there is really only one way to determine the limits of the short block. i would like a little bit more, but if i dont get some stickier tires on it wont do me any good this side of 80mph. I honestly think that will stand for most people. I currently run the RE11s 305/30/19 and the poor things just do not stand a chance. Not many people are willing to run a more aggressive tire than that, so I think the 500-525rwhp range is probably a good target for people.

I would like to grab a nice set of 18x12 and put on some 335 drag radials or R888, but I am not a huge fan of spending big bucks on a custom wheel just to drag race on occasionally. If anyone knows of a cheap *** 18x12 I could use, let me know! With that type of tire setup, could probably handle a pretty significant jump in power.

I DO still want to turn up the boost on the dyno and see whats going on, I am starting to feel like perhaps 600rwhp wouldnt be all that big of a deal on this engine, especially for someone who doesnt constantly beat the snot out of the car.

For pistons, I plan to run a 10:1 piston, but i wouldnt leave the rods stock, they should be upgraded too. I think stock compression would work out, but its impossible to speculate where you will start losing stability in combustion without trying. i would hate to put in some stock CR pistons and find myself having issues running into knock just past 600rwhp, a number that i could have run on a stock engine. I think I will go down to 10:1, it shouldnt destroy the natural characteristics of the engine noticably and it makes me feel like i may get a bit more headroom. But who knows, this engine is really great... perhaps people will find stock CR allowing them to take power very far. I suppose the E85 I run may help with that?

phunk, for wheels look at what the Mustang guys run at the drag strip, they have the same bolt pattern as the Z so if any of those guys run 18x11-12 they are usually cheaper wheels. Those guys hate spending a lot on wheels just for drag racing also.

not a bad idea really i will take a look and see if i can find anything

That's actually what I did. I bought some Mustang Saleen replicas that are 18x10+22. I couldn't find anything wider, unless they were 15" or 16" wheels.

Ya i definitely need to dig up something wider than that if I am going to use an 18"

Wish I could go E85 like you did. There are NO public E85 stations in MD that I can find, so everytime I go home to visit will suck. TX has quite a few, but I may just do a race fuel mix to tide me over when I turn up the boost.

How do you like the E85? Good fuel economy? Nice power?

tune your car so it limits power per gear so you have traction and thus maximum acceleration for the amount of traction that you have.

newer boost controllers and EMS's can do this.

I like E85 in the following ways:

*cheaper than 100 octane, by far, i believe i currently pay $3.30
*once you get used to the smell, its more pleasant in a car without cats than gasoline is... my clothes dont stink after 2 hours in the car, and the entire car doesnt smell like exhaust
*higher octane

i dislike it because

*pain in the *** to get. more than half the "e85 stations" listed on the websites that locate for you, no longer carry it. i believe e85 was a trend that is dying... i was expecting it to be much more available but its actually quite a hassle to get it.
* not a huge deal but the loss in mileage is noticable once the fuel level gauge is down around 1/3, it starts moving REAL fast down once it gets there. 1/3 tank is the point where i cannot risk taking the car anywhere but towards an e85 station, because it will drop LEDs way faster than you expect and next thing you know youre empty. i have ran out of gas only once so far, luckily i had enough speed to coast into the station and stop 5 feet short of the e85 pump

if its available in someones area, i would say its great for anyone on a stock engine because with 1000cc injectors and an aeromotive stealth pump, you are able to achieve the power levels that you would want to run the stock engine on. its a rather clean combination.

literally my cars HP upgrades are only; Greddy TT, Greddy exhaust, id1000cc injectors, aeromotive stealth fuel pump, DIY osiris tune.. boom over 500rwhp all day... starts up like stock. i love the combo and e85 is part of it so that means i love it too. im sure this all could have been possible on gasoline too, but i would have chosen 720cc or so injectors and just a regular walbro 255 pump.

7400 miles turbo now!!! racking them up. over 35k on this poor car :(

you are absolutely right!!!

however, i am not at the HP level yet that i feel this is appropriate. i need at least 500rwhp to hold traction in first gear, second should be able to hold down 550-600rwhp. without this much useable power in those gears, the car will not perform how i want it to. Based on my experiences with my 350z, I think this is possible with proper alignment and 305 or wider R888s. so this is my goal! once i get into big leagues horsepower (which wont happen on the stock short block) i will definitely integrate these functions of modern boost controllers.

while there is amusement to be found in rolling burnouts, when its race time, its gets very frustrating to not get to use all the horsepower you worked so hard or paid someone else to work so hard to achieve. why spend more money to limit that power back down?!?! Not yet! For what the car has right now, I want to use it all.

White Dragon v. Phunk, oh what dreams are made of....

E85 is readily available in my area and pretty cheap. Right now I have full bolt ons and it will be awhile before I go F.I. Would I see any gains other than saving at the pump with an e85 conversion?

E85 is cheaper per gallon but you need 30% more fuel, and thus your mpg drops quite a bit. You could likely run more timing but I doubt the results would be huge over 93 without boost.

i dont think you will see any gains from switching to E85 in a bolt on car, but it might be possible. Of course you will need an Uprev Osiris custom tune to run it, it might not hurt to try!

I had no idea that you needed more fuel with that setup. I will have everything it takes to mak it happen, except a station to fill up at. Still kicking around the idea though. Thanks for the info.

hmm might make it a winter project, considering I don't daily drive the car mileage wouldn't really be an issue. I have an UpRev tune so I guess it would be a matter of larger injectors, fuel pump and a retune. I know UpRev allows for multiple maps so wouldn't it be possible to have an e85 tune and a 93 tune? Also when I go F.I. I could still use the injectors and fuel pump, it would be nice to see what an N/A Z could do and the savings at the pump would be sweet!