carjam

Hi guys. I have a question for you guys. I am new to this forum and have been going back when i can to read previous post. I have went back 23 pages and it seems that i dont see an answer to a common question I have reently purchased a solid 93 lx convertible for $1500 from a good friend, who offed it cheap. It is going to be my project car over the next few years. I am an electrician not a motor mechanic by no means. I have seen people respond not to buy sportsman crate motors block and build your own cheaper. Which is it? money isnt an option but i dont want to get radical either. I was hoping to stay around $6000.
I am looking for 380-400 hp on motor but i will add a supercharger at a later date so i would like the motor to withhold say....550 hp. Should i use the block i have ? i seen a post say they were rated like 400 i think? and sportsman motors were like 500 if i remember right?
I know you guys are probably sick of answering this question, but i havent found where any 2 people have really agreed on anything. Any knowledge you guys have would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks for your time in reading my long post

r.barn

351W conversion


351W short block bored out .03 for 357ci, balanced, oil pump, stock crank and rods, ARP bolts, forged dish pistons. shoot for 9-9.5:1 c/r if plan on boost.
flywheel, balancer, 0 decked, with CompCams XFI stroker roller cam ........ $2,500
AFR 185 heads ............ $1,300
TrickFlow intake ......... $550
Distrib for F-250 trk ......... $200 or cheaper
injectors ................ $300
fuel pump ............ $100
gaskets and other stuff for swap ........ $500

Total ............apx $5,500

Pretty much what you see in my sig and what it cost. I'm expecting 425+hp at the flywheel.

351W in stock form is MUCH stronger than a 302 and can handle 600+hp.

you will have some other small cost in there to from
stuff i missed like cowl hood, but not much.

randy78045

Why would i be answering this post twice in two different places... [&:]

The 351w is a good choice also...

carjam

sorry to the admins. Not sure why it double posted. guess i mucked it up

ikeybmg

If you don't build your own you have to add in labor cost also. Which can be up there for a complete build. 351 would be a good choice though, for real. You can stroke it and have even more power.

hellas85stang

yeah a 351w with heads decked good pistons and accssories..will be faily cheap..6g is alot on a motor you can get alot for that..over 550 hp on a stock 302 block wont hold..351w is a lil stronger... guy here at CUSTOM MACHINE SHOP //tod is his name a big FORD GUY will rebuild a 351w to a 393 stroker long blockaround 3500.00 is a screamer...but suddle

88BlueGT

I have of people running 700hp on 351W blocks.... especially if they are pre 74 blocks. They are much stronger.

gspfunk

Several people here are running 500-550 rwhp on stock 302 blocks, but they had them tuned so they are safe. That is pushing the limits of the stock block, though.

Your best option for 350rwhp is to stroke the 302 out to a 347 (forged pisons and rods if you're going to boost it later), hi ports, track heats, or AFR 185 heads, TFS stage 2 cam, long tubes w/ full exhaust; rpm2, or track heat intake; 30# injectors w/ larger, calibrated MAF; 70mm TB; etc.

If that sounds like too much then a 351 build up is your only other real choice......the 347 or 351 shortblocks can be had for under $2500, longblocks are more, but would be a better deal if you can get them w/ the components you want.

88BlueGT

If I were to ever pull my motor without a doubt I would go 351W...

7upedition

Welcome Carjam...first off as you have seen your going to get varied opinion on what build up to use [&:], confusing i know but try to sort out the opinion from the facts. Also with a vert your going to want to strengthen the chasis the best you can... since the top doesn't offer an ounce of stability. Subframes, upper/lower control arms, weldin torque boxes, springs and struts are a must, my vert has terrible body roll, of course quality/price are going to vary from one manufatucturer to another. As for the motor, it is possible to break 500 hp on a 302 block, if you choose to go the 302 block i'd recomend a DSS short block 331stroker with a girdle for strength, forged internals, then add a top end kit of your choice, many guys are fans of AFR 165's & 185's, with comp cams, and intake of your choice. I personally like the trickflow street/track heat kits. Then down the road add a blower with 8-11 psi and your into the hp range your looking for. If you choose to go 351w (which im not an expert on) talk with r.barn or vristang, they have experience with these motors, from my understanding an older blueprinted and balanced 351 block will handle 600 hp....thats alot! Either way best of luck to you and your build hope i helped a lil.