5.0 performance tips
Hotshot
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 11,958
Likes: 228
If you do an advanced search it will turn up a ton of threads on this.
Here is a cheap or free one. Swap out the 5.0/5.8 intake tube from the air box to the radiator support for one from a 4.9/460.
Your best bet is a good tune up, with Motorcraft or at least BWD quality parts and fresh fluids and filters. Get copper Motorcraft or Autolite plugs. You can advance the timing a little too.
The first thing that will get some good improvements is a good free flowing exhaust. I suggest a 3 inch single with a straight through muffler. If you like the look of duals get a SIDO muffler.
Headers are a great way to go too, but I wouldn't advise doing it on an older high mileage engine. There is a good chance of breaking off bolts in the heads.
Something that will get you the biggest bang for the buck is gears. The 302 does not make low end power so it needs better gears.
What transmission and what size tires does your truck have? That needs to be known before a gear recommendation can be made.
Stay away from hot air intakes, KN FIPK, snake oil spark plugs, throttle body spacers and other junk like the tornado. Those will not get you anywhere.
Here is a cheap or free one. Swap out the 5.0/5.8 intake tube from the air box to the radiator support for one from a 4.9/460.
Your best bet is a good tune up, with Motorcraft or at least BWD quality parts and fresh fluids and filters. Get copper Motorcraft or Autolite plugs. You can advance the timing a little too.
The first thing that will get some good improvements is a good free flowing exhaust. I suggest a 3 inch single with a straight through muffler. If you like the look of duals get a SIDO muffler.
Headers are a great way to go too, but I wouldn't advise doing it on an older high mileage engine. There is a good chance of breaking off bolts in the heads.
Something that will get you the biggest bang for the buck is gears. The 302 does not make low end power so it needs better gears.
What transmission and what size tires does your truck have? That needs to be known before a gear recommendation can be made.
Stay away from hot air intakes, KN FIPK, snake oil spark plugs, throttle body spacers and other junk like the tornado. Those will not get you anywhere.
Hotshot
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 11,958
Likes: 228
LMAO!!!!!!
Trending Topics
Hotshot
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 11,958
Likes: 228
Snake oil spark plugs are anything like split fire, E3, Bosch Platinum +4 etc.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snake_oil_(cryptography)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snake_oil_(cryptography)
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,462
Likes: 74
From: Hartford, AL
You could put some 1.7 roller rockers on there, a pair of shorty headers from a lighnting, and then put a smaller cam like a comp XE 258HR or the likes and you will see a nice bump....if motor is in good enough shape. I would estimate around 250 hp with this setup and the computer shouldn't have much issue with the change....especially if it is mass air.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,462
Likes: 74
From: Hartford, AL
You can buy comp cams most anywhere that sells performance parts. Summit Racing would be the first place I looked. You could also get the roller rockers there. The lightning headers would need to be picked up used. As Paul requested, it would help to know what the specs are of you're truck for more specific answers. My suggestions would probably work from speed density or mass air systems, but it helps to know what you're dealing with.