Guest thevodka Posted January 25, 2005 Share Posted January 25, 2005 After thinking about it for awhile, and realizing how light and small the engine is, I decided to go with a 302 or 302 stroker for my 240z project. I'm hoping it will weigh in at around 2k-2100 lbs curb weight counting the motor/trans (if its unrealistic, just tell me, I'm fairly new to the Z game), as it will be fully stripped and have basically every part changed to fiberglass (hood, doors, hatch, 1/4 panel, fenders, bumpers) with a rollcage, race seats, fuel cell and a good bunch more stiffness mods. Now for the questions. 1. My goals are to run low 11's on street tires in this car (it will be driven on the streets occasionally, though its main purpose is road racing, which I think a 302 with aluminium heads will be pretty good for.) How much hp and torque (flywheel or rwhp, you choice, I'll assume about 15% drivetrain loss) will I need to get to that goal, and would a 331 or 347 stroker be better than a 302 or 306 for the money. 2. I have a feeling, from what I've been reading that the T5 won't be able to handle that kind of power. I'm wondering what tranny would and still be light (I really don't want a T56, weighs about 80 lb more, and low weight is a huge goal moreso than speed.) Would the Ford Motorsports T5-z with cryo'd and shotpeened gears do the trick for that application. 3. For this, I've been thinking about getting a crate engine or longblock, something fresh that won't be problematic, preferably from a local shop in Southern California. Any place you guys personally recommend to get an engine with the power that I want for a good price? Also, I'm planning to run it carburated (cheaper, don't care about gas efficiency since it won't be a daily driver,) which carb would you recommend. Overall, I don't want a motor with a seriously lumpy idle, I want it to be fairly smooth feeling and sounding, and if that costs a bit more in parts, so be it. 4. For mounting the transmission, is alsil's crossmember the best choice, or using the stock xmember with new mounting points like 74.5 347Z suggested? Any other suggestions for a 240z ford n00b would be helpful, as I've been reading up and searching more than trial and error, and there's still a whole bunch I don't know Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest thevodka Posted January 26, 2005 Share Posted January 26, 2005 Anyone? OK, I know now that I put the weight a little high. Around 2150-2250 would be fairly ideal with a 302 or 302 stroker with those mods in question. One n00b part down, the rest to go. I also have a feeling that alsil's is the best choice, so I answered my own question right there. As for the tranny, I saw a link about g-force t5 transmissions, and the price isn't too bad for one that I believe can handle the power, as well as being popular with the ford guys, but is it the best choice for the money regarding my application? Thanx in advance for ur help Boris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Phil1934 Posted January 26, 2005 Share Posted January 26, 2005 You are optimistic on weight. The SBC cars are around 2700. Ford might be 50# less and aluminum heads cut another 40#. I just did a SBF for a worker with AFR heads and a stroker kit from the internet. Hopefully get a little time this week to fire it up. You'll get a better deal than a crate if you find a good machinist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueovalz Posted January 26, 2005 Share Posted January 26, 2005 Your second post on weight is much more realistic. I went with a full fiberglass body (front clip, doors, quarters-which added weight, and hatch), removed every light, hinge, bracket, tab, and screw that was not necessary (seriously gutted), lexan rear windows, aluminum heads, flywheel, seat, WC T-5, and cell. With a legal cage the car weighed in at 2160 lbs. I could have perhaps lost another 30 lbs with a different choice of rotors and calipers and windshield. The best cam I ever had for many years (decades) was the old original Ford LeMans cam. Awesome broad torque curve! Every time I tried another cam, I always ended up going back to the LeMans. Only recently have I found another cam I like better, and it is a (mild by roller standards) solid roller designed by Ultradyne. My motor is a 289 (it was a 302), but either way, I never had any problems with the WC T-5 close ratio tranny. Obviously this motor is not a stump puller, but is puts out about 375HP reliably. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferd/289 Posted January 28, 2005 Share Posted January 28, 2005 FWIW,,If I were buying an engine, I would compare warrenty's. IE, Usually machinists do not give a warrenty. Some crate motors do as well as local engine rebuilders may also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 240z Posted February 14, 2005 Share Posted February 14, 2005 I have a firewall back backhalf car with a iron svo block and bf202 neal heads,33-10.5w tires car wieghs under 2200# pounds with driver.anybody lighter? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.