I have a 2 barrel 302, can I put a 4 barrel carb and intake on it, or do I have to change the heads first?

 

Hi,

Yup, I believe that you can swap the intake as a single conponent without messing with the heads.

If yer looking for some performance upgrades with this swap I would also consider getting a free flowing duel exhaust system with headers.

Good luck,

 

i would consider the edelbrock 1406 600cfm carb. it is 249 dollars and is a great trouble free carb. also i have the weiend street avenger 4bbl. intake and it too works and looks great. it was 150 i think. for the auto tranny you need to buy an extra kit for the kickdown

 

No head modifications are needed. You would be just as well off with a 500cfm Edelbrock carb. With a stock engine, it will probably be better.
You would have to turn about 6900rpm to use 600 cfm in a 302. A 500cfm carb is capable of feeding a 302 up to 5800rpm, though a stock motor will probably see much over 4500.
Jimmy

 

So I don't need to upgrade to bigger valves or anything?

 

Nope. Depending onwhat you want to do with this thing. If you go incresing valve sizes ans porting the heads, you will make more power, but it will be at a higher rpm and you will lose low end torque, which it what a heavy truck needs. A 302 doesn't hav alot to lose anyway. I would suggest an Edelbrock Performer intake with a 500cfm Edelbrock carb. A set of headers and true dual exhaust with mufflers like Flowmaster, Dynomax, Borla, or something of that nature.
This will help the engine breathe better withiut sacrificing low end drivability. You lose velocity in the heads when they are ported and have larger valves. Unless you are building a healthy race engine, then it will hurt more than it will help.
So just go withthe carb,intake and recommended exhaust system an it shoud run a lot better.
Jimmy

 

thanks man

 

touching on the same topic, i was planning on getting an intake assembly from an 84 mustang and bolting it to the 302 in my 83 F150. It wont be HIGH performance but it will be an inexpensive upgrade. From what i have read, the 302 in a 83 mustang has 175 HP stock. If anybody knows the stock specs for my engine, please pass it on. I was also wondering if i should upgrade to roller lifters, or should i even bother?

 

In order to switch to roller lifters, you will either have to use a roller style block or modify yours. You would also need a Hyd. roller camshaft. The profiles of the cams are very different.
Jimmy

 

thanks for the heads up- i think ill just go with the whole mustang engine. sounds easier than a conversion.

 

Yep and the 87-92 have forged pistons in them so they will hold up pretty good.
Jimmy

 

Thanks for the advice on the stang engine. Looks like the 87-92 stang engines were 225HP stock. how much HP could be added with a true dual exhaust and a performance air filter? i could have a real beast under the hood if i wanted to.