Cam suggestion
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 31,930
Likes: 1,499
From: Ottawa, Ontario
There is no way this motor has a bad cam lobe, roller cams don't fail this way unless the motor is run out of oil, and if you do that the cam is the least of your worries. It's possible a lifter has collapsed but if there is no mehanical nose(tapping) the problem is elsewhere.. maybe a cracked exhaust valve or broken valve spring is causing low compression on a cylinder which leads to a miss.
As for low end TQ from a 302.. forgetaboutit. I mean you can get a little bit more with longtubes and 1.7 rockers or a high lift cam but it still won't have the grunt of a 5.8. Swap in 4.10 gears to keep the motor in the range where it makes sufficient TQ for heavy hauling.. which is above 3000rpm.
As for low end TQ from a 302.. forgetaboutit. I mean you can get a little bit more with longtubes and 1.7 rockers or a high lift cam but it still won't have the grunt of a 5.8. Swap in 4.10 gears to keep the motor in the range where it makes sufficient TQ for heavy hauling.. which is above 3000rpm.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 774
Likes: 1
From: East Tennessee
Here's the picture of the intakes. The middle one is the 5.0 EFI truck intake. I can't remember who posted the picture and labeled them, I'm thinking it was possibly Conanski. Sorry I can't remember. It has the truck 5.0, the 5.0HO, and the 5.8w (If memory serves me correct). Always have wondered since seeing them if that has anything to do with the truck 5.0 EFI's being screamers. I wonder how the 5.0 HO intake would feel on the truck?
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 187
Likes: 0
I am building up a 302 in my 1978 F150, and was also considering a cam/head/gear swap to help with low end torque. But I am a bit confused on something you said here:
If the 302 makes the best torque at 3000rpm, does that mean I should forget about matching components that typically build low-rpm torque and instead build the 302 with parts that works best at a higher rpm, say 1500rpm and higher (GT40 heads, Performer RPM intake, Crane 444232 cam), and then re-gear to 4.10?
Or is it better to match components that emphasizes low-rpm torque, say idle and up for low-rpm (ported and polished E7 heads, Performer intake, Comp XE250H/31-230-3 cam) and then re-gear to 4.10? Since this combination of components typically helps low-rpm torque, does that mean I will be able to get away with more gearing, like 3.73? Or is the 302 a different animal?
Will both ways accomplish the same result, or is one way better than the other?
Originally Posted by Conanski
As for low end TQ from a 302.. forgetaboutit. I mean you can get a little bit more with longtubes and 1.7 rockers or a high lift cam but it still won't have the grunt of a 5.8. Swap in 4.10 gears to keep the motor in the range where it makes sufficient TQ for heavy hauling.. which is above 3000rpm.
Or is it better to match components that emphasizes low-rpm torque, say idle and up for low-rpm (ported and polished E7 heads, Performer intake, Comp XE250H/31-230-3 cam) and then re-gear to 4.10? Since this combination of components typically helps low-rpm torque, does that mean I will be able to get away with more gearing, like 3.73? Or is the 302 a different animal?
Will both ways accomplish the same result, or is one way better than the other?
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,285
Likes: 12
From: Bend,OR
well the weiand intake is a better setup if this is a 4wd truck and your wanting bottem end. the eddy rpm is a hi rpm producer.
what tires are you going to be running, this is how you base your gear ratio.
what tires are you going to be running, this is how you base your gear ratio.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 187
Likes: 0
Did I just stump Conanski?
For more information, my truck currently has 3.55 gears and I also plan to swap in an AOD from a 1984 F150.
I would really like to know what you think for my cam/head/gear swap, as I would like to get to work on my truck on my Christmas break!
For more information, my truck currently has 3.55 gears and I also plan to swap in an AOD from a 1984 F150.
I would really like to know what you think for my cam/head/gear swap, as I would like to get to work on my truck on my Christmas break!
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 774
Likes: 1
From: East Tennessee
Build it to how you want to perform. With the correct cam, heads, and intake, it will have much more torque down low than in stock form. There have been some dyno's posted on here of 5.0's. Here's a stock 5.0 HO. They aren't as hopeless as they are made out to be. 240tq@1200RPM isn't that bad at all. The way people talk would make one think they push about 110ft/lbs at that RPM.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 774
Likes: 1
From: East Tennessee
But I do think if you are going to use it to tow/haul with all the time and are using the AOD, 4.10's would make a good difference for the 302. I drove an F150 (5.0) before I purchased the one I own, it had 4.10 gears and man, it felt good. Now, it was an NP435 or T-18, so no OD killed that option for me (Actually, the condition of the truck did). I tow rarely, haul wood frequently. 3.50 is fine for me. You can load the bed down with whatever you want, you can barely tell it's back there.
BTW, guys, not saying at all the 302 is better or worse than the 300 or 351w, not comparing at all. Just talking 302. Guess what I mean is, not trying to make the 302 out to be something it isn't. But like Conanski said, you can hop it up, but don't expect that stump pullin' 351W feel. But yes, it can be made to have better torque at lower RPM. Long tubes, good exhaust, cam, for starters. But, if you are going all out for torque, this probably isn't the best engine to start with.
BTW, guys, not saying at all the 302 is better or worse than the 300 or 351w, not comparing at all. Just talking 302. Guess what I mean is, not trying to make the 302 out to be something it isn't. But like Conanski said, you can hop it up, but don't expect that stump pullin' 351W feel. But yes, it can be made to have better torque at lower RPM. Long tubes, good exhaust, cam, for starters. But, if you are going all out for torque, this probably isn't the best engine to start with.
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FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 31,930
Likes: 1,499
From: Ottawa, Ontario
It ain't that bad in a 3500lb car but in a 5000lb truck it's a 90lb weakling, with that much glass and steel to push around it takes a motor that makes about 100ft/lbs more to produce sporty acceleration and to be able to haul a decent load without getting in the way of everybody else.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 31,930
Likes: 1,499
From: Ottawa, Ontario
If the 302 makes the best torque at 3000rpm, does that mean I should forget about matching components that typically build low-rpm torque and instead build the 302 with parts that works best at a higher rpm, say 1500rpm and higher (GT40 heads, Performer RPM intake, Crane 444232 cam), and then re-gear to 4.10?
Or is it better to match components that emphasizes low-rpm torque, say idle and up for low-rpm (ported and polished E7 heads, Performer intake, Comp XE250H/31-230-3 cam) and then re-gear to 4.10? Since this combination of components typically helps low-rpm torque, does that mean I will be able to get away with more gearing, like 3.73? Or is the 302 a different animal?
Will both ways accomplish the same result, or is one way better than the other?
Or is it better to match components that emphasizes low-rpm torque, say idle and up for low-rpm (ported and polished E7 heads, Performer intake, Comp XE250H/31-230-3 cam) and then re-gear to 4.10? Since this combination of components typically helps low-rpm torque, does that mean I will be able to get away with more gearing, like 3.73? Or is the 302 a different animal?
Will both ways accomplish the same result, or is one way better than the other?
Option 1 is using the wrong cam for the combo but even with the right one it will make a screamer 302... completely flat below 3000rpm then all hell breaks lose all the way out to 6000rpm. 4.56 gears and a 2000 stall minimum.
Option 2 will produce a broad powerband from about 0-5000rpm but even so you'll want to keep the motor well above 2000rpm when hauling. Stock converter with 4.10 gears minimum.
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