performance modifications

[dana]

I have a fms 392 stroker.
What can I do to get more horses out of it?
It is getting cold and I would like to decide what to do to it so I can get it done when it is snowing.
Any suggestions?

[Cobra20646]

Dana,
Maybe if you could tell us how your motor is built up now, we could have a base on which to suggest improvements.
I see you already have nitrous, so whatever HP increase your looking to gain might necessitate an engine swap to one with many more cubic inches!
- Jim -

[Terry Brown]

The AFR 185 heads have been dyno'd to add about 80 HP.

[Sonny]

for a street car. a sb costs bucks to squeeze horsepower out of it. in reality, that feel of "seat/ force power" equals application of torque and horsepower into the same smooth curve, most of the time only thru a big block, unless you want to throw huge sums at it. in any form horsepower equals dollars as we know, but that rush, surge of power, and sound is caught up in a big block, not a high revving small block. most cobra owners want them to scream on the street, i would visit the traction area first, then go to the motor for more hp. a super seven is good witness to this, almost perfect traction with 200 hp will pop out a 4.0 to 60 mph each time, they really hook up, is the real reason not the hp.

[Andy Dunn]

you may or may not be doing some or all of these but they are fuel for thought

1. DAY AT DYNO
probably the best money anyone can spend for HP. get your car and engine dialed in.

2. HEADS
the big three for HP seem to be
Edelbrock Victor Jr
AFR 185 and 205
Trickflow Twisted Wedge and -R

3. HEADERS
often overlooked. custom headers can make a big difference. Equal length, custom bent, proper diameter.

4. SIDEPIPE
what is your ID and OD. it seems that highest dyno levels on the strokers are coming with a 3" ID and 4" OD. some have even gone to higher IDs. Glass packs seem to be outdoing turbo swirls from historical posts.

test test test

hope this helps

Andy

[Chad Johnson]

Dana,

I you are serious about running nitos ------------ pour it to it! I have a friend that runs IHRA Top Sportsman with a chevy small block that will turn 190 MPH in the quarter. He plans to get to 200MPH by increasing the amount of nitros, continuing to decrease the timing and watching cylinder temperatures to avoid burning pistons

[dana]

I had assumed the easiest mods would be to start with the heads.
I am still having trouble with my ford distributer. I am taking it out and putting in a MSD to match up with the coil and ignition.
Then off to the DYNO to dial in.
Off with the old heads and on with the new, or port the existing.
I think the existing are gt40 heads, my mechanic is looking into whether it is best to buy new aluminum heads,he recommended the AFR or Canfields, or porting mine.
If I buy new is there a market for my 'old' heads, 1200 miles old, or not?
Anyone know, AFR 185 or 205? The 205 is a racing head and looks to be a better fit for the 392.
Input anyone?
Thanx
Dana

[hound dog]

Dana,
With the 392 stroker you're very near the "big block" as far as cubic inches go. The GT40 and AFR 185 heads are slanted toward the 302/351 size engines. You'll be happier with the AFR 205 heads. For mine, I went with the Victor jr. heads and intake and don't feel bad about it at all! If you're still not happy, then your next choice would be a good stout roller cam.
h dog

[Jack21]

As Hound Dog mentioned, SBF heads are aimed at 302/351 size motors and work well.

As you approach and pass 400 ci in a "Small" block, the 2.02/1.60 valves start showing their breathing limitations. One of the things we Ford Guys have in our favor over the competition is better breathing heads. Small block Chevy stroker guys with 383's and 406's would give their left nut to have a set of big block, big valve, canted valve heads to use. Well, we Ford guys do. On a Chevy they're not interchangable, on a Ford, they are.

351 Cleveland 4 barrel heads start showing performance improvements as RPM or displacement goes up. And they bolt right on to Windsor motors. Granted, there are other modifications that need to be made, but the circle track guys use this setup. Run some numbers on your 393 with 2.19/1.73 valves on Dyno 2000 and you'll see 500 - 550 HP.

Blue Thunder is now making aluminum versions of these heads with the problems inherent in the vintage Cleveland heads addressed. Coast High Performance and Ford Performance Solutions have the Blue Thunder Cleveland heads.