Heres the deal, my engine is currently logging in w/ 144k miles on it. For the most part it runs good with the occasional creak and some annoying noises. At the present time, as much as I want one, a new 350 is just out of the question . And the way it looks now, the summer isnt going to allow me the pleasure of a new engine either. So, the point of this post is to ask whether or not its a good idea to slap some new mods on the car. I was thinking along of possibly 3.42 or 3.73 gears w/ slp posi unit, headers, new intake and cam, and maybe some other little things down the road. This car IS my daily driver and while i want to keep it running, i dont want her to be left behind come summer time when all those 16 year olds take mommy or daddys rustang out and want to start $hit. So, mods good? Or mods bad?

 

If your engine is in good running condition I say go for it. If you plan on keeping the car a long time , you may want to get a suspension overhall first to eliminate all those creaks. You'll have a great base for that future 350 or beefed up 305.

 

My engine/transmission had 143,600 miles on the odometer when I drained the radiator to start the mods in my sig.

 

i would not do it, i learned my lesson from doing mods on a tired, high mileage engine, i had a 350 with about 108,000 miles on it, ran real good so i slapped in a big cam and 4.10 gears, within about 2 months the thing was leaking oil like you wouldnt belive and started running crappy, if its running good now i would not f' with it, get a 350, put it on and engine stand and put your money into that.

 

Damnit...i really dont wanna take the chance and kill the engine, i wanna avoid that at all costs...how much do you figure it would cost to have a 350 swapped in, the install that is. My buddy's cousin could do it for me, just wondered what the going rate would be.

 

Well if your engine is fine than there should be no problems with modding it. If you need it to last a few more years do yourself a favore and have the heads gone through. Guides are generally wiped out in 100k but rings and bearings should be fine if you have properly maintained it. How's the oil pressure and the oil consumption? A good mild performance cam like the melling MTC-1 or compatible roller cam and a nice gear ratio like 3:42 will do wonders even for a higher mileage engine. That combo should not only increse performance but fuel economy as well.
The thing is, swaping a 350 or any engine for that matter, you cant be on a restrictive budget. Little things pop up and can nickle and dime you well over your budget.
At the very least use parts that will cross over to the 350. A catback and gears will help any engine. An aftermarket intake manifold ect ect..
Good Luck.
SSC

 

I would not do anything to the inside of the engine. I would fix the things which will also help when an engine swap is done. Work on brakes , suspension and TPI. Opening up the engine could cause some bad problems or heart breaking finds

 

If it Runs good....Don't **** withit!!!

 

I would have to agree with Camaro6sp, if it aint broke and it runs good dont screw with it. I am running with a LO3 that runs really really strong with just bolt ons so I dont screw with it until it gives me a reason to. Mind you its not going to win me any races, but it is a nice ride so i dont mind it.

 

I plan on doing a compression test on the engine and i'm hoping everything looks good...but you guys say if the engine turns out to be ok DONT bother modding it at all? I still want to put headers and like a new intake manifold on and possibly a cam...but you guys are saying dont bother? or am misreading things?

 

I would say go with things such as exhaust, headders, pullies, wires plugs etc, but try to stay away from screwing with anything internally the engine, like I said if it aint broke dont fix it until it is. If you have a TBI which I think you do, swap out the above, the intake manifold and then do some of the free stuff that they have on the site with regards to the "ultimate" tbi and I think you will find a good difference.

I would only say to swap the cam if the performance is totally not acceptable to you, because anytime you take something apart that is working fine and put it back together you know that something will not "click" 100%. Thats just my take on things.