Fordnatics List Archive

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Mail From: (email redacted) (Clive Doubell)

Hi again

I,m posting this one for me.

For the past n years I have been in the process of building up a Ford GT40
replica - with some luck it could be finished this year. Originally I
earmarked a 351C4V for the car, even up to the point where it was actually
fitted, coupled to an Audi (rearmounted) manual 5 sp box. However when my
3.0 l Ford Courier PU (probably similar to Mazda PU in the USA) blew its
box, I shoved the 351 in. This leaves the GT40 engineless. I would like to
hear some opinions/advice/suggestions/thoughts on the following:

1) I would like to make this car quite fast, so a turbocharger (even dual)
is not out of the question. Supercharging won't work as currently the front
of the 351C goes about 3" into the drivers cabinet (no space for pulleys).
In SA there is not much information available on the subject of
turbocharging Ford V8's. Is there a supplier in the states that sells turbo
kits for old V8's, including pistons, carbs, headers, wastegates ect.

2) Is the 351C a good choice for this, what about a 427/428/429/460 (bigger
is better). Are these motors (and parts) readily available in the USA. If so
how and where can I get one and how much will it cost approximately.

3) The current g/box probably won't last long with a bigger and/or turbo
engine. What would work (remember engine is rear/mid mounted)? Hewland? ZF?.
Where in the States could I find (buy) one, perhaps reconditiond/rebuilt to
save costs. What clutch would work?

Thanks a lot

Clive

This read-only message was archived from a public mail list.
Mail From: "Fontana Peter" <(email redacted)>

NOTE :
- all hp estimates are flywheel HP
- all dollar amounts are guesses
- I'll guess Clive doesn't want to spend over $10,000 US


> 1) I would like to make this car quite fast, so a turbocharger (even dual)
> is not out of the question.
It would probably be helpful if you specified a dollar limit or horsepower
goal - my guess is you could get over 1200 hp with a turbo "mountain motor"
(600+ cubic inches from a "460", but do you really want to spend over $20,000
US?

> Is there a supplier in the states that sells turbo
> kits for old V8's, including pistons, carbs, headers, wastegates ect.
My guess is you don't want to get involved with hair dryers. For the cost and
complication, it would be a poor choice. Therefore, inches are everything,
and you can "easily" get 600 streetable HP from a stroked 460 - maybe at 512
cid.

> 2) Is the 351C a good choice for this, what about a 427/428/429/460 (bigger
> is better). Are these motors (and parts) readily available in the USA. If so

> how and where can I get one and how much will it cost approximately.
You should look for a 385 series motor (429,460) due to their availability and
lower cost. There are a wide variety of parts, from aluminum heads to stroker
cranks to aluminum blocks. For an "entry level" scenario, let me guess you
could readily get a 460 to reliably provide 500 hp for $5000.

> 3) The current g/box probably won't last long with a bigger and/or turbo
> engine. What would work (remember engine is rear/mid mounted)? Hewland? ZF?.

I think a ZF is the standard unit for your situation.


Since you can run a big iron block, stick with displacement as your answer for
power. A 460 is usually cheaper than a 351C at this point.