Ford Windsor Forums

We're planning on entering a 302-powered Porsche 914 in an upcoming "24 Hours of Lemons" race down here in Houston.  We raced a 90 Firebird in the last two races down here and did miserably thanks to EFI/electrical problems the first race and overheating issues the second.  For those of you unfamiliar with the Lemons race, teams are limited to spending $500 on the car and all prep excluding safety items (tires, wheels, brakes, seat, roll cage, belts, etc).

We've got the car, just pulled the engine from a 96 F150, and have identified the required adapter plate from Kennedy Engineering to use the existing VW/Porsche transaxle.  What we need advice on is simplifying the engine and making it as bulletproof as possible.   We planned on switching out the EFI for carbureted so we didn't pull the ECU.  One of the exhaust manifolds is cracked so a set of cheap headers is planned.  Of course we'll eliminate as many accessories as possible - A/C compressor, power steering pump, and smog pump.  Mixed feelings on whether we'll have room for the mechanical water pump, maybe opting for an electric one. 

Any recommendations on manifolds, carbs, and headers?  Of course we'll be looking for used parts and can eliminate any/all EGR/smog implementations.  Anyone interested in trading anything for the upper and lower intakes and/or throttle body?

Is there a known belt routing/number with only an alternator and water pump?  How about for just an alternator?  Any experiences out there with electric water pumps?

We welcome any and all other recommendations!

Thanks,
Mike - Houston, TX

 

That sounds really awesome. Wish they had one of those near me!

Electric water pump would blow alot of your budget I would think. I would stick with a stocker unless you are really chasing the hp. Maybe you could go under driven to save on hp.

I would also do the following:

• Port the heads to remove the exhaust port thermactor bump
• Think about putting in ARP rod bolts since you will be doing a lot of rpm
• Port matching intake and heads (since time isnt an issue but money is)
• Go for a dual plane intake e.g. weiand stealth as you wont have the cash for great head flow
• headers will depend on clearance on everything. Go for 4:1 long tubes with as much ground clearance as possible if you can. Shorties if you cant
• Carb - something aroudn 600cfm should do. probably a holley type.
  

You should be able to run water pump plus alt only if you are using V-belts. Not sure on serpentine.

 

 

 

Thanks for the advice EFI302.

 Mike

Hey Kermit, I have a new setup Edelbrock RPM Performer Intake, 600 CFM Edelbrock Carb, Edlelbrock 14" air Cleaner with K&N. All Bolted up, Low Miles Like maybe 100 Miles Total I was considering switching over to Fuel Injection with onboard computer? Can you tell me what you've got upper & Lower as well as the rest maybe a larger mm F.I. ? Let me know? I can send some pics. Thanks Hope your Race is a success!