Ok, so I'm getting ready to make some upgrades to my engine. I have a 302 that came with tri-y headers and it's pretty quick, but just not quick enough (is there such a thing?). The engine runs real solid and I don't want to replace it so I'm wondering...what's the biggest badest engine you can build on a 302 block? I was going to CAM it up, but now I'm thinking I'm going to go all out. What kind of a beast can I turn this thing into for say $3 - $5k??

 

Stroke it and blow it, but you cannot have the baddest 302 for your budget.
Good heads, cam and nox is a may be, but with a power adder be sure to build the bottom end for the punishment.

 

For sure stroke it.I storked mine to a 347 with twisted wedge heads and trickflow track heat intake.it produced 486 hp at the flywheel.The shortblock cost around 5700.00 U.S..So you may need to increase your budget.

 

on that note...is it cheaper to stroke my existing 302 to a 347, or buy a 347 short block and put all my accessories on that?


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If you have some knowhow on engines it is cheaper to use yours.most of your parts will work.If its injected your stock injectors will need changing but the stock rails are good to about 500 hp before upgrading them.a bigger fuel pump,adjustable fuel pressure gauge,cam ,mass air meter,throttle body,good flow filter etc.Remember the snowball effect,everything from cooling the new monster to getting all that new power to the ground needs to be upgraded.I lost track of my last build on a 90 fox body after about 20 grand.no body or interior work involved just power...

 

Ok...so let's change the parameters here and say that the budget has been increased to $15k (and the boss [wife] was all for it).What would you do for all out tire shredding g-force launching power? What if money weren't an option, but you had to work with a 302 block?

 

Hold on if money wasnt an option i would be using a roush crate motor not screwing around with a 302.if i was to build another i would be using the 4.6 base,

 

My first Mustang had 245 RWP and it was a lot of fun. Before pulling the motor out of my fastback it had 335 RWP with a crappy intake manifold and it was still difficult to put the power to the ground with street tires.

IMO, for a street car, anything more than 400 hp at the flywheel is likely going to be nothing more than an egotrip unless there are some other serious mods. If I were you, and I was a few months ago, I'd either sell your engine and buy a nice crate motor in the 400 hp range for well less than $5000 or replace your heads, intake, cam, carb and headers for a touch over $2000. Either way, you're gonna' be moving.

FWIW, for a mere $3200, my new 302 is 375hp/394ft-lb. and I have probably another $1000 in the carb and headers. I have little doubt that it'll be more than enough.

Good luck!

 

according to desktop dyno 2000 (and im sure its not accurate but its gotta give a idea) my 302 is making a touch over 400 hp at the flywheel without taking into account roller rockers, port matching, and improved ignition. that should put me at 425 respectively but again thats just the computer talking. also this is from a naturally asperated carburated motor with no juice and using stock block, crank, rods (arp bolts) and early 351w casting heads.

i know more power is possible with aftermarket heads and such - but to me theres something to be said about building the baddest thing you can using "stock" ford parts. maybe im just a romantic

 

What about a blower, 2000$ for 40% more horse with a weiand 174 blower? I was looking into that option now that i have the engine rebuilt, although... stock heads, but ported! -Jon