MikeysGT First Build Thread

mikeysgt

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Guess it's time for me to move onto a new direction with the car. I'll use this thread to document everything and ask for your help since I've never done a build like this. In the end I plan on finally completing my car the way I imagined it since day one.

Little background - bought a v6 in February 2005. Had it exactly 1 year and traded it in for this car in feb 2006 knowing I would probably never reach my goals without the power of a v8. Never knew anything about working on Cars except basic oil changes but have always love the old school 60's mustangs. The moment I seen the 05's i knew i would own one. Somehow ended up finding out about forums while doing a search. Came across dons car and marks car on another forum and knew I wanted to go fast. Really fast. Spent some cash on basic bolt on's and some exterior mods. It wasn't until me and my buddy hit the track for the first time in 2008 that I really got into modding for the track. First pass ever I ran a 14.0 all stock except for the 4.10's. That night I saw my first s197 head down the track at Famoso. A silver car running 10's on a whipple. Come to find out it was Paul out on the track that night. After spending most of my time and money working on the car, plus a lot of Help from you guys I ended up with a best et that's in my sig a year later on the stock block and converter.


I always envisioned my car as a daily driven, car show winning, track monster. Pretty much did everything I planned except never got it to go as fast as I wanted. Nitrous being my friend at the track, but never on the street I decided it was time to quit while I was ahead and before it was too late. Ended up selling the nitrous kit recently and bought a used block from Ed(silverpoison) and picked up the heads, cams, timing chain, pullies, and a few extra parts from Paul(Psfracer) a few days ago so I can start collecting pieces for a build of my own.

I've been reading a bunch of the build threads here trying to knowledge myself and also learning from some of you here through pm's as well. I've never dug into a motor except for putting on some delete plates a couple year ago. I've tried to do as much of the work on my car on my own as much as possible. Have a great mechanic here locally who did most of my suspension work as well as the driveshaft and gears. Also met a really good tuner that will be doing the tuning on my car once the build is complete. I'm hoping all you guys who know more about this than I do chime in here and offer your help and knowlege along the way in case I'm doing something wrong or should be upgrading to some better part.

My goal is to build a block capable of handling around 550-600rwhp. By the time I'm done with this I'm hoping the car will become my weekend/track car. I'm 95% sure my power adder of choice will be a turbo setup. Maybe even a twin turbo setup if the right deal comes along. I'll update this thread with pictures along the way and keep it as detailed as possible. Unlike most of you I'm starting to learn the inside of the motor and how it works by reading up as much as possible. I plan to finish this motor by June of next year or hopefully sooner depending on how much funds I have left over.


This is what I've gathered so far from reading, pm's, and searching for answers. If there's any suggestions or changes you think I should make feel free to comment. If you know any part numbers for any of the parts feel free to list them as well.

• 550-600rwhp
• Twin Turbo/Single Turbo Setup
• Compression Ratio from 9.4-9.6:1 (SD)
Stroker kit? Yes or no? Right now after asking for input from sd himself I'm going with NO. If you disagree let me know why but most of the people i've seen going against SD's recommendation end up regretting it.
• Stock Heads w/ Manley SS valves (purchased from PSFRacer)
• Manley or Modmax H-Beam rods (SD)
• CP 9cc dish pistons (SD)
• Upgrade Transmission
• Upgrade Intake Manifold
• ARP 3V Main Studs / ARP Hardware
• Electric Water Pump
Melling or GT500 Oil Pump w/ billet gears
• Stock Tensioner (earlier cast iron type from 99-00 2v)
Stock Cams or Turbo grind cams?

I'll post some pics of what I have so far and the start of the build when I get home. Thanks to everyone in advance for your help along the way. Figure I'd keep all my questions here instead of starting a new thread along the way.

Keep in mind i personally have NEVER done anything like this. Every mod i've done to my car i've learned about by doing it hands on and by help from you guys. This is my fist car i've ever modded and hope this thread helps some of the guys out there who know nothing about building a motor learn without getting overwhelmed with information. I'm sorry if some of my questions along the way seem like common sense to some of you experienced builders. I'm doing this build on the side while keeping my car as a daily driver for now.


UPDATES:
Just wanted to say thanks to everyone on here who's helped along the way and also keep an updated log of parts purchased off forum members here at S197!

Ed (Silverpoison) - Shortblock w/ stock crank
Paul (PSFRacer) - Stock heads w/ Manley SS valves, pullies, water pump, timing chain,
stock cams, and misc parts
 
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Rygen

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Cool.

