Building 302 on budget, ideas?

95redbeast4x4 · #1 (**permalink**) 01-25-2008, 07:20 PM

I have just recently bought a 95 f-150 4x4, with 180,000 miles but the body was in good shape, I'm rebuilding the motor right now and block and heads are in Machine Shop right now getting bored .030 over. I had ordered a Comp Cam with 208 - 216 duration with .533-.544 lift. I'm also gonna get 1.6 roller Rockers. I plan sometime in the near future for a 6 inch suspension lift with 35x12.5R15 tires. Plus I'm on a short budget So with this current set up so far anyone got any ideas on what I should do? I do plan on removeing emission on the motor. Now I have been thinking of upgrading to 24lb injectors but not sure yet, also I have read of MAF upgrades?

Conanski · #2 (**permalink**) 01-25-2008, 10:51 PM

You need gears to turn those tires don't overlook that. You didn't mention what heads you are using, but you won't need bigger injectors for the stock heads, ported or not. And you can't change injector size anyway without a tuner or MAF conversion, and a tuner is the better way to do it.

95redbeast4x4 · #3 (**permalink**) 01-25-2008, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Conanski

You need gears to turn those tires don't overlook that. You didn't mention what heads you are using, but you won't need bigger injectors for the stock heads, ported or not. And you can't change injector size anyway without a tuner or MAF conversion, and a tuner is the better way to do it.

Well for my current budget I'm staying with stock heads, I'm getting them rebuilt right now by a friend. I didn't figure I needed bigger injectors I was just think about because the engine had never been apart before so a couple injectors broke on me while taking them out. but it was just a thought im getting stock 19's that are slighly used from a guy at my work. As of gears go I did think about that and with 180,000 miles I think it needs a refresher anyways but i'm not sure on what ratio I was thinking 4.10 but not sure, anyways im a long ways from that just yet. I appreciate the the help Conanski

Conanski · #4 (**permalink**) 01-26-2008, 10:42 AM

With the big cam and reworked heads the motor will make more upper rpm power, you'll be happy with the results I'm sure, but considering you are on a tight budget tryout the motor first before jumping on tires and gears. The exhaust is restrictive on these trucks so consider adding longtube headers and some custom plumbing behind them, this will boost low rpm power, something the little Windsor desperately beeds. Large tires add weight and increase the TQ needed to turn them, you'll need 4.56 gears just to get back to the stock final drive ratio you had with 235/75x15 tires, and more gear if you want to add some performance.

95redbeast4x4 · #5 (**permalink**) 01-26-2008, 03:14 PM

Thanks for the ideas there Conanski. I will hold off on the lift kit till next year then cause I need to fix up the exhaust, I would like the power first. now I have the stock MAF setup with cats and o2 sensors, how would I go through long tube headers and exhaust system with out setting a Check engine light? would I have to get custom exhaust set up with cats? or do they make a bolt in setup? I mean I have to see how many O2 sensor on my Truck I really haven't looked. So if Anyone has any ideas on what to do it would be appreciate. this is my first time modifying a computer controlled vehicle I've only modifyied carb controlled so any insight would be helpful

Conanski · #6 (**permalink**) 01-26-2008, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 95redbeast4x4

Thanks for the ideas there Conanski. I will hold off on the lift kit till next year then cause I need to fix up the exhaust, I would like the power first. now I have the stock MAF setup with cats and o2 sensors, how would I go through long tube headers and exhaust system with out setting a Check engine light?

It's not that hard actually. Take a look at my exhaust pics and you'll get an idea of what's involved. Your truck will have at most two O2 sensors, and most likely just 1 on the passenger side. If you look closely you'll see the sensor in my passenger side header collector, it works fine there because the computer applies the same adjustments to all the injectors, so the sensor doesn't need to measure all cylinders. I have a single high flow cat just after the Y on this system, and the Y-pipe compenents are 2.5" mendrel bent tubing. I cut and welded this myself as there are very few aftermarket exhaust pieces specifically made for these trucks.. they're just too old now.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/motorst...7602458567072/

95redbeast4x4 · #7 (**permalink**) 01-26-2008, 05:01 PM

Ok thanks, now I might go straight pipe if theres no O2 sensor behind the cat and make it a true dual exhaust, thats the only thing I was worried about is do I need a cat. My state doesn't do emission testing around here so it doesn't matter with emissions. I just know with newer now a day vehicles come with like four O2 sensors and have one before and after the cats so Im just making sure. but I apprecate your info it helped a lot in my decesion on what to do.

