Upgrades To Accommodate Stroker Build

Canary94GT

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Jun 27, 2009
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Seattle, WA
I have a 94 GT with a T5 that is pretty much bone stock (CAI & midpipe) with 90k miles (mostly city). I'm very early in the process of considering having a 331/347 stroker built and put in there.

I can't seem to find any resources that would tell me what other upgrades to the car are required/recommended to accommodate the stroker (let's say it ends up being 350hp). What needs to or should be done, i.e. suspension, chassis stiffening, drivetrain, brakes, cooling, etc? I'm trying to figure out approximately how much this is going to cost so I want to know all that needs to be done. All resources I'm finding seem to only cover what needs to be done to build the engine.
 
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I suppose it all depends if you want to optimize the stroker kit. I mean you can put a 331 stroker kit in a stock 5.0 and retain the stock heads/cam/intake/injectors and exhaust and not really have to upgrade anything. But if you want to optimize the extra displacement, then a better intake manifold/cylinder heads/camshaft/exhaust system and fuel system are in order, along with other things.
 
No real major upgrades needed outside the engine and fuel system. Im'm running a built 331 and upgraded the chassis and suspension a little.....but that was by choice, not out of necessity. I think chassis and suspension upgrades should be done to a stock car, personally.

Otherwise, I'm running the stock radiator, stock trans, stock rear-end (3.73 gears), stock brakes etc.

The factory junk will handle 350hp no problem. Beat on the T5 enough though and you're gonna wish you hadn't....but I've seen guys break T5's at the stock power level.
 
Alright, so the issue will be the T5 transmission. Any recommendations on what to do about it? Is there a beef-up T5 rebuild kit or should I just buy a beefed up T5 or go with a TKO-600?

the 600 has a far better gear ratio than a t5 imo and of course it is stronger. if your t5 is working perfectly, you can sell it for some decent money to help pay for the 600.

if you prefer stiffer suspension, look at koni's bilsteins or strange engineering adjustable shocks or similar.

if you dump the clutch much you might stiffen the rear springs a hair.

you will need a pressure plate that is stronger than stock. i would look at at least an 1800 - 2000 lb one. 2400 is getting hard to depress the clutch pedal on.

i would use a dual friction disc from mcleod or centerforce


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the 600 has a far better gear ratio than a t5 imo and of course it is stronger. if your t5 is working perfectly, you can sell it for some decent money to help pay for the 600.

if you prefer stiffer suspension, look at koni's bilsteins or strange engineering adjustable shocks or similar.

if you dump the clutch much you might stiffen the rear springs a hair.

you will need a pressure plate that is stronger than stock. i would look at at least an 1800 - 2000 lb one. 2400 is getting hard to depress the clutch pedal on.

i would use a dual friction disc from mcleod or centerforce


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You love to spend other peoples money, don't you? ;)
 
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