302 or 351? Help me decide what to put in my 85 GT!
04-15-2008, 03:45 PM
#1
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Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Thunder Valley, TN
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302 or 351? Help me decide what to put in my 85 GT!
My Mustang blew a head gasket a month or so ago. I could do it the easy way and only fix what is broken but I want something faster. I have a 351or a 302 in the basement I could build. I'd like to see low 12's when it's all done but I don't know if I can afford it. I'm on a low budget.
Has anyone got any suggestions on what the best idea here would be?
Has anyone got any suggestions on what the best idea here would be?
04-15-2008, 07:19 PM
#3
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RE: 302 or 351? Help me decide what to put in my 85 GT!
the only problem doing the 351 is the stuff you forget about..
headers,oil pump,balancer and flywheel,intake,oil pan, if it is efi all the efi parts to support it.
I just got done swapping in my 383, and have well over 6 grand in it(total) to swap everything, and did pay someone else for the labor. all to do on motor what i was doing with the nitrous before...............but the nitrous is just waiting till break in is over.
headers,oil pump,balancer and flywheel,intake,oil pan, if it is efi all the efi parts to support it.
I just got done swapping in my 383, and have well over 6 grand in it(total) to swap everything, and did pay someone else for the labor. all to do on motor what i was doing with the nitrous before...............but the nitrous is just waiting till break in is over.
04-16-2008, 01:26 AM
#4
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RE: 302 or 351? Help me decide what to put in my 85 GT!
I love the 351, but the project is probably going to be more expensive and complex overall than just fixing the head gasket.
If you're on a strict budget, I say stick with the 302.
If you're on a strict budget, I say stick with the 302.
04-16-2008, 01:41 AM
#5
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RE: 302 or 351? Help me decide what to put in my 85 GT!
Whichever I decide on it will be carbureted. I've considered the extra parts I need on a 351. I'm comparing the cost of that vs. the cost of upgrades I'd have to do to make a 302 as fast. Some of the 351 parts I can get used. There is some stock model of oil pan that fits if I can remember which, I can get a used distributer, used intake, possible flywheel if I get it turned.
I plan on doing all the labor except for machine work.
The most expensive part are the heads. I wanted to get aftermarket but everything cost so much. I hava some D0OE 351 heads I could use if I can get bigger valves and port them enough.
As far as a 302, the people locally I've talked to want me to put thousands in the short block and I don't have that. Maybe If I keep a 351 stock enough and use it's size I can build it cheaper?
I plan on doing all the labor except for machine work.
The most expensive part are the heads. I wanted to get aftermarket but everything cost so much. I hava some D0OE 351 heads I could use if I can get bigger valves and port them enough.
As far as a 302, the people locally I've talked to want me to put thousands in the short block and I don't have that. Maybe If I keep a 351 stock enough and use it's size I can build it cheaper?
04-16-2008, 10:35 AM
#8
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Join Date: Apr 2005
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RE: 302 or 351? Help me decide what to put in my 85 GT!
ORIGINAL: mjr46
a stock to mild 351 should easily put down 13's
a stock to mild 351 should easily put down 13's
