Hey guys-
I've been here for a bit, mostly lurking, but thought I'd share how far along I have come on my build. I bough my car in 2014 as a 65 2+2 with a 6 and 3 speed. I had purchased the car because it was a fastback and it was a solid car that I could afford. I started just making sure that the engine would run and stop safely. Over time I added v8 disk brakes, redrilled the rear end for 5 lug, then went full v8 suspension, T5, rewired the car, rebuilt the entire suspension, rebuilt the engine, added a CI head, added fitech, and tracked the car down at Willow Springs with the Shelby Club. I always enjoyed the feedback from those guys that were surprised at how well my little 6 ran.
This summer I decided to turn the wick up a bit. After talking to a few guys (and thanks to Pmuller) I went to work.
I had picked up a Will-made turbo header a while back that was to be lynchpin of the setup. Turns out that his headers/downpipe combo don't really work with the CI head/intake. I had the header modified and a new downpipe made by a local shop. While the car was there I had them also make my charge pipes. I picked up an ebay turbo setup as I didn't want spend a bucket of money if I decided to turn back. I made sure that I put everything together with serviceability and being able to source replacement parts in mind.
My long block wasn't taken apart- I'm still running a stock 65 crank/rods, with 2.3 HSC cast pistons (~9.9:1), as specified by the Falcon handbook. With my old cam and the fitech, that setup put out 185 rwhp at 5500 rpm. I figured that with 1) low boost, 2) an intercooler, and 3) a TBI setup I can keep my intake temps under control.
I ended up with a GT35-style turbo (.63AR) running a total of 7.5lbs of boost. I swapped the cam with a custom ground one from Schneider (272-270 .508/.487 114LS). I also upgraded to a fitech 600PA to handle the boost/fuel/ignition. Thanks to Bill for the locked out Duraspark- it works great with the motor and the fitech. So far I have seen intake air temps a high of ~100F when I was in some stop and go traffic, and once underway, it's about 95F on a 95F day.
I will say that without a doubt, WOW! Why did I wait so long to do this? There have been some headscratchers ( how do I phase a distributor without an adjustable rotor, backfires due to timing, then backfires due to radio noise), but I am feeling like I have figured it out. It pulls HARD from about 2500-3000. I had a Factory Five Cobra with a 345 horse 302 before this car and when this thing is on boost, it feels just like that car did! Anyway, I need to get the car tuned and dyno'd, so that is next. Can't wait for the next track day!
I still don't know how to post pics, but here's a shot of the setup as I ran it yesterday. Thanks all!
https://photos.app.goo.gl/R4bTR9gC7ghu8K8h7
I've been here for a bit, mostly lurking, but thought I'd share how far along I have come on my build. I bough my car in 2014 as a 65 2+2 with a 6 and 3 speed. I had purchased the car because it was a fastback and it was a solid car that I could afford. I started just making sure that the engine would run and stop safely. Over time I added v8 disk brakes, redrilled the rear end for 5 lug, then went full v8 suspension, T5, rewired the car, rebuilt the entire suspension, rebuilt the engine, added a CI head, added fitech, and tracked the car down at Willow Springs with the Shelby Club. I always enjoyed the feedback from those guys that were surprised at how well my little 6 ran.
This summer I decided to turn the wick up a bit. After talking to a few guys (and thanks to Pmuller) I went to work.
I had picked up a Will-made turbo header a while back that was to be lynchpin of the setup. Turns out that his headers/downpipe combo don't really work with the CI head/intake. I had the header modified and a new downpipe made by a local shop. While the car was there I had them also make my charge pipes. I picked up an ebay turbo setup as I didn't want spend a bucket of money if I decided to turn back. I made sure that I put everything together with serviceability and being able to source replacement parts in mind.
My long block wasn't taken apart- I'm still running a stock 65 crank/rods, with 2.3 HSC cast pistons (~9.9:1), as specified by the Falcon handbook. With my old cam and the fitech, that setup put out 185 rwhp at 5500 rpm. I figured that with 1) low boost, 2) an intercooler, and 3) a TBI setup I can keep my intake temps under control.
I ended up with a GT35-style turbo (.63AR) running a total of 7.5lbs of boost. I swapped the cam with a custom ground one from Schneider (272-270 .508/.487 114LS). I also upgraded to a fitech 600PA to handle the boost/fuel/ignition. Thanks to Bill for the locked out Duraspark- it works great with the motor and the fitech. So far I have seen intake air temps a high of ~100F when I was in some stop and go traffic, and once underway, it's about 95F on a 95F day.
I will say that without a doubt, WOW! Why did I wait so long to do this? There have been some headscratchers ( how do I phase a distributor without an adjustable rotor, backfires due to timing, then backfires due to radio noise), but I am feeling like I have figured it out. It pulls HARD from about 2500-3000. I had a Factory Five Cobra with a 345 horse 302 before this car and when this thing is on boost, it feels just like that car did! Anyway, I need to get the car tuned and dyno'd, so that is next. Can't wait for the next track day!
I still don't know how to post pics, but here's a shot of the setup as I ran it yesterday. Thanks all!
https://photos.app.goo.gl/R4bTR9gC7ghu8K8h7
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