351w
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351w
i am planning on doing a v-8 swap on my f100 but i dont like the sound of the 302 (like just another mustang on the road :S). i like the reliability of the 351w. how much does the sound of the 351 differ from the 302. youtube has been no help to me.
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,593
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From: Prairieville, La
I can tell you what my ears have heard, others may vary.
Keep in mind I am referring to all stock motors with dual exhaust. Muffler brand also changes things.
A straight six sounds okay at idle, not that great moving.
302 and 351W sound pretty similar. They do sound nice. Could not tell you the difference not knowing what was in the truck.
FE blocks sound great at idle and moving.
429 and 460 are very powerful and deep. Sound very mad.
Keep in mind that sound also changes depending on manifolds, path pipes are ran, if they exit the back, one side, both sides, or turn down.
Keep in mind I am referring to all stock motors with dual exhaust. Muffler brand also changes things.
A straight six sounds okay at idle, not that great moving.
302 and 351W sound pretty similar. They do sound nice. Could not tell you the difference not knowing what was in the truck.
FE blocks sound great at idle and moving.
429 and 460 are very powerful and deep. Sound very mad.
Keep in mind that sound also changes depending on manifolds, path pipes are ran, if they exit the back, one side, both sides, or turn down.
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 3,417
Likes: 32
For the most part its in the headers pipes and mufflers. Displacement and cams make changes too. Stock to stock a 351 is not going to sound much different then a 302 maybe a little deeper. Go from A 302 to a 460 with a similar cam and exhaust. It will probably just sound much deeper.
Your 302 drone has alot to do with your choice in mufflers. Any kind of fiber glass packing in them will
cause this I.E. Cherry bombs, magna flows. Flowmasters and others that don't use packing tend to not drone. Not absolutely always but most of the time they don't.
Your 302 drone has alot to do with your choice in mufflers. Any kind of fiber glass packing in them will
cause this I.E. Cherry bombs, magna flows. Flowmasters and others that don't use packing tend to not drone. Not absolutely always but most of the time they don't.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,789
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From: South Central Utah
I would imagine there's not much difference between a 302 and a 351.
The only difference between the two is the 351 has a 1/2" longer stroke.
Yes, there are other difference but that's the biggest.
The crankshaft out of a 400 will work in a 351W so you could make it a 400 cid.
Last edited by Rubiranch; Mar 11, 2026 at 10:40 AM.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2021
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From: Anderson, California
The difference is - the 351w has a different Firing Order than the 302.
A friend pulled a 302 and installed a 351w, and couldn't get it to run correctly until he discovered they have different FIRING ORDER.
I don't know this first hand, but I've owned two 351w powered Ford Vans with the 351w, and they are an awesome engine.
In my experience, towing a 26-foot camp trailer, the 351w dang near will keep up with a 429 running 4:10 gearing on a hard pull.
The big block will Lug further before having to downshift.
My vote is for the 351w.
A friend pulled a 302 and installed a 351w, and couldn't get it to run correctly until he discovered they have different FIRING ORDER.
I don't know this first hand, but I've owned two 351w powered Ford Vans with the 351w, and they are an awesome engine.
In my experience, towing a 26-foot camp trailer, the 351w dang near will keep up with a 429 running 4:10 gearing on a hard pull.
The big block will Lug further before having to downshift.
My vote is for the 351w.
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roadrash63
Small Block V8 (221, 260, 289, 5.0/302, 5.8/351W)
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Nov 12, 2010 02:58 PM