Okay....I'm having a difficult time deciding between these two enginge options....stroking my current 302 or buying a junkyard 351w and dropping that in.

The advantage to strokibg my 302 is that I already have a motor to work with...the disadvantages are that my car would be off the road for at least a month (its my daily driver) and safely stroking a 302 to its limits is still less cubes than a 351 stock.

351 advantages are obvious...more cubes; but I think this may be more expensive than a stroked 302. I would likely leave the 351 at stock stroke to keep a reliable DD. I would obviously ovrbore it and completely rebuild it. Plus Id be able to work on this project while still driving my car.

All opinions are greatly appreciated. Im looking for a low 13 high 12 car. Keep in mind whatever I decide to do it'll be done over thr course of six months or more.

 

Do a search on the site, there's plenty of 351w info out there. Things to keep in mind are
-The 302 block is only good for ~500hp, then it starts packing its bags
-You can build a 351 while still driving w/ your 302
-The 351w actually ends up being cheaper (and stronger) in the long run

Like I said, search the site, you'll find everything you need

 

You dont need to stroke a 302 to get it into the 12's. A rebuild wouldnt hurt, but isn't neccessary. But definitly re-ring it. Get a set of TFS, or AFR 185 heads, with TFS you dont need to flycut up to .550 lift. Is your setup going to be carbed or fuel infected? If you go carbed itll be alot cheaper. For carbed setup - Victor jr. intake, 1 5/8" headers (at least), hardened pushrods, call crane or comp cams have a custom grind cam made, UD pulley (at least the crank), and a 750 carb (vacuum sec, or double pumped), youll also need a hi flow fuel pump. And depending on what model stang, foxbody - 3.73 gear, sn-95 or newer - 4.10. That right there should easily run 12's.
-P.

 

I agree, a good head/cam/intake setup on your 302 will give you high 12s. AFR 185s wont fit without pistion cutting either though, but the 165s work extremely well, as do the TFTW on a 302.

 

Personally I have been a 351W fan from the start. The first thing I did with my 88' notch right off the lot, after I tore off the window sticker (bought it new) is gut the engine compartment and build a 408. I have been running 408's ever since. So I like the flexibility of the 351W. It is all about how fast, and how much.

Have fun!

 

for the 351 you need

351 oilpan & pickup tube $131.88

351w headers $219.88

trick flow 351w efi intake $549

if you have a diferent intake now you can get a new base for the 351w, you need a stock efi distrib and a flywheel or flexplate that will come with the engine if you get a complete. the rest your 302 stuff will work. just over $900 would get it in. still cheaper than a low price 347 kit ($1247) and a far superior rod/ stroke ratio for better side loading and ring life. if it were me i would get a 393 crank for $462.95 reuse the stock rods, and get some 302 pistons for a budget 393 stroker. reuse your 5.0's cam and have some serious fun. you will need a 1.5" cowl for the 351 though.

 

need more than that for a 351 swap man...