Ford V8 Discussion Discussion relating to getting the most out of your Ford-based V8 Miata's engine

To supercharge or not

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Old 02-16-2010, 05:58 PM
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Default To supercharge or not

Is it better to supercharge of to go all motor to get to the 350HP mark?
Old 02-16-2010, 07:18 PM
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Go all motor. Spend the money to get a 347 stroker with a decent set of heads and you can make that power no problem. And beat the **** outta' it all day long. I have had more than a couple Mustangs..

Look up westbankmike on youtube has some videos of my Mustangs.
Old 02-17-2010, 09:07 AM
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Thanks, I was kind of thinking about going all motor anyways.
Old 02-19-2010, 12:41 PM
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I agree. Go with motor. I'm hassling with a sc install right now, and I think that I'm going to scrap the install. I can build a wicked 383 to replace my 327for about the same money that I'll have in the sc install, and I won't have to worry about running lean, etc.
Old 02-19-2010, 04:10 PM
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I was kind of thinking about going with a 306 or a 331 with the Trick Flow twisted wedge top end kit. I really only want to have about 350-400 HP, I figure that is plenty for this little car.
Old 02-19-2010, 04:12 PM
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Originally Posted by 95mustata
I was kind of thinking about going with a 306 or a 331 with the Trick Flow twisted wedge top end kit. I really only want to have about 350-400 HP, I figure that is plenty for this little car.
Mine is 300hp/330tq, and I'm looking to get another 100. Honestly, I'd go for another 200 if I could afford it.
Old 02-19-2010, 05:38 PM
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If you stroke the 302 go to 347 get as much as you can there is no reason to go to a 331.........
Old 02-19-2010, 09:42 PM
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Originally Posted by mike90miata
If you stroke the 302 go to 347 get as much as you can there is no reason to go to a 331.........
1. 331 piston pin is not in the oil ring groove like a 347
2. Drag racers & road racers operating at extremely high RPM (7,500 range) favor the shorter stroke of the 331 (better rod ratio)
Old 02-19-2010, 10:23 PM
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Good to know, didn't know that. I plan on drag racing this thing a lot. So, a 331 may be better for me.
Old 02-19-2010, 10:46 PM
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Originally Posted by sn95
1. 331 piston pin is not in the oil ring groove like a 347
2. Drag racers & road racers operating at extremely high RPM (7,500 range) favor the shorter stroke of the 331 (better rod ratio)
The argument of 331 over 347 has been argued back and forth a million times all over the internet and race shops everywhere. All I can say from
personal expirence is my 347 didn't use a drop of oil.

And run factory block at 7500 rpm and it won't last long.

There is no replacement for displacement..
Old 02-20-2010, 12:36 AM
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Originally Posted by mike90miata
The argument of 331 over 347 has been argued back and forth a million times all over the internet and race shops everywhere. All I can say from
personal expirence is my 347 didn't use a drop of oil.

And run factory block at 7500 rpm and it won't last long.

There is no replacement for displacement..
Dart block w/4.125 bore! I don't have anything against 347s (I've already got a set SRP 347 .030 over pistons sitting in a box), just wanted to point out the benefits of a 331.
Old 02-20-2010, 06:11 AM
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My last engine was a boss block 347 wish I would have gone out to 4.125 363 with it.
Old 02-20-2010, 07:13 AM
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Originally Posted by rugger
I agree. Go with motor. I'm hassling with a sc install right now, and I think that I'm going to scrap the install. I can build a wicked 383 to replace my 327for about the same money that I'll have in the sc install, and I won't have to worry about running lean, etc.
Does that mean I can pick up a supercharger on the cheap?
Old 02-20-2010, 12:52 PM
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Originally Posted by mx5.7
Does that mean I can pick up a supercharger on the cheap?
For you? Sure.
Old 02-20-2010, 01:37 PM
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I would love to do it, but I don't know if I have the room. Was that your issue?
Old 02-20-2010, 01:48 PM
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I would have to channel a small section on the driver's side "frame" ahead of the k-member/suspension mount. It was not a big deal. Mostly, I am abandoning it because of cost. I'm concerned about my cast crank and stock rods handling the power. I've decided to go with a built 383 or 400 instead.
Old 02-20-2010, 03:17 PM
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Just stroke a 351w out to a 427w and you will have more power than you know what to do with....
Old 02-20-2010, 05:12 PM
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Hey Mike,

Will the 9.2 deck 351W fit in the Miata??? I've seen a lot of 8.2" SBF swaps, have not seen a 9.2" one. The old '69-'70 351W blocks are a lot stronger than the 5.0L roller blocks>
Old 02-21-2010, 07:46 AM
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Question. What gasmileage do you want? And there comes a point traction is a great issue.

I had a drag mustang last summer. It drank gas like no other.

I personally would stick with a good short block. and mild boost.
I like mpg when normal driving.

To be honest. unless you are running slicks. i can't imagine over 250 really being useable in first or second in this car anyway.

But isn't that half the fun.


I wouldn't buy a new supercharger though. There are to many used and cheap out there.

But I'm sure motor will be plenty on this car. LOL

Last edited by Toddcod; 02-21-2010 at 07:49 AM.
Old 02-21-2010, 09:38 AM
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Originally Posted by Toddcod
To be honest. unless you are running slicks. i can't imagine over 250 really being useable in first or second in this car anyway.
Just like most your imagination fails you. I have 300hp/330tq in mine and I can dead hook it with a 1st gear 4000 rpm clutch dump at the line. It takes a generous amount of throttle and clutch to break one of these cars loose. I only second gear start in the snow.
Old 02-21-2010, 10:27 AM
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I plan on running slicks when I am at the track. I really don't care to much about MPG as this is a secondary fun car for me. That being said I don't want to be able to pass everything but a gas station though. Being a light car a whole lot of power becomes useless in my opinion. I think that about 350 hp is plenty for this little car. Really, 250hp is enough. But, a little more couldn;t hurt.
Old 02-21-2010, 10:59 AM
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Originally Posted by sn95
Hey Mike,

Will the 9.2 deck 351W fit in the Miata??? I've seen a lot of 8.2" SBF swaps, have not seen a 9.2" one. The old '69-'70 351W blocks are a lot stronger than the 5.0L roller blocks>


There is one on the monster miata site with a 351w in it not sure if it was under a stock hood.
Get yourself a 93-95 351w roller block they are good to about 700hp.
And weigh about the same as the 302 would with a vortech or something like that on it.

But yeah a good 347 with a 3.63:1 rear gear and a T5 would be a ton of fun and not all that bad on gas. If I did it I would put the ford dif in with a 3.08:1 gear. You could knock down 20mpg and with the car weighing only 2500#'s
you don't need a steep gear to get it moving.

My Mustang ran in the 11's easy with both the 4.10:1 gear and the 3.08:1's in it The Miata with 350 to the wheels should be an easy 11 sec car 10's with slicks and a good driver.
Old 02-21-2010, 05:23 PM
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Here comes the bench racing.
Old 02-21-2010, 06:21 PM
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Originally Posted by mx5.7
Here comes the bench racing.
A V8 in a miata had better be good at drag racing since the balance of the miata is ruined.
Old 02-21-2010, 06:30 PM
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Originally Posted by rugger
A V8 in a miata had better be good at drag racing since the balance of the miata is ruined.
From all I have read the balance goes to 53/47 wich is still great. How is that ruined?? Heck with some well place balast you'd be right back to 50/50..

And weight on the front in't good for drag racing as you need the front to rise for the rear tires to dig in and get traction. Only FWD cars need weight on the front for drag racing...


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