grassroots $2010 challenge

[wingsofwax180]

ok so I have an 88 lx 5spd conv. mustang a friend and I are doing a 2.3t swap on for the grassroots challenge because the car was given to me (grad present from Dad ;D)and I have all the stuff laying around after figuring the budget we'll have about $1700 left for go fast and handling the car has turbocoupe sway bars and KYB Gr2s already on it we were planing on running an HX35w turbo If anybody has any tips on anything we may be able to do to get more power out of this it would be a great help because one of the challenge regulars told me to go fast I would need to use a smallblock chevy and Im kinda out to prove him wrong and if theres interest shown in this topic I will get pics and keep you guys updated along the way oh and thanks again
if you have questions about how the budget works or anything else Ill answer the best I can

[Stinger]

The key to making power on the cheap is to know how to port properly and to port ALL the stock parts...head, intakes, throttle body, exhaust manifold, turbo inlet, turbo exhaust inlet, etc. This is all free and increases airflow dramatically (if done right...and by right I don't mean gasket matching the head).

You'll need some 17" wheels and good soft tires for maximum traction around corners...stiffer springs too. Odds are you are at a disadvantage with the Mustang from the get go because it is heavier than many of the applicants.

[wingsofwax180]

ok Thank you do you possibly have any write ups or links to write ups on any porting and we have v710 auto cross tires on 15 in wheels and one last question are turbocoupe spings any stiffer than mustang ones I think they are taller but I dont see why they couldnt be cut a bit

[Stinger]

I don't know but they would be WAY stiffer after cutting them down.

I have some porting pics/info for the intake and exhaust manifolds on the turbo swap overview page. Head porting takes some pretty specific knowledge and skills. You'll want to unshroud the valves in the chamber, do a ton of work on the short side radius and around the valve stem boss and just above the valve seats. The rest of the port is ok...just needs smoothed out.

[wingsofwax180]

ok thanks alot for your help its greatly apreciated