Conanski · #8 (**permalink**) 01-27-2008, 12:27 PM

You don't "need" a cat but there's no reason not to IMO.. considering how little they cost($60-80) and the fact they don't hurt performance but do cleanup emissions.

s1120 · #9 (**permalink**) 02-01-2008, 12:50 PM

Well all that cam lift is waisted on those heads. At least you better get new springs, and maybe a quick port job. Diferent heads would be better to wake her up though!!

Also get rid of that stock Ypipe/cat setup!!! Headers [short tube, long tube, whatever you want] and a better flowing Y into a high flow cat, will wake it up!! Here is my Ypipe I built....

Going from the stock 1 1/2 pipe, with kinked bends, to a 2 1/2 into a 3" outl;et collector.

95redbeast4x4 · #10 (**permalink**) 02-01-2008, 02:22 PM

Thanks I do have a set of 69 Windsor heads I might fix up, but they need work, I could buy a new set but after machinng work that needs to be done to the block, which is getting done now. I just don't have the funds to get new heads on top of what I need now. But I am putting long tube headers on going to a 2.25 exhaust to a dual side exit exhaust with mufflers. I will put a high flow cat on when I get some more money caught up. but for now I don't need one for it to run.

95redbeast4x4 · #11 (**permalink**) 02-03-2008, 12:01 AM

Ok I need a questioned answered I have the original injectors that all work fine but when removing them for the first time in 13 years & 180,000 miles the plastic at the tip cracked on few of them, So does this mean I have to get new injectors or can I get them recapped? Anyones help would be great. Thank you all

s1120 · #12 (**permalink**) 02-03-2008, 07:34 AM

Search Mr Injector on ebay. they offer rebuld kits that have all the orings, and caps. I have rebuilt the ones in my Bronco, and my Windstar.

Xclimation · #13 (**permalink**) 02-03-2008, 10:04 AM

95redbeast, I have the almost identical truck. The only difference is that mine is 4X2. Even the exact same color! I am going to be following your progress so I can see what the possibilities are. Right now, I am just seeing what the truck needs to keep it running properly.

95redbeast4x4 · #14 (**permalink**) 02-03-2008, 12:14 PM

ok I found these on ebay, http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Fuel-Injector-Parts-Filters-O-rings-Caps-Ford-Bosch-BMW_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33554QQihZ009QQitem Z190195667466QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW#ebayphotohost ing
i'm sure this is it but I'm gonna check with my work first to see if I can get them through there or not. Plus a guy from my work as a set of injectors that are slightly used, that I might buy off of him for like 80 bucks. Plus they look nicer unlike mine which are heavily rusted So I would need to clean them and repaint them. Oh and Xclimation I will tell you the update on my truck, I am completely rebuilding the engine, I have stripped it down to a bare block found my cylinder walls are worn out and needed to be bored out, which means new pistons ans all, my crankshaft has grooves in it and needs to be ground down smooth again. Now I noticed your from texas and im not sure about machine shops down there, but just that could cost you a easy $1000 i'm in a good relation with a guy up here that has his own machine shop in his garage so his prices are really cheap. So if you want to go that route. My engine is in the shop right now getting worked on. While im cleaning and inspecting all my other parts. but i'll keep everyone posted, and want to thank everyone for there advice its really helpful.

flareside_thunder · #15 (**permalink**) 02-03-2008, 08:37 PM

If those are the factory heads off that engine they'll be fine and have tons of potential...most likely they're E7TE castings...which with a little work can flow just as good as a factory set of GT40's off the Gen 1 Lightnings......if you wanna ditch the smog stuff get with me I've done it and I've got plenty of pics in my gallery of it.....definately upgrade the Valve springs to handle the higher lift.....you also might want to consider gasket matching everything....upper to lower intaker as well as tb to upper and lower to heads....every little bit helps.....if you decide to have the heads ported make sure they take down the thermactor bumps as well as open the exhaust ports up.It'll really wake her up...you should only have one O2 sensor like Paul said...it'll be in front of the cat......good luck.

JR