RNally

Going to be picking up an 82 5.0 this weekend. For now, I am just wanting to build a 450-500 WHP setup for the car. Streetable yet still able to have some fun at the track.

As I've read I see that HP range is the breaking point for the stock 302 block. I am leaning towards a carb motor for price/ease of working on, but always have that turbo thought in the back of my mind.

Car is a 5 speed, so I'm also wanting to know if the stock trans will have to be upgraded for the power, as I'm not against that either.

For budget, not looking to break the bank on this setup, I'll be slowly working on a twin turbo engine to drop in down the road, but want something more then the stock engine for now.

Thanks!

Buck Sergeant

RNally, with your future aspirations you might as well start off on the right foot and save yourself bookoo bucks. Start with a Ford 302 four bolt main "cast iron" block, # M-6010-boss302 or you can also get a four bolt aluminum block. That being done, proceed to a high performance "lower/bottom end kit" to handle boost. Also, don't fool around with trannies, get a TREMEC TKO 500, or 600, and be done with it. Building a 500 plus small block "correctly" is a bit on the expensive side, but worth the investment, and time, in the long run.