Build 302 Or Swap For Crate?

robertdeuce · Feb 2, 2017

I'm looking to upgrade the motor in my 89 vert and I was wondering which direction I should go in.

I was thinking either rebuild the stock 302 with a vortech v3 supercharger
Or swap it out for a new crate motor.

My goal is to get somewhere near 500hp and not break the bank. Any suggestions?

RaggedGT · Feb 2, 2017

Is your current 302 healthy ?

90sickfox · Feb 2, 2017

Get your motor built at a local machine shop. A lot of crate motors use core blocks. You never know what they've been through. At least take it to someone to have them check it out first.

If you can pull your motor and tear it down it'll be a lot cheaper to have the block checked. Having a motor built for you means you know exactly what's in it.

If you've got the money then a crate motor long block could be a good option. Some crate motor companies don't tell you exactly what your engine has been bored out to...or the bearing sizes.

I've installed a bunch of crate motors and haven't had an issue yet. I'm just the kind of guy that likes to know what's in my engine.

If you buy a crate motor figuring compression ratio can be tricky or almost impossible. Not knowing head gasket thickness, if the heads are decked, and what size over bore can alter what you expect to get out of a combo.

Now, if you can get all that info with it....then definitely go for it.

robertdeuce · Feb 2, 2017

I just did a Google Search and a thread popped up from a forum where people were saying a 302 block can't handle 500whp. Is that true?

CarMichael Angelo · Feb 2, 2017

robertdeuce said:
I just did a Google Search and a thread popped up from a forum where people were saying a 302 block can't handle 500whp. Is that true?

Yep.

mikestang63 · Feb 2, 2017

robertdeuce said:
I just did a Google Search and a thread popped up from a forum where people were saying a 302 block can't handle 500whp. Is that true?

it depends. plenty of guys making that and more..plenty of guys splitting the blocks in half making much less hp. It's a combination of luck of the draw, having a proper tune, and how high you spin the motor.

90lxwhite · Feb 2, 2017

What about a short block and you can use the topend of your choice?

Mustang5L5 · Feb 3, 2017

If you genuinely want to put down 500+ whp, I'd probably start with a crate motor. With a goal like that, I'd consider it wise to investing in a quality motor to start as your foundation

A5literMan · Feb 3, 2017

Fordstrokers.com

02 281 GT · Feb 3, 2017

THE LIBERATOR.

robertdeuce · Feb 3, 2017

How would I know if the 302 that is in the car now is any good to build off of? It starts and drives that's all I know but is there something more specific that I need to look for?

robertdeuce · Feb 3, 2017

Or should I just drive the car the way it is and build a motor on the side?

Boosted92LX · Feb 3, 2017

robertdeuce said:
How would I know if the 302 that is in the car now is any good to build off of? It starts and drives that's all I know but is there something more specific that I need to look for?

How many miles on that engine? Does it smoke or use a lot of oil? Have you run a compression test? If it's still in fair shape, doesn't have a ton of miles, and has good compression.. just put a set of decent heads, intake, cam, and a vortech on it. That will make 500 all day, and everything in the stock bottom end can handle it.. unless it's worn out.

Boosted92LX · Feb 3, 2017

I'll add to my above post, no point in spending a ton of money replacing stock bottom end parts if 500hp is your final goal.. it's pointless simply because a healthy stock bottom end is completely capable. If you have that, focus on boost and hci.

And if this sounds redundant and odd, I'm on nights and just woke up, lol.

85ragtop · Feb 3, 2017

You said you didn't want to break the bank. What is your budget mate?

robertdeuce · Feb 3, 2017

It has 222000 kms doesn't burn oil or smoke but I'm not sure about the compression though. I might just buy a separate 302 block and build it from scratch.

robertdeuce · Feb 3, 2017

Budget is probably around 5000-7000 ish

90lxwhite · Feb 3, 2017

robertdeuce said:
Budget is probably around 5000-7000 ish

Might not be enough unless you're buying used. A "small" topend can get close to $3k (170cc ish heads) after all the stuff to make it work is figured in, and a supercharger is antother $2k+. $5k there and you haven't touched the block. I think a 170cc topend combo and a 6-8 lb psi would get you around 400 at the wheels.

85ragtop · Feb 3, 2017

90lxwhite said:
Might not be enough unless you're buying used. A "small" topend can get close to $3k (170cc ish heads) after all the stuff to make it work is figured in, and a supercharger is antother $2k+. $5k there and you haven't touched the block. I think a 170cc topend combo and a 6-8 lb psi would get you around 400 at the wheels.

I'm inclined to agree. Years ago I paid 2700 for my head's alone. One of my mates got a good set of used trick flow r's for 700. I was never so lucky.

90lxwhite · Feb 3, 2017

85ragtop said:
I'm inclined to agree. Years ago I paid 2700 for my head's alone. One of my mates got a good set of used trick flow r's for 700. I was never so lucky.

And then figure in whatever machine shop labor would be to clean up used heads. I'd have to at least.

Build 302 Or Swap For Crate?

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