Well, here it is coming from a upcoming tech and all around chevy guy...

Ford vs chevy..lets see. I think ford is a slightly better truck STOCK for heavy duty work. Really heavy duty stuff though...stuff that will break any 1 ton pickup. The ford is built with more of this in mind, but the chevy will do the same job provided they are in similar condition. Every company has its lemons...Gm has more because it is the larger then ford so you will have more people complaining. In my experience, If it breaks the chevy, it will break the ford (and vice versa). Drive what you want, just dont be a ******* about it.

As far as gas engines go, they are for the most part all comparable. You guys say the 305 is a boat anchor, yet my 302 has less power then my 4.3 chevy (which is stock and 142,000 miles since i rolled it). Of course, the chevy is 1000lbs lighter, but even with a load in the back I would still go as far as saying it is a stronger engine. The 302 has a little more torque..which is fully expected. Stock 305's and stock 302's...neither are powerhouses. I would give a definent nod to the 305 though. The biggest problem with the 305, is it just cannot bring in enough fuel with the size stroke it has. This means that the 305 is not as effective to get gains with performance wise. There were a good number of decidedly gutless 305's, but the 302 was right there with it. The 302 is a better engine to build for peak numbers. It's not like the 305 has no potential, it just takes a bit more work to get it. The vortec 305 was a great engine, and made more power then some of the 350's and 351's. I am not trying to bash the 302. The 302 was a better engine in the fox body stangs..but just not enough for a fullsize truck in stock (truck) form. Much like the 305, it has potential..but it is just enough stock to get the job done. Both are pretty reliable, but again I would give a nod to the 305. The 302 seems to last, in most cases, about 120,000 miles (the newer ones may be better..my 302 experience in trucks goes to '88). I have seen 305's well over the 200,000 mile mark with nothing more then general maintenance. Does that make the 305 a better engine? no! does that make ford a better company? no!

On to the 350/351w/351c debate. The 351 c is a bigblock, and hence has more potential since you can get more cubes...So it is not exactly the best comparison. The 351w, however, is a smallblock much like the 350. If you ask me, these engines are about as equal as they come. Ratings throughout the years on all comparable models of the two engines are within 5hp/10lbs of torque. The ford makes a little more lowend, but the chevy makes up for it higher in the rev ranges. Both engines are super reliable, nobody is going to debate that. The ford costs a little more to build. Both have about the same potential.

So, as you may see where i am going with this...EVERYTHING is comparable. Both companys have a different approach on things, but both are competitive with each other throughout the years (though ford has had the better diesels for quite some time). Big blocks are comparable, smallblocks are comparable, work capacity is comparable...They are so much more closer then most people think. Some guys have had bad experiences with certain makes, while others have had nothing but 100% satisfaction. It all boils down to what you like, what you do, what you want, how much money you have to spend. The ford is slightly stronger in a few areas, whereas the Gm product is slightly stronger in areas the ford falters. I am a gm die hard, but I drive a ford. I look at things the way they are. I hope i added some insight for some of you guys, even though this is the eternal debate.

 

Quote:
On to the 350/351w/351c debate. The 351 c is a bigblock, and hence has more potential since you can get more cubes...So it is not exactly the best comparison.

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Please Read !

http://www.oemfordparts.com/faq/smal...v8.htm#351M%20(MOUNTED)%20AND%20400

 

I'm not sure what you posted the link for??? but thanks anyway. I didnt learn anything there but maybe itll help someone else out...Did you post it because you thought when i said you can get more cubes outta the C that it came with more? If this is it..sorry for the confusion. I just meant the cleveland has more room to work with since it is the same block series as the 351M and 400M. Just clear up the reasoning you posted the link...im a little confused!

 

No, I posted it because you stated the 351C was considered a Big Block when in fact it is a small block.This is common knowledge
in the engine world.
That's what the links verifies
No Biggie !

Also now, The 400 is just that not a 400M

The engine family is the 335 engine series and the proper reference to that block is: 351M/400

Yes, it is a technicality but, it is still fact and this is a technical forum.

 

Okay, i see what you mean now.

Yeah the cleveland is still a smallblock, but I classified it as the bigblock because you can bore it out more then your standard windsor plant. sorry for the confusion..i'v been hitting the bottle more frequently lately and got some pain pills in me from an injury.

 

Let's have some fun here...

To me the referenc of "Big Block" should be made to the bore spacing.

