You'd be better off going to a Windsor engine. The 4"x3" (bore x stroke for the 302)likes to rev and gives you plenty of room for valves that will breather. A 289 is also a goodchoice with a 4" bore and 2.87" stroke. Another option would be a 427FE. With its 4.23" bore and 3.78" stroke, this engine provide a lot of grunt, but still likes to rev, especially with the hi-rise heads.

 

Destroking/stroking doesn't have to be done to accomplish a rod ratio change. Do you even know what the rod ratio in your engine is right now?