I have a 97 f150...its my trail truck. I have a 302 in my garage I was going to bore out. But I just got ahold of the 5.8 and I hear I can get more power out of the 5.8. What isyour take on it? I am pushing 36 inch tires with a 6 in lift. Will post pics later. I finally found a c6 tranny with transfer case to go behind it. Looking for cheap ideas to get more power out of this 5.8 or figure out if I should stick to the 302?

 

That will be a pretty cool mod if you're willing to do that much work to the frame, cross-members (fabricating new ones?), and bodywork to get it to fit.

If it were me I'd go for the easier to drop in 5.4L, but it sounds like you've got the money and time to make a full-out race truck. At the point you get into being willing and able to do that much fabrication, it's more a question of if the 5.8L and its components are the ones you want. The other forum that has up to 1996 trucks may be the one to ask, as they were the ones with those motor choices. That, or ask in the 4x4 or motor forum on this site, as the question is about what all can be done to drivetrains other than what came in 1997 to 2003 model years.

Go for the 5.8 if you're going that big. Putting it all in a 1996 truck would be easier though.

 

ok so sticcking with the 5.8. took all the efi components off it, and switching it to carb. Figure it would be easier with all the computer and wiring and what not, so basically kicking it back to an old school 351w. I think my cross member should be fine, just need to drill some new holes where it will mounts back up int he right spot.

 

The biggest a 302 can go is 349ci. For about the same money or slightly more your 351 could be taken to 408 or close to 430 with a good stock block. Aftermarket 351 blocks can get to the 460-470 ci range. Supposedly you can make a 408 by usng a 351w +.030 block with a 400m crank and rods or some mix and match of components. Also the 351s extra deck height makes for less headgasket problems in high horse applications. The 351 will always make more tq than a 302, but the 302 bore/stroke make it easier to run 7000+ rpm. As far as the truck goes, ive driven crown vic demo cars with sbc chevys so pushrods in a 97+ shouldnt be too bad.

 

the crossmember should just have to be pushed back or forward....i am thinkin or more like hoping right now, pain in the butt with the torsion bars and what not. this is what my body looks like right now, will take some pics of the project here this weekend and keep it posted.

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Mod done.... 95 351w with c6 carbed out. Fit perfectly only mods are on cross member and motormounts on frame

 

man i would love to see the pics of how that awsome power plant looks in this body style. is it functional for more than just trails? Please post pics of this bad girl

 

Still working on some small stuff...power steering pump..tranny lines...throttle cable stuff like that. Suprisingly with all the efi off of it it looks really quite small in the truck. It will be functiona to drive. No good on gs mileage of coarse but that is to b expected lol. On you tube the first fire is listed as efi to carb 351w. Took us over 13 hours to get to that point lol.

 

Sorry its labeled "first fire efi to cab 351w"

 

Darn auto correct. " First Fire EFI to CARB 351w"

 

im gonna check it out... toyed with the idea myself but didnt have the resources to get it done... maybe someday... 460 maybe?

 

Carb is the way to go without all the headaches.
I have a 460 in mine. It fits pretty good, but I have completely stripped my frame so I dont know how tight it would be with all the factory stuff.