Hence the 302, 351W, 351C, 351M, and 400 are all small blocks with a 4.38 bore spacing. The FE and 429/460 series should be classified as big blocks with 4.63 and 4.9" bore spacings respectively.

Chevy small block bore spacing is 4.4" and Big Block is 4.84"

Maybe the arbitrary dividing line should be 4.5" or 4.55"???


Can I start another argument here? -hehe

Where do the diesels fit in this picture???

Does this mean that a 4.0L Ford V-6 (4.76") is a BIG Block??? -Or do we limit the discussion to V-8's?


OR should we go with deck height?

The Chevy BB came in 9.8" and 10.2" deck heights.
The 351m/400 has a 10.3" deck and the 426/460 has the same, but the FE has a 10.17" deck...

The Chevy SB has a 9.025" deck hgt.
Ford 302, 351C/W varies from 8.2" to 9.5". So should we make the arbitrary dividing line 9.75"??

-OOOpps, wait a minute, -that makes the 351M/400 a BIG Block! -hehe

Any way you cut it, -it's arbitrary. Chevy has referred to their blocks as small block and big block. Ford always refers to engine FAMILIES.

Have FUN!

*-Dimensions are rough for comparison only.

 

351 vs 350
I have owned chevy and Ford trucks 2 and 4wd. fixed em, raced em and really have no preference except I think the newer chevy trucks are getting weak and styling is going down hill. whereas 80's fords lacked in the style dept. My fav and most reliable is my 64 Ford.
I have this recent story. I raced my friends 2wd 96 ford truck w. 351 against my 4wd 92 Chevy Blazer 5.7l 350. Both stock. We argued so much we decided to race. I honestly thought that with 4wd the added weight would lose but the weight over the back wheels might help. I had a transmission on the way out (typical of chevy 4L60) but managed to beat him off the line and stay 1 car length ahead, we raced at 3 different stops. I don't know what this proves, but he was choked.
I live in chevy country and thats why I love driving some of my fords around, gotta be different. Not too many chevy's around here except LT1's can come close to my 460.

**Remember the skill of the driver and mechanic is ultimatly what will win the race**

 

Wrong, the new Lightning Mustang will eat up any other Stock american car for under $60,000. A supercharger will always win against natural aspiration. Just wish I owned one.

 

At around $60k, you're in Corvette LS6 territory. Low 12s naturally aspirated with enviable resale value. Or a used Viper. Put a $3500 puffer on one of those and what do you have? I'm a fan of BBFs, but when it comes to pushrod small blocks, apples to apples, the LS1 design is sweet.

 

How many of the Ford supercharged engines are going to grenade?

 

The '03 SVT mustang cobra runs 12.70-12.80 in muscle mustangs and Fast fords The camero ran a best of 13.25.
(august issue '02)


If you ad a lighting blower pully (no chip) it runs 12.00-12.25
and with E/T street slicks 11.60-11.80
Go to the mag. stands and read these mods in Muscle mustangs and fast fords.

 

I think a comparison to an LS1 Camaro is apples to oranges from a price standpoint.

Sounds like Ford is going after some Z6 and Viper performance level market. What an opportunity for Daimler with the hemi back in production, but there's the Viper image and market share.

 

I guess Chrysler/Daimler has the potential to make the Hemi a competitor in the performance arena, but they are way behind in having a body/chassis to put it in. I don't see them having anything for the new lightning with 500 hp and 500 tq. It isn't going to happen anytime soon. And this is just for the trucks. What are they going to put this motor in that resembles a car? A PT Loser? lol Chrysler has been out of the performance scene as far as the pony car's for way too long to make a dent in it. The closest thing that they have to an entry is the SRT/4, and for 20,000.00 it looks to be a blast. But for the real horsepower they have nothing in the way of a car. Not for a few years anyway, the people that tune and race their cars are not going to pay 30,000.00 for a Pacifica, or anything resembling it and start modifying it. That is just my opinion though. I liken it to Ford winning the war with GM when GM did away with the Camaro/Firebird. Ford builds what sells in great volume. GM sells ugly stuff like the Aztec/Avalanche.

 

Like the GT-40 or the thunderbomb. Is that high volume? 500 hp out of a 5.4 sounds like a ticking warranty timebomb to me. Same for the 390 4.6.

 

One would certainly think so, but when the 4.6 came to be a performance motor Ford said that it was capable of 475+ warrantable horsepower. Wouldn't you have loved to have one of those when you were 18 and bulletproof? lol