Well, I'm getting ready to start the build of the motors for two trucks, one is a rock crawler and the other a roadster both using the 302 block, before I convert the motors over to carberated I was wanting to see what you guys would think is a good top end/bottom end build. I already kind of know what I want to do with both trucks (the roadster is getting a turbo or supercharger and the rockcrawler is getting a atlas 2 transfer case and custom axles/housing with lower gears in them, both trucks are going to have the cat/muffler cut off and the rockcrawler is getting exhaust pipes ran out the hood from each exhaust port while the roadsters exhaust is going to probably run out the front fenders just behind the tires.) I was planning to use MSD igition systems so I could get rid of the stock wiring harness (to eliminate the possiblity of a faulty wire somewhere) and run new wires for just the things I need so I know where everything is and what its running to/for. I'm open to any build but I was looking for about 400hp from the roadster and about 350hp for the roackcrawler.

 

The roadster might be okay with a 302. Since you are starting from scratch, it would be dumb to build a 302 for a rock crawler. Get a 351W and stroke it out. Use a dual plane intake , an RV cam, low gears and maybe just a 650 carb and you can run over big trees with the torque.
Even on the roadster- why not stroke it out to a 347 a little higher rpm manifold, cam , and headers, and have a cruiser that can idle around 90% of the time?

 

If it were me I'd want EFI for the rock crawler.. carbs don't run too well on steep angles. A 5.8EFI with a few upgrades or a stock 460 would do the truck, lots of TQ to spin big meats with all that gear reduction.

 

Yep- I forgot about that. They do have some carbs that are set-up for that, but EFI is much easier.

 

also running the exhaust out of the hood is a bad idea. route the exhaust properly and the motor will perform better.

i agree with what has been said above, efi and either 302 or 351w would work well. the 5.8 produces more torque at lower rpm which for a crawler is what you want. the 5.0 is a hi rpm motor and wont help you but actually hurt what your trying to accomplish.