195s on a 306

[MadDAWG]

Hello all - noob here.

I'm looking at updating my 306 in my 90 Mustang GT. Current combo is Eddy Performers, Explorer intake and small Comp Cam. However it's time to get serious.

I want to keep my 306 short block for now since I was challenged to get my car in the 11.90s or better that way. I was looking at AFR 185s based on a magazine dyno articale on their site. [432 hp 302] If you don't want to read it here is the basic run down.

Stock short block
AFR185s (milled to get 10.5 compression)
TFS-R EFI intake ( I have one of these on my parts shelf)
Comp XE280HR cam (232/240 @ 0.050) .565/.575 lift 112 lca
1-3/4 long tube headers

I currently have a little better short block with Eagle SIR rods and Speed Pro 2488 pistons (9.8:1 w/ 60cc) to build on.

While I think this would make a nice setup for me I really don't want to jump on the AFR band wagon. I know they are a good piece but I'd like to be different then every other 5.0 at the strip.

So that's why I'm here, looking to be different and hopefully a little better than the rest. Would the 195s be a good match for a setup like this?

I'd most likely have a custom cam ground up to match either set of heads. With the 62cc chamber I'd would have to get them milled down to get the compression up. Is there any drawbacks to milling them done to 54cc?

The car has been on a little bit of a diet, but I have not been able to get it on the scales this year. Car is a 5 speed with 2.95 first gear. Rear gear would most likely be 4.30s with a 26 tall tire.

I know this engine is probably a toy for most of you on here, but it's going to be the closest thing to a race engine I've ever had.

So the basic question is would the 195 PRO1s be a good choice for my propsed 306.

Any and all comments welcome.

[want-a-be]

Here is what I would do if I were you.

Get the 347 stroker kit for the 302 block. That is a bad a$$ed combination. I'm not a huge Ford fan. But I'm looking foward to building one of these for myself. Put the 195s on top of that combination and you'll love it. Plus...you'll still be hitting your expectations wrapped in the same package. Darts are what I'll be running on it also.

Don

[MadDAWG]

I'm guessing you missed this part :)

"I want to keep my 306 short block for now since I was challenged to get my car in the 11.90s or better that way. "

Personaly I wouldn't do a 347 I'd probably go 331. But that is after I make a 306 run.

Mike

[want-a-be]

Only way to learn is by doing...have at it.

Don

[Awesome Bill]

Mike, you don't need a 347 or even a 331 to accomplish what you want with a 5 speed 430 gear car like yours. I personally would not put anything larger than the 170cc head and thats to large if you ask me. You will need to turn the little engine around 6800 rpm + to really use that head. I would have the ports polished and that is it. Take all the stock casting marks out of them and you will have a killer 306 that will fly. The 170 heads already have the proper bowl and guide work to make these killer even for the 347 if at a later date you changed. Keep the 1.94/1.60 valve and you'll love them. You can machine these heads down and get 58ccs and use a thinner head gasket to maximize your compression. Use the smallest bore and keep the piston to head tight as possible. .035" would be good. Your camshaft should not be over 238/244 for intake and exhaust and maintain .575 lift. So with a solid or hydraulic roller camshaft, you can spin it pretty good. The hyd lifter run @ maximum pre-oad will rev like a solid. If your interested in a really good package, call me.

[MadDAWG]

How much differance would there really be from the Performers I have now to a set of Dart 170s? On the surface seems like not enough to make it worth it. Would an intake and cam swap on my current combo "do it"?. My wife would love the sound of that. lol

As for some of your other tips I'm all ready there. :) Pistions are out of the hole 0.004 with a gasket of 0.038 thickness. I just went back and reset lifter perload on the tighter end.

I all ready have the TFS-R intake and larger TB ready for the car. So would those cams specs still be in the ball park? Just for referance my current cam is a COMP XE270hr (218/224 - .544 lift)