ok, so i've got a 71 mav. with a 351w.... thats about it. the entire car is junk, except for the engine (2k miles) i'm still working on making the headers to fit. i'd really like to race this beast... whats step 2 after getting it running??
Light car lots of cubes,sooo yeah.Have fun changing plugs,unless of course you allready notched the towers.On a side note,most engines are not very good for racing unless you build em to handle the punishment.Occasional beatings will allow it to live longer but,drag racing tells you which parts are not up to the task.
question2 the 351w has also been bored .30 also. what kind of HP am I going to be looking at, before i continue work on anything else?
A 5.0 is the same as a 302 just a later designation. Mavericks came with 302's so they fit in there with no mods. A 351w will fit in there also but will be a bear to change plugs unless you do the shock modification. I have a 302 +.040=308 that has gone 11.81 at the track. A 302 can be stroked to 347. A 351w can be stroked to 418 and upwards if you have the right block. It all depends on how fast you want to go and how much money you have to spend. Remember to get that power to the ground you're going to need brakes, tranny, rear end and gears and tires to handle it too.
One other point if you want to race this thing. All the power in the world is useless if you can't get it to the ground. Some suspension work and tires are going to be in order real fast. A 351w motor is an excellent race motor. Does not take much to make the power on them.
To race a Maverick with a 351W you are going to want to install subframe connectors, make sure the torque boxes are in good shape, get as much weight out of the car as you can and work the suspension over for the kind of racing you will be doing. The 351 can give you over 350hp with a smooth idle so it is an ideal street/strip car. You are going to want big, sticky tires to get the HP and torque (400 ft. lbs) to the ground. A friend runs slicks to get traction with a 302.
I wouldn't put a junk motor like the 351W in maverick. Yeah right! (come on Eddie I know you 'll have something to say) All above advise is very good, traction will be a big problem but once you get your HP to the ground things will change. I hope you have the 9 inch and not the 8 inch rear. After you start hookin expect something else to break, (see Mavman72 post) I couldn't tell you how many weak links I found after I got my ponys to hook up. Once you have been bitten by the racing bug remember, this is gonna get pricey. Good luck and post back with questions. As always just my .02 but I'm right about the pricey part. Bossmav
first off the 351 w is my favorite motor, and i was able to change my plugs without taking the valve covers off..... of course i still have the hand cramps from doing it there have been times that i thought seriously about a 347, but i just can't pull myself away from the windsor i still need to at least notch my towers and set up my suspension and not to mention stiffing up the chassis. i say if you really want the windsor go for it, but if you don't love it like i do go for a stroker 302.
thanks thanks for the replies! so it sounds like i've got a (potential) winner. it'll probably sit under my tarp until i have enough $$$$ to fix this bad boy up. everything about the car besides the engine is stock