I've followed your threads on the forums and always been a fan of your car and what you've done with it. What are your ET goals? A 10 second street car? If so you don't need a stroker kit to do that.
 

mikeysgt

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stock block purchased from Ed
0229af65.jpg


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Stock heads with Manley SS valves purchased from Paul
9f7e2d45.jpg


4687be1d.jpg


Stock cams
19ad75db.jpg


Timing chain, pullies, lifters, followers, tensioner, water pump (some of these parts will be upgraded)
5df9b3ca.jpg
 

mikeysgt

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Cool.

I've followed your threads on the forums and always been a fan of your car and what you've done with it. What are your ET goals? A 10 second street car? If so you don't need a stroker kit to do that.

Thanks Rygen. I've always been a fan of your car as well :beer:
Your car made me wish i had kept my v6 for a while also. My goals are a low 10 second track/weekend car by the time i'm done with the build but more than likely i'll have a POS for a DD and make this car a dedicated track car if everything goes as planned.
 

Rygen

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Thanks.

My V6 is long gone. But for your goals you can do it on a single turbo without a stroker. For CR, I like your choice, will make a turbo more manageable at the line. You can hit your goals with a single turbo just fine, just make sure its sized properly. I'd do 60lb injectors and GT500 pump setup.
 

mikeysgt

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Thanks.

My V6 is long gone. But for your goals you can do it on a single turbo without a stroker. For CR, I like your choice, will make a turbo more manageable at the line. You can hit your goals with a single turbo just fine, just make sure its sized properly. I'd do 60lb injectors and GT500 pump setup.

:thumb:
 

GrnBullitt08

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Nice...goodluck with build. And since you have a garage of your own now, the biggest thing is to take your time with it and make sure everything is right the first time around. Subscribed.
 

mikeysgt

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believe me, i'm going to take my time. ive seen too many threads of builds gone wrong so i'm gonig to be very precautious and try to build a block capable of handling more power than i want to push through it.

since i'm set on the turbo/twin setup i'm going to be uninstalling the ARH longtube setup in a month or two and sell that off. Going to use that money to buy more parts for this build. SD's car is what got me thinking twins.
 

JeremyH

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Leave the heads stock unless you just want to spend an extra $2-3K for 20-30hp you can easily make on 1 lb of boost with the turbo setup, 550-600rwhp is easily acheivalbe with 12-15 lbs on stock heads.

Stock or a mild na cam or turbo grind is good, upgrade the valve springs/reainers to help handle the boost if you do cams.

Diamond or cp on the pistons sounds good there.

Frpp oil pump and tss gears is a great setup.

Anywhere from 9.0 to 9.5 is good for a turbo setup. I knew the 03/04 cobra were 8.5:1 and stock was 9.8:1 so i basicly went with the middle of the road for lower comp 9.1:1 with 15cc dimaond pistons. And am completely stasified with it, na the 9:1 setup made 330rwhp with bolt-ons and cams. And 540rwhp on 12 psi with the turbo.

+1 on no to the stroker unless you just want to say you have a 302, the power gains to price are minimal at this point on an fi setup.

Manley or modmax h-beams with arp bolts sounds good. As well as arp head studs and mains. Get some good bearings too.

Looking foward to seeing the progress on your build, good luck!
 
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silverpoison

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9.6 compression, if is for a dily driver go with a KB or Whipple, if is a weekend warrior go Twins.

ARP Hardware is a most, electric water pump, melling oil pump.....what else....if you go stroker I would do 298 CI stroker.
 

Steedman07

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Looking forward to this!! Good luck man..My time will come soon enough..In the meantime, I plan on learning a thing or two from the proven experts and their advice in this thread..:beerdrink:
 

mikeysgt

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Should be an interesting build.

Goodluck!! Should be fun!

Mike, best of luck on this man! And dude, you seriously gave a lot of helpful info in that first post. haha.

Subscribed early.

thanks guys. Wanted to give out as much info as I could on the opening post to avoid a lot more questions that would have come my way haha. it'll take a while but I think a year to finish the motor is more than enough time even if I'm taking it slow
 

mikeysgt

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Lightblade - thanks for that post! Exactly what I was wanting to hear from someone experienced.

Ed- thanks for the great deal on the block! I'm sure I'll be heading down to your shop for more parts pretty soon

Steedman- thanks. This is exactly what I wanted from my build. For people to learn for future builds. I have tons of stuff to learn but never been more excited for something in a while on this car.
 

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