I typed this out when I started planning the motor I am currently working on. This is how I think, by typing, reading and rereading my own words. What I came up with may not be 100% accurate or even 1% accurate but this is how my planning went.
How much can I spend on this?
- Realize you will almost definitely spend more.
What do I want it to do when done?
- Cruiser, Drag race, autocross?
- Where does it need to make power for that application?
- If you want a combination of these, there will be compromise.
Can I do it for that money?
- Realistically, is it better to have a car you can enjoy with an engine that runs while you save to build your ideal engine.
What am I willing to give up?
- Do you have to have a stroker?
- Do you have to have forced induction?
What am I not willing to give up?
- I need X horsepower to end up with X ET.
- I need X MPG cause i drive it daily.
What do I have that I can use?
- Parts on the shelf greatly help with the cost of the build. I know not everyone has this luxury.
- Maybe I can use this for now and upgrade later
What can I get cheap that will help my build?
- Search your local classifieds. Good deals come to those who look for them.
Good places to save money?
- Do I need Forged pistons?
- Do I need Forged crank?
- Do I need full CNC heads on my 300 HP 318?
Bad places to save money?
- Chinese off brand parts (usually).
- Used parts not intended to be reused.
Piston to deck volume for minimum acceptable compression.
- If you build it with the piston way down in the hole, there is only so much you can do to get compresion back.
- Compression may not be the end all, be all in performance engines but it is important.
Heads
- Can you start out with stock heads?
- Easy to port or replace later once more money is available.
- Can affect compression, push rod length etc.
Cam and Valvetrain
- Important and very dependent on other decisions previously made.
- Not hugely expensive and can be changed later if needed.
- Largely responsible for the personality of your engine
Intake and carb
- Again these are very dependent on the rest of your package.
- Can be a huge limiting factor but easily changed later.
Ignition
- Don't underestimate your stock ignition.
- A rev limiter is your friend! especially if you are new to all this.
- Easy to change later
Stall, gears
- Very interdependent with total combo.
- Likely either something you already have and are building the combo around.
- Correct stall and gears can really wake up any combo.
Again, this is just me talking to myself (typed out). Very little experience.
Cley
How much can I spend on this?
- Realize you will almost definitely spend more.
What do I want it to do when done?
- Cruiser, Drag race, autocross?
- Where does it need to make power for that application?
- If you want a combination of these, there will be compromise.
Can I do it for that money?
- Realistically, is it better to have a car you can enjoy with an engine that runs while you save to build your ideal engine.
What am I willing to give up?
- Do you have to have a stroker?
- Do you have to have forced induction?
What am I not willing to give up?
- I need X horsepower to end up with X ET.
- I need X MPG cause i drive it daily.
What do I have that I can use?
- Parts on the shelf greatly help with the cost of the build. I know not everyone has this luxury.
- Maybe I can use this for now and upgrade later
What can I get cheap that will help my build?
- Search your local classifieds. Good deals come to those who look for them.
Good places to save money?
- Do I need Forged pistons?
- Do I need Forged crank?
- Do I need full CNC heads on my 300 HP 318?
Bad places to save money?
- Chinese off brand parts (usually).
- Used parts not intended to be reused.
Piston to deck volume for minimum acceptable compression.
- If you build it with the piston way down in the hole, there is only so much you can do to get compresion back.
- Compression may not be the end all, be all in performance engines but it is important.
Heads
- Can you start out with stock heads?
- Easy to port or replace later once more money is available.
- Can affect compression, push rod length etc.
Cam and Valvetrain
- Important and very dependent on other decisions previously made.
- Not hugely expensive and can be changed later if needed.
- Largely responsible for the personality of your engine
Intake and carb
- Again these are very dependent on the rest of your package.
- Can be a huge limiting factor but easily changed later.
Ignition
- Don't underestimate your stock ignition.
- A rev limiter is your friend! especially if you are new to all this.
- Easy to change later
Stall, gears
- Very interdependent with total combo.
- Likely either something you already have and are building the combo around.
- Correct stall and gears can really wake up any combo.
Again, this is just me talking to myself (typed out). Very little experience.
Cley
