w8less

ok i just got a 351w block i wanna build up but i have some friends telling me that my 95gt 302 block is stronger than my 72 windsor block so could u all clear this up for me cause i wanting to stroke the windsor. so which is stronger the 351w or the 302?

NeoTokyo

Hmmm, if im not mistaken I would say the 72' is stronger. You have to realize that they have more nickel content back in the day which made them stroker, also those engines were MADE for horsepower.

Now for stroking purposes you can get further with a 351W then a 302W, TMD on ebay sells a 427 stroker kit that is something awesome. Its $1280 for the complete bottom end with all connecting bolts and bearings and rings, its a 4340 steel crank by Eagle, Manly 4340 H-Beam rods and MAHL or Probe forged pistons. Its $179 more for ARP bolts.

Now for the 302 you are more limited to stroking, 347 is the largest I have seen but I bet that you can go further. Its an 80 cube difference between the two blocks. 80 cubes can mean 80 extra ponies at the BARE MINIMUM!

Now depending on your state, that block wont pass smog. It must be 94-present block to pass smog with your states or better smog equipment. California is the worst!

What I would suggest is go find a 95'-up Van with a 351W in it and get that, it has more power in the fact that its a roller engine. For cars and trucks look for 97-up to get a roller engine. Of course you can make yours roller too.

Now everyone has a huge problem with how horrible the heads are on 302's and 351's. Even aftermarket heads suck. What you need to do is make it a Clevor, get a set of 351 Cleveland 4V heads and stick those on. All you have to do is fill one water passage in the front of each head and drill a new passage into your block, then slap a great Cleveland intake on it and be done. There are also companies that make great MPFI systems. You can do that to the 302 or the 351. Esentially what you are doing is makeing a BOSS engine. Thats the way I would go. I have a 94' GT 302 block that I am playing with and doing the same thing, and Im using a TMD rotating assembly for it. But my brainchild is putting my 03' Mach1 stroker 302 into that car. Now thats something you dont see everyday. 32 valves of NA shaker hood 302 stroker FURY ARH ARH ARH ARH!!!!!!!!!!!

Anyways, good luck with your build, whichever you may choose.

Also, I work at pick-n-pull and a person doing any kind of engnie build would be stupid to pass up a peak into the lot to see what we have, believe it or not but we get alot of performance items in and 351C 4V heads are not a rareity.

Also if you dont like how heavy the cast iron heads are then you can get aluminum Cleveland heads for the car. And if you dont like how junky low RPM is on the 4V heave but love the 2V torque then the 3V aussie aluminum head will be your choice. Here is a link to that. Home Page and 3V dyno specs and info.


Hope I helped a little bit.

-Eric-