I finally did it -- ordered a 347 crate engine today for the Sprint. Should be ready in about 2 weeks. I've been on the fence about getting it for months. Think there were three things that convinced me to do it: a buyer for my 5.0, somewhat slower response with taller 15" tires, and my buddy's Trailblazer SS is better in the 1/8 mile. Might have overcome those things with gears and converter but I expect that would sacrifice too much in street and highway characteristics. More cubes, better heads, little more aggressive cam, more compression, and 2500 stall converter seemed like a better way to go. Anyway, decision is made and I'm REALLY eager to see how it turns out.
Thanks. Dart Pro 1 w/170 runners. We chose 170s rather than the 195s the builder uses for a standard build. The objective is a VERY streetable engine and we thought these might be a better match for the Doug Thorley shorties.
Who is the supplier of ur new 347? U getting long block, short blk or turnkey? Gud luck w/ the new engine.
Prestige Motors, about 20 miles North of Charlotte, is building the engine. It's pretty complete with pan, valve covers, intake, timing cover, and balancer. No accessories, brackets, water pump or pulleys.
Thanks, Earl. Buddy is coming over this afternoon and we'll start unhooking the 5.0. :bananaman Wasn't easy to pull the trigger on this one. Or to choose options to tame his standard build down some for a sweet street engine. I'll soon know how it works out. Last big decision is the torque converter. I'm expecting the dyno results to confirm a 2500 stall.
5.0 is Out A friend came over at 9 AM and, with a couple of breaks, be had the 5.0 and C4 out and separated at 5 PM. Need to put the 5.0 on a pallet and it'll be ready to deliver to the buyer on 9/18. .
im not trying to advertise for them but edge converters did me really good, guy name andrea is who you need to talk to, he build me a converter for my car i picked up 6 tens, with just a converter change, its a little on the higher price side but i will promise you will be happy!
Finally, its running pretty well After multiple carburetor and ignition changes, the 347 is FINALLY running quite well. Took it back to the engine builder on Friday and had a great run back home with the Maverick running better than it ever has. SMOOTH as silk on cruise. It ended up with an MSD distributor with digital advance curves and a Quick Fuel SS 650 carb. Could have saved some money and a lot of pain had I gone with them in the beginning but I just didn't think I should have to lay out that kind of money for a driver. But, in the end, I feel like both carb and ignition are first class. Everything in the QF carb appears to be changeable or adjustable. Digital timing curve on the MSD dist is adjustable with dials. Idle is still not what I wanted. Have to have it up around 900 in neutral. Depending on weather, engine temp, etc, it will drop 150-400 RPM (stock converter) when it goes in drive. 750 is smooth enough, but 500 is not nice. Idle is non-existent when its cold but, when exhaust and intake heat are eliminated, maybe I have to put up with some of that. So, I'm thinking about a higher stall converter to avoid the need to slip into neutral sometimes at a stop light. Since adding the trans cooler and putting some exhaust wrap around the pipes by the transmission pan, the transmission doesn't get much above 150*, down from 180* before those changes. Expect a higher stall converter won't cause the trans to overheat now. I don't feel like it needs a higher stall for launch. With 3.00 TL rear and 235/60/15 tires, it has ample wheel spin. Just need it a little looser when idling in gear. Have a call in to B&M to get their advice on a converter. I'm thinking their Hole Shot 2400 would be about right but I'll see what they say. The catalog doesn't say anything about that converter being looser on idle but I guess it should be.
Congrats on getting the 347 running well. I don't think u'll be able to get the idle down to 500 and run smooth w/ any kind of cam, other than stock. If u have a 700 smooth idle in gear; don't think u'll get much better. I have my car idling abt the same and don't have nr the power. I do have a mild cam "it came in the car at purchase". My car seems to run fine 900 "neutral" and can run the AC/elec cooling fan and all accessories w/o a problem.
