fork

Auto is stronger and cheaper in most cases a new good manual is gonna be probaby 2k and you need a good clutch probaby 3-400. keep the auto and get a higher stall torque convertor. I can't tell what year that is but they switch from "speed density" ( map sensor I think) to mass air in like 88 I believ so yeah run a bigger mass air calibrated for bigger injectors and put it before the turbo. and put good subframe connectors on the thing because I've seen some that are really shitty.

N1ghtM0nkey

Yeah I agree that GT hatches are ugly as sin, I hate the body kit on it. I like the way regular hatches look, I really liked the way my old one looked. The price on this one is right, that's why I want it.

I was thinking about it last night though, and since I'm getting ready to start college courses and move into an apartment I don't know if buying this car would be a good idea or not. On top of having to fabricate a turbo kit I'll have to swap out the transmission to get the car where I want it.

I'm thinking about just putting a little bit of money into my CRX to get it boosted, but I don't think I'll be able to keep up with my buddy who's got a '88 or '89 GT exactly like the one pictured above except a lot nicer and blue. He's got a 331 or 347 stroker in it with a set of heads and all the other goodies that goes along with that. If I had to guess it's probably a mid-high 12 second car, and he's getting ready to supercharge it.

I'm also thinking about a 351W + a HMT setup and just leaving the auto transmission in there....would that be viable?

Also the car is an '88, not sure if it's speed density or MAF.

Alex in Houston

88 non California models are speed density (though most have been changed to mass air since it's a pretty easy process).

T-5's are not that weak. I ran 460 ft/lbs through one for over a year (torque is the determing factor for a tranny NOT horsepower) Don't powershift or use sticky tires and they'll last for a good while (on a wing and a prayer). I have a Tremec 3550 in the car now. It has a few upgraded clusters and stronger forks (local guy builds them and he knows what he's doing) and it's been fine. Got the tranny and all needed items for under 1G.

6 Speeds are useless marketing hype. I just bought an 06 GTO and it has a 6 speed manual. For the life of me, I can't figure out why in the world you'd ever use 5th gear I drive 1-2-4-6 90% of the time. The other 10 percent I use third gear and go 1-3-4-6. A 5 speed would work just as effectively but I guess they (GM) needed some marketing hype to go with Ford and the 6 speed in the Cobra

Oh yeah, the AOD is a crap box at best! Talk about blowing them up stock, easily accomplished! Now drop about $2500 in one (Art Carr, Trans King ) and you'll have a GREAT tranny. But as Ford sent them out, NO.
You're contemplating putting a Windsor and a hair dryer (or 2 ) in front of one..................KABOOM the moment the car makes boost!
Speaking of that, if you're going to school, moving into a new apartment and all the the other things that come into the life of a student. Keep the little CRX. It takes cash to go fast, especailly when modifying a 20 year old car. The motor/electronics are very responsive to boost BUT EVERY single item in the car will need to be upgraded/changed to handle it! 25 years ago, when Ford was designing the Fuel injected Fox Bodies, they had no idea it would one day be adorned with all the after market goodies that are present today. They were simply designing a car that could go fast band pass the new Federal Emissions mandates (which was a huge ordeal 30 years ago) They succeeded and actually saved the "performance market" if you will.
Some of you here may be too young to remember the horrible cars the Big 3 were producing in the late 70's / early 80's when new smog laws were mandated. The horrible 4.9 Turbo Trans Am. The 150 hp v-8 Monte SS. The Cross Fire Vette. And Fords horrible Mustang II.............All were passed off as sports cars! Ford's fuel injection program had improved vastly in 4 years (leading to the EEC-IV) and the 302 with SEFI was born in 87. It lit the street scene up. Cheap, fast and parts didn't fall off (ala IROC Z and Trans Am) . Got good gas mileage and could pass the Federal Emissions standards. Ford made the Mustang fast and cheap as possible. So that meant nothing more then neccessary was used to build the car. Thus you have a bunch of 250HP parts in a car that put out 225 from the factory. Simple economics and you have to remember that when building or contemplating building up such a vehicle.

J-SMITH69

my car still has the aode and ive seen some people run decent times with them. i dont think its quite as bad as you putting. even though the stock aod ARE garbage.

N1ghtM0nkey

Well I went and rode in the car today. He says it has an aftermarket torque converter and a shift kit...it shifts hard as ---- but the car really isn't that fast. I think for $1800 I'm going to buy it and keep both cars, so that I'm never without a car to drive.

Do the 351W motors have the same problem as the 302 as far as splitting blocks go? I've pretty much accepted that I'm going to have to spend about $2 grand on a transmission but I'd like to get the motor done first. Right now I'm considering a 351W and a HMT kit or a supercharger. I just have to decide if I'm going to work on the CRX or the Mustang.

mike94se

Work the Mustang. It'll be faster for less, and keep the Rex for MPGs. Besides, Chicago cops hate loud 4's

EDIT: Also saw this http://chicago.craigslist.org/nch/car/200221966.html. Dunno if that's what you want

J-SMITH69

what is wrong with the 302? if you're going forced induction i think you will be able to get plenty of power out of the 302, even if you have to buy a set of heads.

but if you're willing to spend the money 351 block is stronger, but the 5.0HO has forged alum trw pistons. unless you put them in the 351 is going to have forged steel rods and cast iron pistons.

N1ghtM0nkey

The whole reason behind going to a 351 is because my friend has like a 331 or 347 stroker and I want to blow his *** out of the water. It's got a set of heads on it and according to him everything's been worked inside the motor. If I had to guess it's probably a 12 second car.

J-SMITH69

so what. my all stock 5.0ho is a 12 second car at 6-7psi.

there are people running 9s stock shortblock with 5.0HO motors.

you will dust the shitout of his car if you have a good turbo setup on your stock motor, a good setup and some aftermarket heads and you'll destory him

N1ghtM0nkey

Sounds good to me, the motor sounded healthy when he took me for a spin earlier. What kind of heads would you reccomend? I've heard good things about trickflow.

Also about management on my HMT setup, will a calibrated MAF and bigger injectors really be all that I'll need?