What's a budget build?

[Positively Ralf]

Asking this for a friend of mines who is interested in knowing more about these engines. He will be doing lots of reading but in the mean time he would love to know what are budget builds, when it comes to the 200? Don't really know how to word this question better, but it's what he wants to know? Also, getting as much power as possible,y while keeping the car running at around 18-19 mpg. Although I still think even a budget build should not dip that low on the MPG category.

Thanks for your time guys.

 

[Bayrunner]

Budget build: In my opinion, for what it is worth...........................

1. CI Rebuild kit.
2. CI log head rebuild kit.
3. Spend your money on ignition, header and carby upgrades!

Total - $2000.00 for better performance, driveability, better mileage if you can keep your foot off of her.

Cheers

 

[CobraSix]

By budget...what is your definition of budget? ALso, is the work being performed by you or someone else?

Cheap mods that help performance, but may not actually increase HP (but the car will run much much better)

1) Pertronix 1 Ignition or Duraspark II Ignition ~ $100
2) 40kV coil ~$50
3) Open up plug gap ~$0
Those three will not likely improve HP much, but the drivability and response of the car to throttle is tremendous. Also, you'll easily improve your mileage. I was able to get to around 28-29MPG with that and an otherwise stock engine.

4) Camshaft upgrade ~$350
Even with a stock 1V carb, a mild camshaft upgrade greatly increases performance. I ran a Comp Cam 260H (before CI got in the business) with a 1V Autolite 1100. Combined with a 4 cylinder T5 transmission, the car drove awesome.
Mileage dropped slightly due to my lead foot to around 26MPG.

5) Carb upgrade. Either direct mount a 2V carb, use an adaptor, or get a better 1V carb. ~ $100-$400

6) T-5 Transmission ~$500-$1500 depending on how patient you are finding parts.
In my mind, the single best performance upgrade ever made to my car. The better gear ratios worked wonders for the little engine that could. Again, even with an other stock head and carb, it makes a noticeable difference in how the car feels.

After that, I think you are beyond a "budget" build. But look for OZ250/2V heads, or pony up some money and get an Aluminum head from CI.

 

[early ford fan]

1) Pertronix 1 Ignition or Duraspark II Ignition ~ $100
2) 40kV coil ~$50
3) Open up plug gap ~$0
Those three will not likely improve HP much, but the drivability and response of the car to throttle is tremendous. Also, you'll easily improve your mileage. I was able to get to around 28-29MPG with that and an otherwise stock engine.

4) Camshaft upgrade ~$350
Even with a stock 1V carb, a mild camshaft upgrade greatly increases performance. I ran a Comp Cam 260H (before CI got in the business) with a 1V Autolite 1100. Combined with a 4 cylinder T5 transmission, the car drove awesome.
Mileage dropped slightly due to my lead foot to around 26MPG.

how many volts is the duraspark 2 coil?id love to get over 20 mpg.

 

[JackFish]

Have you done a compression test?

 

[Positively Ralf]

by budget...what is your definition of budget? ALso, is the work being performed by you or someone else?

Guess he means exactly what you said. I think he is looking at budget as simple bolt ons. Including your list, what would a set of nice headers do to the car?

 

[CobraSix]

I'm actually still using my pertronix Flamethrower coil, which is 40kV.

Headers help, but until you upgrade the cam, I think you won't see much improvement. Bang for the buck, I personally don't think this is a top mod for performance when you start out. However, nice jet coated headers do look great!

 

[Eric Rose]

My approach...

1.) Basic rebuild:
1978 200 block and head
Bored .40 over (I had to go 40 to clean up the walls)
Block milled for zero deck height
Head milled for 9:1 compression
Valve seats opened up
Valves back cut
I used stock replacement type pistons but you can also use the flat tops from a HSC engine out of a Tempo.

2.) Cam/Valvetrain
Clay Smith 264/274/112* hydraulic
289 V8 valve springs
Cam degree'd on installation - it was straight up
Stock non-adjustable rockers
*I have adjustable rockers I might try this summer

3.) Exhaust
El Cheapo 6-into-1 header from Mustangs Unlimited
2.5" single outlet with turbo style muffler

4.) Ignition
Duraspark II
Timing set to 12 degrees initial (if I remember right)
MSD Blaster II coil

5.) Fuel
Carter YF
Electric choke
Stock 1978 mechanical fuel pump

6.) Misc.
Alternator conversion
Aluminum radiator

I enjoyed this setup as a daily driver for a while, until my transmission gave up the ghost. It was a nice upgrade for daily driving over stock. I wouldn't call it "fast" but it was more than adequate for scooting around town. About 20mpg on the highway. The redline isn't that high and the torque peak is pretty low so with the C4 I always felt like I needed a 4th gear (I have an overdrive manual on it now, but I haven't driven with it yet).

If I had it to do over again, I would have:
Used the flat top HSC pistons
Raised the compression ratio to 9.5 or even 10:1 (With 9.5 it could probably even handle regular since all gas here in GA is 10% ethanol)
Done a little Dremel work on the ports to clean them up (casting quality leaves a lot to be desired)
Used a roller timing chain
Adjustable rockers
Maybe installed the cam with a little advance
Milled the head for 2v direct-mount

I was limited by time and budget, and I didn't want to go too radical since this was the first ever engine build I've done. Some of the things like the rockers and timing chain I can still upgrade later on if I feel like it.

Hope this helps you decide