302 questions?
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Junior User
Joined: Jun 2010
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302 questions?
Im fixing to do a 302 swap from a 89 2wd into my 89 4wd. Both are 302, will i have to change the oil pan out? The other question is what would be some recommended ways to let the 302 breath better? I was thinking cold air intake and true dual exhaust? Do i need to change the headers and intake manifold or heads? Im not wanting to really soup it up, just some minor preformace addittions. Any other suggestions?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,964
Likes: 2
From: Fort Worth
The starting point on a 302 is the heads. Unfortunately, this is expensive, then you can go down the list and do cam, intake manifolds, exhaust, and intake tube. Without the heads though, you're pissing in the wind. This is my opinion; I'm sure others will chime in soon.
Is that a speed density motor? If so, that's going to throw a wrench in the plan.
Is that a speed density motor? If so, that's going to throw a wrench in the plan.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 841
Likes: 1
From: North Carolina
Your truck is speed density. It's no big deal with mild upgrades.
Best options for modding your motor:
GT-40 heads from a mustang, you can check craigslist. Sometimes you can find a deal, and make sure they're not GT-40P heads off an explorer
Longtube headers, steer clear of shorties.
A good exhaust, doesn't really have to be duals
No CAI. Unless you pay big bucks, you wont get anything better than the stock air cleaner (even then it's not gonna help unless you have serious mods)
You can do a cam as long as it's Speed Density friendly.
Best options for modding your motor:
GT-40 heads from a mustang, you can check craigslist. Sometimes you can find a deal, and make sure they're not GT-40P heads off an explorer
Longtube headers, steer clear of shorties.
A good exhaust, doesn't really have to be duals
No CAI. Unless you pay big bucks, you wont get anything better than the stock air cleaner (even then it's not gonna help unless you have serious mods)
You can do a cam as long as it's Speed Density friendly.
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 4,558
Likes: 2
I think the oil pans are the same ? have a good look at them , with out going into the motor you can bolt on a set of long tube headers with a free flowing exhaust , the stock system is resictive , advance the timing from 10 to about 14 deg BTDC , gearing is very important on the 302 , so you need to find out what gears it has and what size tires your going to use , ounce thats done then you can decide if you want to do any more , the aftermarket support for the 302 is very good , so the mods are endless , just need a fat wallet....Lew
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 133
Likes: 1
From: Mackinaw City, MI
2wd and 4wd 302 has the same oil pan. A K&N filter will help on the inhale side, a set of shorty headers, along with a Bassani off road Y-pipe will help on the exhale side, along with a free flowing muffler. None of these bolt on's require going inside the motor. It depends how far you wanna go into it.
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FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Ottawa, Ontario
Changing the cam is the single best upgrade on these engines.. nothing else can touch it in HP/$$ spent ratio, but it's a fair bit of work because the whole motor has to be stripped down. The exhaust is also quite restrictive but the intake side is fine so don't waste your time with CAIs, TB spacers, or chips they're a complete waste of money.
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