want to have to do something custom. I believe that a stroked 302 will suffice. This will be daily driven in the summer provided I can afford the fuel. I just want something that is an absolute blast to drive, will wax most anyone on the street and will be able to handle several 1/4 mile runs a year.

Do I need any of this.... No, but I want it..

As far as the rear end goes, currently the 8.8 that i has backlash and needs to be shimmed, has no e-brake cables and is running used bronco/ranger axles (poor man 5-lug swap). I would rather start with new rear, if I can build an 8.8 that will handle the hp for cheaper than a 9" then I will do that. Plus I have another use for the 8.8 i'm running (cherokee rear upgrade).
 
I have been running the HP t60 set up for 5 years now. I have over 25k miles on the set up. I think it is possible to use the stock block if you aren't too greedy and you know your air/fuel at all times. Absolutely purchase a good air/fuel meter(Innovate is an excellent one). Also if you go with HP get their custom cam. I'd be glad to help you out with info, just pm me. I would recommend the 331 over the 347. I had mine torn down over the winter so I could send my tubing back to get re Jet Hot coated under warranty with HP. Here are some pics of the kit...

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100_2030.jpg

100_2021-1.jpg

100_2022.jpg

100_2025-1.jpg


here's the dyno sheet with my old set up, haven't dynoed with the Trick Flow and Hogan components yet, but am expecting better #'s.
dyno.jpg
 
I wouldn't do a 60 . . . try a t70.

And if you are trying to get a ton of power for cheap . . . early model 351 block.
It will take more than what you want forever.

+1 turbos make 302 block splitting power

also look at the f303 cam a great turbo power maker most of turbomustangs.com is using the f cam with good reason

also think about e85 i run 13:1, 8lbs of boost and no timing retard. I am close to 351 splitting power now.
 
wow! I'm not really a fan of chrome.. but that looks sweet. So what is your opinion of HP? Everything go smooth with them? Is the DSS block anything special? Stronger than a stocker?

I am planning on the AEM EMS kit with wideband so I can keep close tabs on everything.
I actually am already running an F303 cam, or so i was told by previous owner. well see.

Another question.. do you feel that the intercooler provided is sufficient? I just ordered a Snow Performance Stage II Boost cooler for my wifes XR4Ti, do you think something like this would help?
 
wow! I'm not really a fan of chrome.. but that looks sweet. So what is your opinion of HP? Everything go smooth with them? Is the DSS block anything special? Stronger than a stocker?

I am planning on the AEM EMS kit with wideband so I can keep close tabs on everything.
I actually am already running an F303 cam, or so i was told by previous owner. well see.

Another question.. do you feel that the intercooler provided is sufficient? I just ordered a Snow Performance Stage II Boost cooler for my wifes XR4Ti, do you think something like this would help?

Thanks, but nothing under there is chrome it's the new" Extreme "jet hot coating or aluminum, chrome makes heat=not good. Yes, the intercooler is sufficient. I think the HP kit puts up good #'s but I can't dispute the problems with deliveries. I didn't really have any problems with HP, but i have heard of some that have. There wern't all the choices for good kits five years ago like now. I got the Level 20 race prep DSS, but it's still a stock block basically. Good luck.
 
I've done some digging on HP and have seen plenty of horror stories. Now I'm leaning toward the ponydown stage 2 twin turbo kit, which will put in the same hp range. The main difference I see in this kit is that it does not include any ceramic coating, no MAF, and no Injectors. But If I can source all of that and be at roughly the same price of the HP kit, then I will do that. I think twin turbos look better anyhow :nice:
so heres the new breakdown.

- 331 eagle forged competition stroker assembly
- Ponydown stage II twin turbo kit
- AFR 205's
- BBK race intake.. (i still wanna try it)
- Tremec TKO 600
- Upgraded 8.8
- Looped Motorsport Aluminum DS
- Fidanza or similar flywheel
- Spec Stage 3 Clutch
- AEM EMS with wide band
- Accufab 75mm Throttle Body
- 80mm MAF - minimum
- Tubular K and A-arms w/ coilovers.
- 60lb injectors
- Aeromotive Fuel System w/cell (my stock tanks leaks anyway)


Any more input on this? I want to have a solid plan so that I can budget accordingly before diving in.

thanks