302 vs 351w
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,285
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From: Bend,OR
well the 5.0 puts out i think 280lb trq and the 5.8 is at 310-320ftlb torque. ive done the swap on an 88 bronco years ago and was the best mode i did at the time. mpg was better also especially around town. I gained 1 mpg city and 2 hwy over what the 302 got. some of that may have been due to high miles on the 302.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2011
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i always hated the 302. i had long tubes and timing bumped, was still miserable to drive. i got 9-11 mpg always, never more than 11 even if i was driving 55-60 on highway on a long trip. i had to downshift constantly to make it up hills, regardless of what tires i had on it. all bark no bite. . .stock 351's are not THAT much better, but they are more efficient in low rpm due to their increased stroke, so mileage of 351's is generally better because it can lug around easier at low engine speed.
the 351 i have in my truck (mods in sig) is so much better than the 302. im getting 11-12 mpg and i really havent tried to see what it can do yet. . .im able to lug up any hill without crackin a downshift, even at low rpm in top gear. like i said ive always hated the 302, as it has no place in a 3/4 ton truck . . .and the 351 is much more suitable both in driving enjoyment, functionality, and mileage.
the 351 i have in my truck (mods in sig) is so much better than the 302. im getting 11-12 mpg and i really havent tried to see what it can do yet. . .im able to lug up any hill without crackin a downshift, even at low rpm in top gear. like i said ive always hated the 302, as it has no place in a 3/4 ton truck . . .and the 351 is much more suitable both in driving enjoyment, functionality, and mileage.
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 366
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From: Harlingen,TX
Ya its weird seeing a 302 being put in a 3/4 ton truck, its little engine for alot of weight, which therefore you get bad mpg. I personally think out of the ford motors that the 302 is the least impressive, i think the 300 is better. My trucks got a 351w and couldnt be happier with that motor, but one day ill get a 460!
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2008
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From: Rusty, Maine
I agree. The 302 is a high revving car engine IMO. it may be good in a 4X2 prostreet F-150 but thier HP is made at high RPM and they don't have a lot of torque for a truck.
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Joined: Oct 2011
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From: Pueblo, CO
Ya its weird seeing a 302 being put in a 3/4 ton truck, its little engine for alot of weight, which therefore you get bad mpg. I personally think out of the ford motors that the 302 is the least impressive, i think the 300 is better. My trucks got a 351w and couldnt be happier with that motor, but one day ill get a 460!
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2011
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From: Harlingen,TX
O no im not calling the 302 junk, its a good motor for a f150 thats not gonna tow anything or a bronco. If built right, the 302 is awesome. But in stock form its not impressive at all. The way i would rank it is 1. 351w because overall its awesome it has power, reliability, and best gas mileage out of the rest. 2. 460 because who doesnt love power, and thats what 460 is all bout. 3. 300 for its low end torque and there tough little motors and 4. the 302 which i still respect
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Joined: Feb 2012
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From: north carolina
300's use to be put in 3/4 ton trucks=] i personally am a chevy car fan and ford truck fan so the 302 isn't even an engine i like but i had a 302 in an explorer.. swapped out the 4.0 for a 5.0.. was a pretty bada** explorer.. not for pulling anything but would work for just hauling something small..
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The Southernmost Mod
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 6,902
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From: Caracas, Venezuela
Meh, mine has served me well under all conditions of use and abuse, and it has been extremelly reliable. It might not be a 300 regarding low end torque and reliability or a 351 regarding overall performance, but it does has its place on a truck. And even though i would enjoy having a 351 i'm very happy with this engine that has served me well for almost 20 years.
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Joined: Oct 2011
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From: Pueblo, CO
O no im not calling the 302 junk, its a good motor for a f150 thats not gonna tow anything or a bronco. If built right, the 302 is awesome. But in stock form its not impressive at all. The way i would rank it is 1. 351w because overall its awesome it has power, reliability, and best gas mileage out of the rest. 2. 460 because who doesnt love power, and thats what 460 is all bout. 3. 300 for its low end torque and there tough little motors and 4. the 302 which i still respect
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2011
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O no im not calling the 302 junk, its a good motor for a f150 thats not gonna tow anything or a bronco. If built right, the 302 is awesome. But in stock form its not impressive at all. The way i would rank it is 1. 351w because overall its awesome it has power, reliability, and best gas mileage out of the rest. 2. 460 because who doesnt love power, and thats what 460 is all bout. 3. 300 for its low end torque and there tough little motors and 4. the 302 which i still respect
300's use to be put in 3/4 ton trucks=] i personally am a chevy car fan and ford truck fan so the 302 isn't even an engine i like but i had a 302 in an explorer.. swapped out the 4.0 for a 5.0.. was a pretty bada** explorer.. not for pulling anything but would work for just hauling something small..
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 197
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From: north carolina
couldnt agree more with the ranking and the reasoning. the only reason i like the 302 over the 300 is the v8 sound. i, too, respect the 302. i see plenty of small trucks that i think "347 candidate".
im a gm car fan also, but there is a lot to respect about the SBF's. i wouldnt ever say so much about any modular to date, but the SBF's are great motors. . .and beside cost (always more expensive than bowtie) there are tons of advantages of either 302 or 351 over a small block chevy. before the LS1 came about, the 351w was the stroker king - easily cresting 400 cube mark where SBC owners rarely achieved. the 347 is an excellent candidate for a swap into something small, where a 351w or a SBC even would be a tight squeeze. they all have their advantages, and im a fan of all with that recognition. LS1>SBF>SBC>Modular
im a gm car fan also, but there is a lot to respect about the SBF's. i wouldnt ever say so much about any modular to date, but the SBF's are great motors. . .and beside cost (always more expensive than bowtie) there are tons of advantages of either 302 or 351 over a small block chevy. before the LS1 came about, the 351w was the stroker king - easily cresting 400 cube mark where SBC owners rarely achieved. the 347 is an excellent candidate for a swap into something small, where a 351w or a SBC even would be a tight squeeze. they all have their advantages, and im a fan of all with that recognition. LS1>SBF>SBC>Modular
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Ottawa, Ontario
All stock there isn't really a lot of difference between these two, the 5.8 make a bit more torque and at lower rpms but hp and milage are pretty close. With engine mods that increase airflow that changes pretty dramatically, the 5.8 turns into a real beast with tire churning grunt while the 5.0 becomes a real screamer with a ton more topend power. The 5.8 is a proper truck motor IMO and can get quite a bit better milage than the 5.0, but the 5.0 can perform very well it just needs lots of axle gearing and just like the little modulars you gotta let it spool.
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 366
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From: Harlingen,TX
Meh, mine has served me well under all conditions of use and abuse, and it has been extremelly reliable. It might not be a 300 regarding low end torque and reliability or a 351 regarding overall performance, but it does has its place on a truck. And even though i would enjoy having a 351 i'm very happy with this engine that has served me well for almost 20 years.