Future plans. Looking for advice.

[Skidzz]

Ok, I just finished college and soon I should have a much better paying job. I'm also selling my house and I'm going to spend some of the money or so on the GT. Here's what I plan to do in the near future:

H&R springs, Bilstein S/S, LCA's, C/C plates.
New clutch
Rims/tires
Paint touch-up and new clear coat.
Cowl hood
Saleen s281 spoiler
MAYBE Nitrous

My long-term goal, however, is to swap the engine for something I can supercharge. I was thinking of just going with a MPH short-block, but I'm not sure yet. Basically, my goal at first is to have a set-up that pushes just enough power for the stock transmission and rear-end to handle, but I also want a set-up that has the potential to make 500rwhp once I eventually change the transmission and beef up the rear.

So my questions are:
How much hp will the stock t-45 and rear-end handle?
What is the best set-up to go with to meet that number, but later on be able to crank up to my 500rwhp goal?
About how much am I looking at spending on parts?

The reason I ask is because I'm debating if I actually want to do this or just sell the GT later on and buy a Terminator. I know that the obvious answer is the latter, but there is a sentimental value in my GT because of the time/money/pride that I have in it.

 

[Skidzz]

Bump

 

[LaserSVT]

I can appreciate wanting to keep the car, I love my Cobra and want to make it as powerful as a Terminator since I can do a little at a time cause I cant afford a Termi. That being said if I had enough cash to cover the difference after selling my car I would buy one in a heartbeat.

 

[NobleHdwe]

You may look at not putting too much into your current stang, and getting a different one to play with when money allows or whatever. Then use your current on more as a DD

 

[Skidzz]

Well, I actually plan to buy a different car as my DD. Something with good gas-mileage and maybe AWD, and something that I won't be tempted to mod. I'm thinking about getting a mid-late 90's Audi A4. So, I plan to have the Model A, the DD, and a Mustang of some kind. I might even consider trying to buy a terminator motor from a wrecked cobra and dropping that into the GT...

 

[NobleHdwe]

Hmmmmm I can see your problem now! I hate having to make decisions like that!! That's why I need to win the lottery!!!

 

[Skidzz]

Anyway, back to my questions. First of all, how much hp can the stock T-45 and rear-end handle?

 

[ceracer33]

from what i've seen the stock t45 isnt gonna hold much more power than the engine can hold as well, around 400rwhp. i might stretch it out to around 500rwhp but it would be on borrowed time. i blew my t45 with 240rwhp spraying a 100 shot on top of that and street tires. as for the rear end, i dont trust them on slicks at all. a lot of people are in the 500rwhp+ range on stock rear end and no problems, but there are also a lot that grenaded it with much less power. i would plan to go ahead and build the rear and buy a new tranny before trying to make a lot of power but thats just me. i will be going to the dyno once i get my tb/plenum and long tubes on the car to see what i put down and get my tune perfect. i expect to be around 380rwhp on spray and im planning to build the rear and build a forged short block before i do any more mods. i already have a built tranny.

 

[Skidzz]

Ok, so then if I'm looking to do it a little at a time, then I guess my goal is to have a supercharged engine setup that can be cranked down to about 350-380 rwhp while I have my stock tranni and rear, but something that I can crank up to about 500rwhp later on when I beef up the tranni and rear. So here's what I'm thinking:

MPH forged short-block w/ ported heads, blower cams, and paxton or vortech sc running a conservative tune. Would I be able to crank this set-up to about 500rwhp later on?

 

[LaserSVT]

Yeah that setup will be good for 500+ rwhp with intercooler and a good fuel system (tank, pumps, lines, injectors and wiring upgrade). The rear and tranny will hold just fine IF you dond drag race it. On the street and even SCCA/NASA racing will be ok. Its only thoes hard launches with all that power that grenade the rear ends and kill the tranny. Well not ONLY but mostley anyway.

 

[ceracer33]

yea that is true, if ur not drag racing it and launching hard on dr's or slicks then the stock rear/tranny will be fine. i was talking about beffing it up to handle the power with slicks. i have a new goal of lifting the front wheels by the end of the summer, but i dont think its gonna happen.

 

[LaserSVT]

Good goal Good luck!

 

[CENTENNIALSTANG]

Ok, so then if I'm looking to do it a little at a time, then I guess my goal is to have a supercharged engine setup that can be cranked down to about 350-380 rwhp while I have my stock tranni and rear, but something that I can crank up to about 500rwhp later on when I beef up the tranni and rear. So here's what I'm thinking:

MPH forged short-block w/ ported heads, blower cams, and paxton or vortech sc running a conservative tune. Would I be able to crank this set-up to about 500rwhp later on?

HMMMMM turning the boost up and down on the fly here you go, as for 500hp yep and more whatever you want a turbo gots. http://www.hellionpowersystems.com

As far as tranny issues, try for a T56 swap and good clutch if you know how to drive it will last forever. Rear end no biggie put a carrier and 31 axles on, thats pretty cheap. Motor wise MPH shortblock or MMR. Get turbo cams, port the heads and you got a roll racing machine and with a 2 step it wont be to slow from a dig either.


PREPARE TO WASTE ALOT OF MONEY

 

[Skidzz]

Actually, I do plan to drag race, I just plan on running street tires until I beef up the rear.