Should I sell my blower and go to a H/C/I combo?

[Nasssty]

I am looking for some input on what I should do with my mustang this year. I havent had it running right for about two summers now and I think its time to spend some money and get it running right again.

I am not sure what I did but my second pass at CFR with the blower didnt take kindly to the motor when I missed a shift. When I pulled the valve covers off one of the rocker arms was loose. I retorqued down the stud then readjusted all the rockers but its still having valve train issues.

Now the motor has easily over 150k on it so I know its time to be replaced. What I am trying to debate is to sell the vortech A-trim I have and associated parts and go with a head/cam/intake combo or should I keep the blower. I am at the point that if I have around 300 reliabel HP I am happy.

I think I am leaning towards the H/C/I direction because its the simplier setup and probably lower maintence. I would also like to keep this under 4-5 grand if possible. Will probably have to find a shop to do the work seeing as I don't have the stuff to swap a motor in my garage so any recommendations?

Any input is greatly appreciated.

[mnstang]

yeah, the h/c/i will be more reliable, consistent, simpler, and less maintenance. i would definitely go N/A

[OrangeCrush 86]

If you want 300 go NA. How much for the SC if you sell it?

[Nasssty]

If I sell the blower it will be in the 1000-1100 range which include all the normal a-trim stuff, the aluminum vortech discharge tube, AFM power pipe and a 3.12 8 rib pulley.

[TRDon]

I have a 11lb blown car I have little fear of reliability and it makes 360/370. I still have stock heads and cam. NA is prolly a better alll around driver setup although I dont have any problems. It will cost you to do it though. You have the blower now but you can prolly set it up a little better or suppliment some parts for it and make it better now. Kind just how you want to go with it. I know the TF top end kit is a easy, cheap pretty quality way to get near the 300 mark, but you will need more than just that to make the 300 number from what I have read.

[Nasssty]

I am kind of on the fence on selling the blower or not.
Trying to decide whether to keep the blower and use this ford motorsport crate engine or sell the blower and find a reputable shop together a 331 with TFS or AFR heads.

[mnstang]

do the stroker if you can afford it! it'll have alot more instant torque. plus it's lighter than the blower combo, less clutter under the hood, less heat, easier to work on. it can get expensive though..


plus, that crate motor has hypercraptastic pistons which are not ideal for superduperchargers

[Nasssty]

If I sell the blower, I should have around 5k to spend with a 500-1000 dollar reserve for those unexpected items that always seem to come up. Not sure if thats enough to do a decent 331 or not. I know you can get a SCAT 331 kit from ADPermance for around 1k but not sure what the rest would cost.

[TurboX2]

this ford motorsport crate engine

You can probably refresh your shortblock (new rings/bearings) for around $500, so are half-ass GT-40 aluminum heads and a B303 worth the other $2700? Plus, the crate engine will have hypereutectic pistons.


You can do a h/c/i setup on your car for around $2500, minus the $1000-1100 selling the blower. With a $4000-5000 budget you'd easily be able to put a 331 in your current block too, only takes about $1600 total with one of the kits from AD.

Something to consider.... If you don't do the stroker the blower you have will make a faster combo than the typical h/c/i setup, just find someone to straighten it out for you and put a good tune on it. If you have the money and want to spend it, do the stroker, but I would assume there's other areas of the car that would greatly benefit from that money too?

[Ford Fan]

Probably bent a couple valves. They like to kiss pistons at that kind of rpm.

[Nasssty]

I broke down and took it to the local performance shop cause I was tired of it broken and in my garage. Found out today that I bent a pushrod. They order a set of hardened ones. Probably should of put hardened ones in when I put in the adjustable rockers.

[87lxmustang]

I broke down and took it to the local performance shop cause I was tired of it broken and in my garage. Found out today that I bent a pushrod. They order a set of hardened ones. Probably should of put hardened ones in when I put in the adjustable rockers.

Bent pushrod = possible bent valve?? Be sure you do either a leak down or compression test when repaired.