hello everybody, i have a 1990 f150 302 2wd, and im looking to hopefully increase the power of the motor, but ive been doing some research that says i cant cam the truck, because it is speed density and it will screw up the vacuum of the motor. is that true, and is there anything else i can do to squeeze power from it without spending a fortune?

 

Even though it's still SD, you can swap the cam. I went with Comp Cams 31-255-5 flat tappet cam.

I'm not totally sure, but the lifter bosses may even be taller as in the roller motors that came in late '91 302's. I'm pretty sure the block has been drilled and tapped for the lifter hold down tray as most '90 302's were.

You can also swap a set of GT 40 heads on, and switch to shorties with new exhaust.

More ideas of from other members will come!!

 

Define "spending a fortune". $500 to one person is a drop in the bucket to another.

 

well i would like to spend no more than 1,000ish

 

The cam is tiny and the exhaust is very restrictive. Best bang for the buck is the cam timbersteel suggested and long tube headers with a custom single exhaust. Keep the pipes in the 2.25 to 2.5" range. No need for 3" on an otherwise stock motor. Please....consider a high flow converter. It keeps the air we breath clean and is very reasonably priced these days.

Bump the timing up, open the plug gap to .055". Make sure the cap,rotor and plug wires are good quality and in good shape.

Everything above is Speed Density friendly and will net you some good ponies.

One other thing to consider: what gear is in the truck and what size tires? Anything less than 3.55 even with stock tires needs addressed. Add some more $$ to the budget.

 

ok, im already going to do the the tune up, and the truck currently has a 3.55 non ls rear with a stock size tire on it. my other question is could i put a mustang 302 ho in it?

 

Step 1. Sell 302 truck
Step 2. Buy 460 truck
Step 3. Enjoy.

 

Step 4. Stop at every gas station

 

Step 5. Add larger fuel tanks.

But really trying to get big power out of that engine is pissing into the wind. Sure it's doable but why bother. 460's don't get THAT horrible of mileage, they're known for bad mileage cause there generally in big 4WD trucks and have C6s behind them.

There's just no replacement for displacement when it comes to power. Also the biggest power issue with any Windsor engine is heads, the heads are fantastic with 460s. On top of that you get a stouter drivetrain to go with it.

Odds are pretty good that the value of his current truck plus a grand will get a decent 460 truck. Which will be a much better platform if he wants/needs big power. I don't know what the OP really wants/needs but the option needs to be put out there.

 

Step 5, LOL. You are right. The 302 isn't exactly a fuel efficient motor either. He would be getting more bang for the buck with the 460.

 

For reference, my 95 f250 460/e4od 4.10s, bone stock, will roast the tires all the way into 2nd gear. And halfway through 2nd also. 200k miles. It's just out of breath by what I suspect is about 4,000 RPM (No tach.. )

I get 9-11 mpg.

 

You could put a 351 or a 351 with a longer crankshaft 393 408 etc which would mean new exhaust and if you wanted a new camshaft otherwise it will be a nearly bolt in swap

 

Ha! I do that anyway with my 351. Consider it part of the cost of wanting more power. There ain't no free lunch.

My 94 F-250 460 E4OD 2wd RCLB got 10 MPG. But the nice things was that it was a steady 10 MPG. Didn't matter whether the truck was unloaded or towing, in town or on the highway... you could always count on that. Lol.

My 96 F-150 351 E4OD 4x4 SCSB gets anywhere from 11 MPG (towing) to 17+ (highway, at or just under the speed limit).

 

Try adding a cold air intake.

 

boost is a pretty good equalizer as is technology, not really the right answer in this case though to power problems