302 vs 390
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
The 302 will be more economical but lacks the gonads of the 390.
John
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 8,261
Likes: 15
From: Big Sky Country
Is this a trick question? 
390 all the way, you already have an economy rig listed in your signature, at least put a FE in your bump so it's fun to drive.
390 all the way, you already have an economy rig listed in your signature, at least put a FE in your bump so it's fun to drive.
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,678
Likes: 82
From: NorCal
Fun factor? Ha!!! Then I say the 390 backed by a TKO-500 and 4.10 rear gears. It'll launch ya out of the hole with gobs of torque and will be a freeway flyer with a 2.80 final drive ratio. The final drive ratio is the effective gear ratio (rear gear times the OD gear).
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Junior User
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
i now have a scion for fuel economy and no this not a trick question but under the right conditions ive been told a 302 is just as fast depending on the set up but this 390 was built to pre 66 mustang specs but also bored .40 over with higher compression. the cost for fuel doesnt seem too different and have read that the 390 can get close to the same mileage with the right tuning. but i dont have the time with the 390 for the comparison.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,678
Likes: 82
From: NorCal
with the right tuning. but i dont have the time with the 390 for the comparison.
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,521
Likes: 16
From: Lost
If you have a 360 in there now, a 390 is a simple swap. A 302 would require a different trans/flexplate/starter (auto) or bellhousing/flywheel/starter (manual) as well as different motor mount perches. Then there's other things, like exhaust and accessory brackets to consider.
Granted, a 302 should get a bit better MPG on the highway, but around town it's gonna be pretty close to the same.
If you are going to use the truck as a truck, the 390 won't even break a sweat while doing stuff that will have the 302 panting rather hard.
Granted, a 302 should get a bit better MPG on the highway, but around town it's gonna be pretty close to the same.
If you are going to use the truck as a truck, the 390 won't even break a sweat while doing stuff that will have the 302 panting rather hard.
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Junior User
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
well i have two donor chassis one for both motors and the parts including trans but im not too concerned about a couple mpg difference, so maybe the 390is the way to go any ideas on the gear ratio? I have a 3.00 , 3.25 , and a 3.50 with a locker
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2000
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From: colbert washington
