Most power from a 302

[jstang209]

I just got a fresh long block. and its going to be dropped in ina few days.. i was just wondering with what set up's can i get some real power without removing the engine again.. i hate doing and im always working all by myself.. so i dont think i want to pull an engine again.. So what basically can you do with a 302..its reman block/heads from ford dealer itself. I really want to do a simple H/C/I but the cam install is going to be a prob lol.. will the stock cam hold me back alot?? im thinking about bbk headers, i got o/r H, pulleys and cai.. but im thinkin bout getting trickflow street heat intake with 70mm throttle body and later afr 165's, then maybe novi 1000? i dont no can someone give some ideas i could do with out removing the engine again!! thanks

 

[Racerjoey1]

Is the car a daily driver? If not I would wait until you get the hci combo and install it in the motor while it is on the stand. Either way you could still swap the cam with the engine in the car. You just have to pull the radiator and a/c condenser (if you have ac).

Another option would be to put a supercharger on it. That would probably give you as big of a gain as a HCI setup and it would drive like a stocker under part throttle.

Good luck,
Joey

 

[txstang84]

so, the long block is from a Ford dealership? it's probably got cast, or hyper pistons running about 8.7:1 cr...in either case, they kind of limit you to certain performance upgrades, mostly boost, and/or no2...

the stock cam is very mild...so, it all depends on what you're looking for out of the engine...

I freshened up a friends engine last year and we installed the Y303 heads with an E cam, and a Cobra intake...it runs like a champ and it's 0.030" with cast pistons, but both the machinist and I warned him about power adders...basically, it's a no-no with his combo...

but, keep this in mind, the old "K" code 289 had cast pistons with 10.7:1 cr...so, you can do N/A setups with it, but I'd shy away from the boost or spray...

 

[jstang209]

yea its my daily driver.. im trying to do everything possible without removing the engine heh.. i just hate doing it and dont have any help.. should i mention my car is SD.. o and yea the block is from the ford dealership.. can a cam easily be installed without removing the engine?? but as i was reading theres alot you go to watch for when working with a SD car right? if i do cam my engine it would probably be the last thing i do.. o and what am i looking for? still a daily driver but on the weekends im always at the races.. so daily driver/strip.. the thing is all i ever see are lt1/ls1's out there.. maybe a couple of 5.0's, if anything i would like to own the other 5.0's and hang with the maro's and birds.. i no none of them are heavily modded.. am i talkin about street races btw not at the track

 

[txstang84]

there are several people on here who swear by SD, there's nothing wrong with it, but for the majority of us, it's just a little easier working with MA...there are cams ground specifically for SD 5.0's...I believe Crower probably has the best one, (I just don't know the part number) it's fairly mild, but will give you a marked power increase.

and swapping the cam with the engine in the car isn't that difficult, it's kinda time consuming though...you have to pull the intake, vavle covers, water pump/timing cover, balancer, radiator, condensor core, all associated hardware...

let it suffice to say, if you can get the cam before the engine goes in, it would be much easier to install it on the stand.

on another note, MA conversion harnesses don't cost that much, and only take about two or three hours to install provided that you have the new computer, and mass air meter with plumbing (all can be had on ebay for a fair price)

 

[Drinknbuddy]

First thing you gotta do is sit down and Figure out EXACTLY How much money you have to spend. Thats the biggest thing. Im currently involved in a WHole new motor. Started out with a simple h/C/I swap and turned out a whole new Motor. sheesh. But seriously, I would go with the Mass Air Conversion. You will find more bang for your buck on the Mass air. I think its Summit has a conversion kit, its 24lbs injectors, harness and computer. but its for 5 speed though. thats a start. and maybe look at the Trick flow or Hollye Systemax top end kit. This combo should get ya into the 12s then... Others may disagree....but its your choice...