Engine build advice

[MadJack]

This winter im goin to be building a 5.0 out of a markvii. I kknow it needs a rebuild so ill bore it out as nessesary and probly make it into a 306ci.
i will be picking up some iron gt40, or gt40p heads.
it will be carbed, 4bbl intake.
not looking to boost it, so stock cast crank, forged rods, new forged pistons .
id like to upgrade to a new cam and rockers .
im looking for low to mid range power. Some thing I can cruise with but still be decent at the track.
what is your guys suggestions?
also it will have an 4r70w behind it.

[5.0stang85]

What compression ratio you shooting for? .030" over is a 306.


1. GT40 heads NEED valve springs the stockers suck even on a stock engine
2. For the price of a new off the shelf cam I would spend the little extra and get a custom one from Ed Curtis @FTI or one of the other good cam grinders - I plan to go to a Anderson grind next summer while refreshing my heads - I have a F303 right now and it sounds stockish at idle but screams above 2900rpm yet is totally drivable down low
3. Air Gap intake and a 1" open phenolic spacer with it
4. 650-700cfm carb
5. you probably won't need forged rods either being under the 400hp mark but that is up to you..
6. with the OD automatic I would use 4.10 gears and a 27"+ tire (255/60/15 or 275/60/15)

[MINNESOTA 5.0]

I WILL HAVE A NICE 306 long block with edelbrock heads if your interested in a long block. has arp fasteners and hyper flat tops with moly rings.
cam choice is up to you.

let me know.

[5.0stang85]

I WILL HAVE A NICE 306 long block with edelbrock heads if your interested in a long block. has arp fasteners and hyper flat tops with moly rings.
cam choice is up to you.

let me know.

depending how much this is the route I'd go aluminum heads are a dyno proven 60hp gain over factory iron heads

[MadJack]

Id like to have a higher compression ratio..

Im mainly looking to build a solid bottom end.if a forged crank was in the budget then I would buy it.

[Notch]

Dont fuck around with building a shortblock. Buy an explorer longblock, stick a TFS1 cam in it, throw a Performer RPM or Air Gap intake on it with a 600-650 Holley and youre done. Stout mild street engine without spending money on frivolous non essentials.

[taank]

and dont listen to a word lego tard says

[MadJack]

Dont fuck around with building a shortblock. Buy an explorer longblock, stick a TFS1 cam in it, throw a Performer RPM or Air Gap intake on it with a 600-650 Holley and youre done. Stout mild street engine without spending money on frivolous non essentials.

What year did they switch over to the gt40p heads?also. With the exploder block I can take off the block plate for the dist and throw a dist in?(well not throw lol but set in) thx notch

[Notch]

What year did they switch over to the gt40p heads?also. With the exploder block I can take off the block plate for the dist and throw a dist in?(well not throw lol but set in) thx notch

IIRC it was 1997 or so they switched. Both the P and non P heads are good. And yes, remove the block plate and drop steel gear dizzy in and youre good to go.

[MadJack]

Kool thx where would be a good place to take the heads for port and polish work and rebuild of course.

[5.0stang85]

I will add you need a 85 Mustang 5.0 5 speed distributor- the steel gear has a smooth finish above the teeth to it unlike the cast gear which looks grainy above the teeth the reman dizzys are hit and miss so make sure you get the right one or you'll chew up a dizzy gear

Fuck you Taank my other post was valid... as this one is too

[TitaniumGT]

Dont waste the money on an ed curtis cam for a budget build. There are plenty of cams off the shelf that will work well

[MadJack]

I will add you need a 85 Mustang 5.0 5 speed distributor- the steel gear has a smooth finish above the teeth to it unlike the cast gear which looks grainy above the teeth the reman dizzys are hit and miss so make sure you get the right one or you'll chew up a dizzy gear

Fuck you Taank my other post was valid... as this one is too

Or I can go not cheap ass and get a good.distributer

[MadJack]

Dont waste the money on an ed curtis cam for a budget build. There are plenty of cams off the shelf that will work well

Would you suggest the tfs1 cam also?

[TitaniumGT]

Would you suggest the tfs1 cam also?

I hear those work well. I'm all for the explorer motor also. Maybe skip the head work too. Just find a cheap set of aluminum heads down the road.