been doing some research think I have planned a decent (250-275 hp) build up


heres what i'm thinking...correct me if you see any flaws
170- stock
+ 5-open element
15-headers
15-2.5" ypipe, 3"cat and 3" catback
15-intake manifold
15-underdrive pulley kit
_______
235
+30-lt1 cam(may have shop install and tune accordingly) _______
265hp ???tq(someone wanna make a good guess, its 255 stock)

not power related but important.....
4th gen rear - with posi and 3.42's(shop installed and calibrate speedo accordingly)

any idea what i'd run
be able to run with 99+Stang Gt's?

 

It doesn't quite add like that. You may get 15hp on a complete exhaust from headers to tips, but probably not 30. Why a 2.5" y-pipe and which brand? The underdrive pulleys are not worth the money. Fast355, previously stated that the factory manifold with a little touch up does not become a restriction until 300hp. So I would definitely start looking at chip tuning and lt1 cam, after you do an air intake mod and exhaust.
All you are looking for is a mid 14 second pass to stay with stock 2v 4.6 auto mustangs.

 

Don't always believe what is advertised. You've got a nice mod list, but all of that stuff won't add up even close to 265HP @ the wheels. Figure it like this: The LO3 is a 170HP motor, stock. But remember, that rating was at the crank, and when the motor was brand new. The motor is now obviously at least several years old, it has worn down and lost some power. So you're probably right around 130ish at the wheels.

I've already been there, done that. My old LO3 powered 92 RS was decently built and I could not keep up with my wife's stock automatic 2002 WRX, and my car was a 5 spd manual. The motor only had 70K on it, and it had an LT1 Cam with new springs, 081 TPI heads, Turbo City Injector Spacer, Edelbrock Open Element air cleaner, Full exhaust (headers, y-pipe, catback w/ muffler), and a custom tune.

Don't get discouraged, just do what you've got planned and be happy with it, and then dyno it and let us know the results. Just remember, if you do all of that stuff, it's a lot better compared to stock, it will feel like a whole new car (especially when it's tuned).

BTW, if you didn't know, stock gears on your car are 2.73 if you've got an auto trans.

 

thanks. yeah im only looking to run approx 250+ at the crank. i'd be fine running with 99+ 4.6l stang gt's(those gt's rated at the crank or wheels?). Large limiting factor is emissions here and i'm only learning(don't wanna spend a ton on gas). so i'll go ahead and do the exhaust, open element. have shop do lt1 cam and tune accordingly. i'll probably be able to install a 4th gen 3.42 posi rear. my main goal is to build a quick, fun, fuel efficient vehicle retaining much of my stock equipment. also can't find 3" y pipe that I can bolt/clamp on.

 

and thats why i wont touch my lo3 , leaving it stock , saving up for a nicer new camaro

 

I'm not real sure why you would want to spend 400$ or more to tune around your 30$ cam.

A custom tune by a shop is going to cost mucho dollars, and finding a shop that knows what they are doing with a TBI engine is going to be next to impossible. If a shop says they can tune a TBI engine ask them where they got their info to do so, if they don't say thirdgen.org walk away because this is the ONLY place on the planet to get TBI specific help and tuning information. A lot of shops just crank on the FP and timing and say they "tuned" it.

Take a look at what Fast355 has done, he has put together some very good performing LO3's, if you take the time to convert his 1/4 mile times down to a 3400 lb car (he runs a 4500lb van) you'll see that it's not that hard to get into the mid to low 14's with an LO3.

Just keep in mind the secret to power is in the chip, and the ONLY way to tune it correctly is with DIY tuning.

 

Yep, except the 1983 G20 Conversion that I ran my first L03 in weighs 5,300 lbs + me (225). So it weighed in at around 5,500 lbs when running down the track. It also had 3.08 gears with nearly worthless 255/70/R15 tires at the time.

With a .040" over 305, Ported 081 TPI 305 heads, stock 305 HO cam, 1 5/8" primary headers, duals, stock TBI intake cleaned up, with a 1" thick open center spacer, 454 TBI unit, and DIY tuning, it ran a best of 15.6 @ 88 mph with a 2.3ish second 60'. 2,000 rpm stalled 700r4 with 3.08 gears. 5,500 lbs race weight.

 

To be honest with you, the 99+ Mustangs are actually where they started going somewhere again. With just a catback and a 5 spd, a 99-04 Mustang beat my wife's WRX from a dig by at least 1 and half car lengths. And if you recall, she did beat my LT1 cammed 305 TBI, so that tells you something right there. With the setup you're planning on doing, I'd say you'd probably have better luck pouncing on the pre 1998 Stangs unless you run into a 99+ that has a terrible driver. I'm not big into Ford's obviously, but I'd say the 99-04 4.6L Mustangs do around 230ish, maybe 240HP at the wheels. They are rated at 260HP from the factory. I highly doubt that what they are rated at on their window sticker is how much they make to the wheels. I only know of a few cars that do that.

I feel your pain on the emissions part. I'm in Cali. If you want to keep it simple, stick to the plan you just posted. You will definately achieve your goal. Great gas mileage + very fun to drive = A perfect daily driver. Remember you can always beef up your suspension and carve some corners also, these cars aren't just for a straight line.

BTW, for the tune, take Monte's advice and don't let anyone touch your car unless their info is from thirdgen.org as already said. The best way to do it is tune the car yourself, you can get more info on that by checking out the DIY PROM section here. Read up on it, and if you feel it's just something you are completely unfamiliar with, my advice to you at that point would be to order a pre tuned chip from before letting anyone do any tuning to the car. I don't even tune my own car, but I have friends locally that get all of their experience from hands on work with these cars and motors all day long, and from this website.

To get a pre tuned chip for you car, check out TBIchips.com and call him and tell him you have a 305 TBI Camaro, and let him know the year. Tell him your mods and let him you know want a pre tuned chip for a 305 TBI Camaro with an LT1 cam. It's not a custom tune to YOUR car but it will make your car run a lot better compared to stock. Your next option is to buy a cable and hook it up to your car with a laptop and the datalogging program, drive the car around and log the car's activity and you can then send that to TBI Chips. That's about as much custom of a tune you'll get without doing it yourself. Talk to him about it. I believe his name is Brian.