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302 performance

  • Thread starter Thread starter SBFswap
  • Start date Start date Jan 14, 2009
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SBFswap

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Looking for a little info on 302 buildups, or possibly a good thread or two.
I am swapping a 302 in my car. The best these cars do with a stock 302 (that I have found online) was a 12.2 1/4mile. Im looking to break 10's so im sure heads, intake, and mild cam would get me there. Might throw a 75 shot at it eventually. I plan to bolt this up to a T5 trans.
Can ported stock heads keep up with an aftermarket intake and mild cam? Or would I have to go with aftermarket to get the full benefit? Also, What is a popular intake and cam for this setup?
 
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DeVus1

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#2
  • Jan 14, 2009
  • #2
Best write up on a 302 swap here
 

Bullitt347

I have been doing it wrong this whole time
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#3
  • Jan 14, 2009
  • #3
You could try the search button on this site first. There are LOTS of discussions about what you seek.
 

NIKwoaC

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#4
  • Jan 14, 2009
  • #4
DeVus1 said:
Best write up on a 302 swap here
Click to expand...



By the way, Unless you strip anything and everything out of the car, run 13:1 compression and spin the motor to 7000, you ain't gettin a NA 302 into the 10s.
 

BlownFiveLiter

have car, will race....wait, it doesn't run
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#5
  • Jan 14, 2009
  • #5
You're lucky if you hit 11's with HCI with a nasty cam, gears, and a good tune. Getting into the 10's is going to very likely require some sort of power adder.
 

Cobra_Dusten

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#6
  • Jan 14, 2009
  • #6
StangGT1995 said:
You're lucky if you hit 11's with HCI with a nasty cam, gears, and a good tune. Getting into the 10's is going to very likely require some sort of power adder.
Click to expand...



NikwoaC said:


By the way, Unless you strip anything and everything out of the car, run 13:1 compression and spin the motor to 7000, you ain't gettin a NA 302 into the 10s.
Click to expand...

you guys are so negative. My buddy, a member on this board, had a full weight(3500lbs) cobra running a 347 that went 11.20 @ 120. Completely N/A.

That motor when into a stripped down notch and ran 10.80's before trashing the tranny...

And FWIW his compression is only 11.25:1
 
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SBFswap

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This swap isnt going into a mustang. Its going into a 2600lb 280z. From what I have read, a stock 302 in one of these cars can run a 12.2. You dont think a N/A 302 can knock off 2.2 seconds with thoughs mods?
 

BlownFiveLiter

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#8
  • Jan 15, 2009
  • #8
Cobra_Dusten said:
you guys are so negative. My buddy, a member on this board, had a full weight(3500lbs) cobra running a 347 that went 11.20 @ 120. Completely N/A.

That motor when into a stripped down notch and ran 10.80's before trashing the tranny...

And FWIW his compression is only 11.25:1
Click to expand...

Think the extra 45 cubic inches had anything to do with it, versus a stock bottom end 302? I would imagine a well thought out combo with 11.25:1 compression and probably a 6,500+ RPM redline would be capable of some nice HP/TQ figures and 1/4 mile times. Kinda apples to oranges though, since we weren't really talking about a stroker combo, but rather a stock 302.

SBFswap said:
This swap isnt going into a mustang. Its going into a 2600lb 280z. From what I have read, a stock 302 in one of these cars can run a 12.2. You dont think a N/A 302 can knock off 2.2 seconds with thoughs mods?
Click to expand...

I don't foresee any stock E7 headed engine running a 12.2, at least not in a Mustang. The guys running in the Factory Stock class might see those times, but they have a plethora of secrets that they use, and they're also allowed to run things like GT40 heads, lightweight valvetrain components, and multi-angle valve jobs, too. Perhaps their biggest benefit is the driver mod, however. I'm betting the 12.2 time you saw was a HCI car. That definitely sounds a lot more reasonable.
 
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SBFswap

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#9
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So you dont think a stock 5.0L could run a 12.2 if it were 900lbs lighter?!?!?!
What do stock 5.0L stangs run?
 

BlownFiveLiter

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#10
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I don't believe it would, no. I could see a low 13 second time, or maybe a high 12 if you're really giving it all it's got. They're mid-low 14 second cars stock.
 
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SBFswap

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Do you think a 331 stroker would break 10's on motor?
 

FastDriver

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#12
  • Jan 15, 2009
  • #12
Don't build a 331 unless you have a very specific reason to. Go 347, and 10s are not a problem with a good combination of parts.

For example:

347 @ > 10.5:1
AFR185 heads
custom cam
RPMII, or systemax 2 intake
1 3/4" Long-tubes and 3" exhaust
all the regular bolt-ons and a custom tune should get you more than 400rwhp.

My car dynoed at 311 rwhp, but probably made about 320 when it went 11.96@112.9 mpg in a car that weighed 2976lbs w/o driver and 3160 w/ driver. With better than 400 rwhp and 2600 lbs, you should be able to get well into the 10s.

Also depends how aggressive you want to get. I know of guys who have put down 400rwhp in a very high revving 302, and a guy I have spoken with put down 462 rwhp on the stock block with a hydro-roller cam in a 347. You would really have to know what you were doing to get where he did, but 400 rwhp is easily attainable if you have the money for the parts.

Chris
 

NIKwoaC

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#13
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SBFswap said:
This swap isnt going into a mustang. Its going into a 2600lb 280z. From what I have read, a stock 302 in one of these cars can run a 12.2. You dont think a N/A 302 can knock off 2.2 seconds with thoughs mods?
Click to expand...

This makes more sense. I can see how a 2600 lb car could get deep into the 12s on a stock motor 302, if it had all the supporting drivetrain and suspension components.

10s still might be a stretch with a 302, but with that light of a car, its more do-able. Go with what FastDriver said, that stroker combo will get you deep into the 10s.
 
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SBFswap

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The 302 swap actually makes the car 40lbs lighter then it is stock with its straight 6.
Would there really be a benefit of going 347stroker over 351w. The 351w is a bit heavier but still lighter then a chevy 350. There are just as many full size broncos as there are mustangs in the salvage yard. I can easily obtain a start on either of these blocks.
 

FastDriver

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Not sure on that one. At nearly identical displacement, I think I'd rather have the 347. The 302 is a more compact and lighter motor with a lighter rotating assembly. That said, it's probably easier for you to get a 351 than it is to get a 302 and stroke it.

Chris
 
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Rick James

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#16
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  • #16
Go for the 351,its not too much heavier,its a stronger block and if you stroke it to a 408 with good heads and cam,you should be a LOW 10 second ride easily.
 

DocG

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#17
  • Jan 15, 2009
  • #17
Interesting concept. If you ever do it, post it up!

Ever given thought to a 350 swap instead?
 

ttop88

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#18
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Are you looking to be injected or doing a carb set up? A 351 stroked to 393cid with a victor jr and an 850 carb would get you in the 10s CHEAP. Traction will be the biggest issue. You could put the juice to it and go 9s(although it would probably scare the average person to death in one of those cars)
 
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SBFswap

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I have considered the sbc 350 swap because it is very popular with the older nissan Z family.
However, I have always been a Ford guy myself and I know several people who only have mustangs. One of which is an amazing tuner.
I can scrape up a T5 and a 302 like its nothing around here.
If I do decide to go spray, would a T5 hold up to a 10 sec car?
 

FastDriver

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#20
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No.
 
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