how strong are 302 stock blocks?like how much power can they handle?

 

I hear 450 HP and thats pushing it.

 

stock 302 blocks are only good to about 550-600hp. Then they'll usually split down the center of the lifter valley. But it has alot to do with a proper tune and how you make that hp, such as with the aid of nitrous or a s/c. Those engines make their hp more violently, so it all depends on the tune and the method in which the hp is made. But even then, not much over 600, i wouldn't risk running that much power personally. But 550 is probabally safe.

 

yea ive heard everything but i would say snake is correct, though ive heard of people going up to 600hp. my opinion is not over 450. anything higher is not worth the chance of losing all your internals.

 

ive seen 572 on a stock short block

 

I know of two people running around 550 on stock block, both are 347's. One has over 55,000 miles on bottom end and has rebuilt top end twice. He's put around 30 passes on it since i've known him and i have no idea how many before that. So it can be done. Tune it good if you go past 450 as stated above.
But it is all about the tune and the assembly process, take care of it and it will last. People running high hp on any engine take all the time and care they possibly can to assemble those engines, thats where you get the stories from people running 550-600hp on stock blocks. And alot also has to do with the rpm range you operate in. If i was running past 450hp i wouldnt push it past 6000rpm just to be safe.

 

a stock capacitied 5.0L 302 motor will hold ~450hp. After, you're washing your floors with coolant.

 

everyone has a different oppinion on this subject. personally ive seen 650rwhp on a stock block but that only lasted 8 runs down the track. the 9th run the block split in 2.
i have heard lots of stories about 550rwhp stock block motors lasting a long time. if the engine is built well and you dont shift at some rediculously high rpm, you should be able to do 500-550rwhp

 

we are refering to the stock BLOCK not the stock SHORT BLOCK. Although the stock cranks can sustain about 750ish hp. Usually a block breaks long before your crank is in danger of breaking. This is a tricky question to really give a definitive answer to though. There are so many variables. I mean in a 600hp engine with different tolerances than a stock 225hp 302. You can go a couple hundred miles over a oil change and throw a rod or something like that on a hard run. It has ALOT to do with the tune and how you take care of the eninge.And as lucky 13 said, shifting at some rediculously high rpm.

 

what are you talking about?? he wants to know about the block. not the parts that make up his short block.