351W or 331? Can't decide!

[FiveOCapri79]

I'm seriously debating whether or not I'll stroke my 5.0 or just drop in a healthy 351W. Along with either combo, I'll most likely be using a set of AFR 185's with it. I was already going to buy new headers for my car(crappy Flowtech's on right now) so it would seem a 351W would be the way to go. Give me some ideas here.

 

[DarkMesa8]

I'm in the same debate, here is my price comparison... so price is not that big of an object.

http://forums.stangnet.com/showthread.php?t=529739

 

[92GreenGT]

Do whatever you feel, both make great power.

 

[stock 92 gt]

351 too hot.....
302 too cold.....
331 just rigggghhhhtttttt.

 

[stang120gt]

if it was me i would do a 331 cause it will save you some weight but they both make great power

 

[04sleeper]

if it was me i would do a 331 cause it will save you some weight but they both make great power

Also with the 331 you don't have to buy all the swap parts.

 

[FiveOCapri79]

I kind of like the fact that the 351W block will be stronger for future plans such as a turbo. As far as the exhaust goes, I was buying going to buy new headers(probably the BBK longtubes). Another thing that made me curious is why someone said the 351 was too hot?

 

[04sleeper]

I kind of like the fact that the 351W block will be stronger for future plans such as a turbo. As far as the exhaust goes, I was buying going to buy new headers(probably the BBK longtubes). Another thing that made me curious is why someone said the 351 was too hot?

Stronger? Maybe than a standard 302 but you could always opt for a stronger block with the 331 as well.

As far a being too hot, I think he was refering to Goldilocks and the Three Bears kind of comparision.

 

[mackey]

Go with the 351w. When you rebuild it some day or when you get tired of that amount of power, you can always up it to a 418!! So a few pounds is added on. You gain a stronger block, and more cubes. More cubes = more power.

 

[2000xp8]

IMO regardless of what you do the 351 is a waste of time and money.

You can buy the FMS 347 which is built from the sportman block for 2300 complete. Comes with hyper pistons and forged rods, nadular crank. But you can upgrade to forged pistons if you like.
You'd be hard pressed to build a 331 any cheaper than that, and you get a block that will handle your turbo. It will also save major time. I've seen it put 440 to the wheels NA with good heads and a victor EFI intake.

351 is a bit more of a hassle, it's heavier, and you need all the 351 swap parts. Kind of a vanity swap, so you can say that you have a 351.

 

[astronut1885]

a 351W with aluminum heads will weigh as much as a stock 302 with irons. 351 swaps are a pain, and a 331 makes nice power. If nothing else, you can always add boost to a nice 331, and save all the custom crap that comes with a 351. I've looked into this at great length, and I settled on the 331 if I do anything.

 

[FiveOCapri79]

IMO regardless of what you do the 351 is a waste of time and money.

You can buy the FMS 347 which is built from the sportman block for 2300 complete. Comes with hyper pistons and forged rods, nadular crank. But you can upgrade to forged pistons if you like.
You'd be hard pressed to build a 331 any cheaper than that, and you get a block that will handle your turbo. It will also save major time. I've seen it put 440 to the wheels NA with good heads and a victor EFI intake.

351 is a bit more of a hassle, it's heavier, and you need all the 351 swap parts. Kind of a vanity swap, so you can say that you have a 351.

I looked into with and it doesn't come with the sportsman block. There's a more expensive version of this from Ford that runs about $3100 and it has the sportsman block. I really don't want to have to resort to using a "better block" since they run between $850-2500. Another reason about the Sportsman block is that I don't think it'll hold what I'd like it to hold.

 

[donsbad68]

Yo woody, check you IM's! P.S. stroker all the way. I'll hook you up with my machinist.

 

[Camman]

honestly if i was in your shoes I would try to decide if I wanted to go fast in a straight line or around corners...

 

[BaXTeR3221]

I think i would go with the 351, because if you have plans for more power in the future, you already have the stronger block and since you need headers anyway, you have eliminated one of the major swap components.

 

[Modular2v]

I just ordered my 331 kit for my 88 lx.....got forged probe pistons, forged eagle rods and forged scat crank for $1083 and that includes rings, bearings and balancing from Performance Automotive Warehouse. a bunch of people are using 331 setups around here and running low 11s

 

[Modular2v]

dons can u hook me up with a machinest? LOL i need my blocked worked over to accomodate the 331 lol

 

[shootme5150]

honestly if i was in your shoes I would try to decide if I wanted to go fast in a straight line or around corners...

What do you mean by that? I mean... I know what you mean, but what does this thread have to do with straight vs cornering?

 

[ExplodingGopher]

351 too hot.....
302 too cold.....
331 just rigggghhhhtttttt.

So whats mine...LOL

 

[Camman]

What do you mean by that? I mean... I know what you mean, but what does this thread have to do with straight vs cornering?

Well, the 302 based bock is much better suited to an auto-x car than a 351 would be. Higher cg, more mass etc... So my point would be a 331 for the twisties, or all out power for straight line I would go with a 351. Just my opinion