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Tony Hanna
12-29-2005, 05:38 PM
Please don't kill me...;)
Ok, I know everybody hates these threads, but you know how curiosity is...
Here's the platform:
'88 Sundance with an '89 2.5, '89 2.5 smec, and 520 trans.
Here's the plan:
Shortblock: stock with new rings, bearings, and balance shaft delete.
Head: stock
Intake: port matched to 52 mm throttle body otherwise stock.
Exhaust manifold: mildly ported stock
Turbo: FM Enforcer II with .48 turbine housing and ported 2.25" sv (will upgrade to .63 and 3" as money permits).
Exhaust: 3" manderal bent side exit with no cat and a welded ultraflow in the location of the stock cat.
Intercooler: custom with 4 stock cores or equivalent in flow. Not set in stone atm.
Fuel system: Stock with zener. Methanol injection for additional fuel and detonation resistance.
Target boost: 30 psi.

Anybody care to take a guess as to what this would be capable of in a proper state of tune?
Thanks,

moparzrule
12-29-2005, 05:56 PM
First of all, a blown up transmission. But once you get one that will hold-

With the .48 housing on the turbo......250-275 WHP/325 ft/lbs
With the .63 housing, 275-300 WHP/350 ft/lbs

Tony Hanna
12-29-2005, 08:49 PM
Really, you don't think the 520 is up to it?
What about with an aftermarket end plate?
Thanks,

moparzrule
12-29-2005, 10:22 PM
2.5's put out too much torque...I was putting 300 WHP to an A520 with the moly end plate but with a 2.2, and believe me that was pushing the envelope already. Even a 555 needs the moly plate with that kind of power.

cordes
01-04-2006, 09:29 PM
First of all, a blown up transmission. But once you get one that will hold-

With the .48 housing on the turbo......250-275 WHP/325 ft/lbs
With the .63 housing, 275-300 WHP/350 ft/lbs

I agree. I was thinking 280 tops.

Tony Hanna
01-05-2006, 05:58 PM
Well, hopefully it'll at least last long enough to let me get an idea of what the car is capable of. Any thoughts on the 523? Are they any stronger or just a smoother shifting 520? The main reason I wanted to stay with the 520 instead of the 555 is the higher final drive. I figured it would be better suited to the 2.5's lower rpm powerband.
Thanks,
Tony

cordes
01-05-2006, 11:02 PM
They say that you start pushing the 523 around the 300HP mark give or take with weight of the vehicle in mind.

The biggest advantage of the 523 over the 520 strength wise IMO is the fact that you don't need to run the end plate in it. I also like the way it shifts compared to the 520.

The 523 can be had in 3.50, and 3.77 for sure, and I am not sure as to other FDs.

There is always the option of building a hybrid trans.

moparzrule
01-05-2006, 11:25 PM
The 520 with the end plate can take 300 WHP, I can attest to that. But the low end torque of the 2.5 blows them up, they seem to hold up to 2.2's farely well though.
The 523 is stronger than the 520 no question, but I'm not sure about longevity putting that kind of power to it. Probably your best bet is to build a hybrid like cordes said and put the 3:50 FD in a 555 with the moly plate on it. That tranny will hold serious power if it's in good shape.

Tony Hanna
01-06-2006, 03:37 AM
Ok, thanks guys.
I'll keep my eyes open for a 555 to rework and hope the 520 holds out until it's done. It's all pointless right now until I get the engine done, and if I can't start getting to bed earlier so I can take advantage of the daylight and warmer daytime temps, then that's not going to be very soon.

moparzrule
01-06-2006, 08:33 AM
Why ever attach that tranny to that engine in the first place? Just get a 555 and end plate, live with the gearing but atleast it won't expload, then plan the hybrid later. Plus if you blow up your current 520 there goes your core for the hybrid!

Tony Hanna
01-07-2006, 09:51 PM
Well, 520's are a dime a dozen around here whlie 555's are pretty rare, and I'd kind of like to get this thing together in the very near future. I'm getting ready to move soon and I'd much rather drive the Sundance to the new place than try to haul it. On top of that, I'm afflicted with an extremely short attention span for projects. if I let something sit apart for too long waiting on parts it's likely to never get put back together. Add to that the fact that the work I do is seasonal and the money is short right now and you can see why I'd be ahead to get it back together and then replace parts as time and money allows.
Thanks,

jre97
01-07-2006, 10:04 PM
Why ever attach that tranny to that engine in the first place? Just get a 555 and end plate, live with the gearing but atleast it won't expload, then plan the hybrid later. Plus if you blow up your current 520 there goes your core for the hybrid!
Ah we can pick up 520's for about $75 a piece from the local junk yard. They had four or five the last time I was there and at least one 523.

moparzrule
01-07-2006, 11:13 PM
I see, even 520's are scarce here. I've only ever seen 1 in a yard, never seen a 555 at all.

Tony Hanna
01-07-2006, 11:34 PM
That sucks man. Too bad shipping is so high or it'd be alot more cost effective to move parts from where they are to where they're needed.

jre97
01-07-2006, 11:36 PM
That sucks man. Too bad shipping is so high or it'd be alot more cost effective to move parts from where they are to where they're needed.
And pulling them in the winter at a junkyard sucks. I about froze my stones off pulling those shifter cables and that only took 30 minutes.

Tony Hanna
01-07-2006, 11:45 PM
Yeah. this time of year always sucks around here. I can't wait for late april. More work and better weather to play with TD's between jobs.

GLHSKEN
01-08-2006, 10:21 AM
The 520 with an endplate should handle it fine. Matt is right.. The low (below 3500 rpm) torque of the 2.5 will cause the shafts to flex and the fine tooth gears can tear each other up from the mis-alignment. Driven smart.. it should last a good while though.

Tony Hanna
01-08-2006, 04:42 PM
Thanks for the information Ken! It's not going to get get beat on constantly. I'm planning a switchable boost control hopefully able to go between 14 and 30 psi if I can find a wastegate can that will work over that wide of a range.
I might play around with a dual port can for this. Maybe I can use boost to help hold the w/g closed on the high setting with one. But anyhow, it won't see much of the high setting during normal driving, just the occasional stoplight to stoplight blast, and maybe a trip to the dragstrip or two.
Thanks,

jre97
01-09-2006, 07:57 PM
Thanks for the information Ken! It's not going to get get beat on constantly. I'm planning a switchable boost control hopefully able to go between 14 and 30 psi if I can find a wastegate can that will work over that wide of a range.
I might play around with a dual port can for this. Maybe I can use boost to help hold the w/g closed on the high setting with one. But anyhow, it won't see much of the high setting during normal driving, just the occasional stoplight to stoplight blast, and maybe a trip to the dragstrip or two.
Thanks,
Until you let me drive it! bwa ha ha :evil:

Tony Hanna
01-10-2006, 12:58 AM
Yeah well, considering that you're the only person I can count on to actually come help me fix stuff when it breaks, that doesn't bother me so much...