302 blower questions......

[cscott67]

Hello all! I have a 5.0 ffr, and need some advice on a supercharger/blower for this app. I am not a ford nut, and don't want to kill the motor applying too much power to it. There are several companies out there, and I am looking at using the Holley Systemax kit, and a Paxton on it to get the H.P. and torque over 400!
Anyone have any ideas or tried this set-up? Also, is there an aluminum block made for the 302,or 351 motor? Last, what are the bad points of the T-5 tranny, and can it be upgraded to handle that kind of power, or should I just buy another tranny?

Any help would be greatly appreciated, Scott

[Back in Black]

You don't want to put a supercharger on a tired motor, OR tranny, nosir !

I am not a super/turbo expert by a long shot, but it will put some real stress on your system. Do you have a standard Jag rear end? How many miles? What condition? Even if in great shape, I hear 400 horsepower is the outer limits (won't last long even at that, from what I hear) There is a new 9 inch Ford differential/ Highly modified Jag IRS out there, I once posted it but lost it...I think it is on the ERA site. I highly recommend that you consider every aspect of your drivetrain before you just boost power. Consider your brakes too...upgrade as needed.

[Jason Lee Nye]

Curious though what is a safe max horsepower for a 302 to keep the reliability of it.

My little stock 302 is fast enough for me now, but I assume that the more I drive the faster I will want it.

[cscott67]

For those about to rock!!!! There are less than 20,000 0n the motor, and if it pukes, I'll sell the ford stuff, and put the aluminum small block chevy in it! ;o) As for the rear, solid axle 8.8. (We'll see how long that lasts........ Anyone know anything about the T-5 tranny?

[Kevin]

Between me and all my buddies we have had probably 10 different supercharger combo's on the 302 between 300hp and 1000 . If you are in the smaller no. and you want to run the t-5 it will work as long as you DO NOT SPEED SHIFT IT that trans will work with the power pretty well. If you want to race it , take the T5 out, and go with something else. My 2 cents. Kevin

[cscott67]

Kevin, any particular kit work well for about 450-500H.P.? And what tranny do you reccomend for that level? Money is not an issue, just reliability and ease of installation/clearance in an ffr kit. Any advice is appreciated.

[Jason Lee Nye]

Kevin,

I can't imagine a 1000 hp 302! Is it possible or am I just reading the reply wrong? If it is possible, does it still fit under the hood? I still want to be able to recognize my Cobra.

[MRITTER]

I have a Tremec 3550 in my twin-turbo FFR and so far, so good. Third gear in the T5 just won't hold up to the torque of a 500 hp engine. What saves 1st and 2nd is wheelspin. And like Kevin says - you can't speed shift a T5 and expect it to last long.

My .02.

Mike

[cscott67]

Do you guyz mean shifting above 3-4000rpm or no-clutch shifting? Or are you saying it won't engage and dis-engage quickly at high rpm without damage? Also, how much does the tremec cost roughly?

[Double Venom]

CS

The Tremac R, around $1,500 clutch and all has never given us a problem, from 400 hp 302's all the way up to the SVO 460's.

And, we speed shift them at will---using the clutch. As far as the 8.8 goes, likewise. If you really want to beef up the 8.8 put one of the new covers on with the "support" ribs. You have to remember most of you aren't pushing a 3,000 lb car here.

I'll bet I hold the record for the most destroyed rear ends than anyone here! But, that's a whole different snake!

Here's our latest 400 plus HP 302


DV

[Jason Lee Nye]

I know it is a dumb question but I am not an engine expert. What is added or changed to get a 400 hp 302? Please don't tell me everything!

[Double Venom]

Jason,

EFI or Carb'd?

But...heads, carb, or throttle boy, intake, injectors, ignition, cam/valve train---super charger / turbo charger, etc., etc

Then you can get real serious. Pistons, cam, crank, serious rebuilt or modified heads, stroke kits, etc. Then.. you can always add NOS!

DV

[Kevin]

Well guys first on the hp and trans question. If I were going to build a 400 hp engine and never put a slick on the car I think you could run the t5 what hurts the t5 is mostly the 2-3 shift at high rpms you can not bang the gears very long before you break shift forks or gears. If I were going to make 500 hp and put in a 5 speed, go tremec , it is the most popular replacement in all mustangs and if you want more go tko or tko2. Im not sure if all you guys were mustang guys like me before the Cobra craize I'm in now but you can learn a lot from Muscle Mustang Mag. or even the Race Pages Mag. Great stuff for racing Fords. And yes 1000 hp sbf 's exist but they cost a lot of money and they are usually not what you would want in a normal car even the Cobra. Heads Heads Heads , thats were you get the big HP get a great set of heads and build the motor around them for what you want streetable stuff like 9.5 or 10 to 1 comp. nice cam and the key is to get all the right stuff to go around it like ignition, exhaust, proper size intake and carb or intake and fuel inj. and just put on a Vortech or Paxton or any other Blower and it will be a lot to handle in a 2300 lb car. with a radial tire. Kevin

[COBRA9268]

Well i will have to agree with almost everyone, here is my experence w/a vortech. Good heads, good heads, good heads, and have work done to them. Even if you just abrasive roll them on the exhaust side, its well worth the effort. Most important fuel!The system with a FMU is ok but ditch that and run bigger injectors and an air adjuster for the fine tuning, watch the air fuel meter . 8-10 lbs for the street is a wild feeling on the street, and for all you guys picking on so called slush- o- maticks take a good look at LENTECH AUTOS INC . I have one in my cobra and simply love it. Started with a 3500 converter and 4.10 rears, brainless AOD, ill tell you what, while you guys are screwing around shifting and clutching ill be pulling away with a click click and im gone. No wheel hop or broken anything, and im in the 430 to 450 hp range.Good luck and remember, whatever kind of cobra you build and combo you have, the car is yours and dont let people tell you your doing it wrong..................................

[Terry]

I'm currently running a Vortech S trim with 8 lbs of boost. Ring grooved Edelbrock heads that have been ported with 2.20 valves , 1.73 rockers, a ported truck lower, a Vortech Saleen upper with a 65 thr body, 77 mass air, 36 lb inj, MSD 6 al, 255 in tank, I have a stock short block right down the the cam, and a paxton fuel reg. I make a dynoed 420 to the rear wheels. I still have the stock T5 but do not speed shift it. I tore the clutchs up in the 3.55 rear and went to an Aburn locker with 31 spline axles in the 8.8. I am moving up to a 12 lb pulley and should make over 500.

[mikief]

Also running an S-trim but into a 347. I'm pretty much cammed to the max, TFS heads, GT-40 upper, 80mm MAF, 42# squirters, and prog ECU. I dynoed a couple weeks back with T/A's ( considerable slippage) at 434 rwhp. Had the laptop hooked up and much to my surprise the 42's maxed out! He didn't have wide band O2 so couldn't tune. Will leave fuel map stock for now. Also showed over 1100 kg air at 6500 thru a 65mm TB!

[Kevin]

Terry- sounds like you are getting up there Beware of boost and Timing , do not go too high on the boost with out better fuel and slowly increase timing , burning up a motor is not very pleasant.
Mikief- you are making some good power if you are maxing out 42#ers I ran 10.20 with a 302 and VR4 with 42s in a Mustang. That car is now maxed with 72 #ers Now its time for 96ers. Gotta keep upgrading parts if you want to compete.
I like the way an S-trim Vortec sounds good luck both of you. Keep on Racing .. Kevin