Indygabe7

I'm trying to find out more about the fox body HO 5L. I'll put it out there now, I'm a chevy guy who isn't unfamiliar with ford motors, but I don't know much about their technical backgrounds. I'm curious about the HO 5L out of the foxbodies because I will be taking on a Ford Smallblock swap into a '71 F100 of a close friend of mine who's leaving for the military and wants someone to take care of his truck and build it up. We've talked over the idea of doing a fox body 302 swap since his truck has the original 302 swapping wouldn't be too much of a hassle and he wants to go fuel injection. So my questions are: what are the max rev a HO 302 can handle with a mild to heavy build ? What is a realistic horsepower range for these motors without blowing them up? Also any pros/cons to these motors compared to other ford smallblocks? I know it's a lot to answer but I want make sure my buddy gets the best he can for the money, especially going from carbureted to fuel injection

tinman

Before any 'project' is undertaken there should be financing provided for it.....

88 orangepeel notch

6500 rpm, 450-500hp at the crank, all pros-no cons on the Ford smallblock, except some say the stock heads suck lol.

Indygabe7

Thank you, I've searched a few places, but everyone kinda estimates the block's capabilities. I just want to make sure that going this route will be worth it, and yes we've discussed the finances of the project; he'll be leaving the truck with me or at my friend's property and will send money towards the truck when he can, he'll be the primary decision-maker, but right now he's ok with us surprising him with the build, as long as its within the budget and performance range he desires.

uedlose

I would not waste my time with a 302 just move over to a 351W fits the same place a 302 will and is a much better way to go, even more so in a truck. What is his performance range?? Also what is the budget?

Indygabe7

He's wanting 500-600 HP range, and his budget is pretty large, he was contemplating a $12,000 big block, but me and our friend talked to him about another small-block just built up, so he could save some money.

uedlose

408 stroker 351w engine and good heads with a healthy cam and some compression a good intake will get him there with out to many issues. and last like a bad habit. Hell Ford sells crate engines in that range with a warranty. I he wanted to go that way. Stroker 351s make NA power easy. The stock 351w blocks will take that kind of HP easy also. unlike the 302 block that would be on borrowed time at that level.

Indygabe7

yeah I've looked further into it and he's liking the idea of a 351w, since its such a versatile motor. Also parts shouldn't be overly difficult to find for a decent price, even going to EFI wouldn't be as expensive as I thought.