Replacing a 351w options
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Salem USA
Replacing a 351w options
My 351w went out in my 1991 Ford f-250, 4x4, Automatic, air and Extra Cab. I never truly satified with the power output. Is the fresh 351 going to solve the problem or can I easily upgrade to a bigger unit? If upgrading what difficulties may I encounter. I was getting about 10mpg so I don't feel fuel economy is an issue. Any help will be appreciated.
Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
Replacing a 351w options
Your kinda stuck, unless you want to do a major swap. You could swap in a 460, but that would require changing the tranny since you have an automatic, doing a complete re-wire of the engine controls, and changing the computer to match the new wiring harness. Antoher option is to rebuild the 351, kepp the truck as-is, and look for a different one with an engine that better suits your liking. Your last option, in my opinion, is to build one hell of a smokin 351, and make the jump over to a carb. I did this on an 89 F150. I worked out great, since I didn't have to pass any emissions tests where I live. The alternator was on it's own circuit, so that worked out great. I took the easy way out, and dished out the $300 for a Ford-fitted, Chevy-style HEI distributor, leaving me only two wires to hook up for the ignition. The computer did nothing but run the gauges. It all went well, and the truck hauled @ss. If you do this, you might want to think about your torque converter, as it might not coincide with your new hi perf motor. If you want specifics, E mail me at Windsorizer(No Email Addresses In Posts!)
Tuned
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 253
Likes: 0
From: BC Canada
Replacing a 351w options
>My 351w went out in my 1991 Ford f-250, 4x4, Automatic, air
>and Extra Cab. I never truly satified with the power
>output. Is the fresh 351 going to solve the problem or can
>I easily upgrade to a bigger unit? If upgrading what
>difficulties may I encounter. I was getting about 10mpg so
>I don't feel fuel economy is an issue. Any help will be
>appreciated.
i agree with windsorizer. the 460 swap is likely too involved. you can easily get 300-350 horses out of that 351w. get some new heads, cam, headers, exhaust and even a stroker crank to turn it into a 393 stroker. it will still be reliable with gobs of torque. the tricky part is solving he limitations of the "speed-density" system. but that can be solved with a mass-air conversion kit for $600 u.s. you can do all this or like windsorizer says. get a truck with a diesel or a 460.
Rusty,
>and Extra Cab. I never truly satified with the power
>output. Is the fresh 351 going to solve the problem or can
>I easily upgrade to a bigger unit? If upgrading what
>difficulties may I encounter. I was getting about 10mpg so
>I don't feel fuel economy is an issue. Any help will be
>appreciated.
i agree with windsorizer. the 460 swap is likely too involved. you can easily get 300-350 horses out of that 351w. get some new heads, cam, headers, exhaust and even a stroker crank to turn it into a 393 stroker. it will still be reliable with gobs of torque. the tricky part is solving he limitations of the "speed-density" system. but that can be solved with a mass-air conversion kit for $600 u.s. you can do all this or like windsorizer says. get a truck with a diesel or a 460.
Rusty,
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 502
Likes: 0
From: atl
Replacing a 351w options
you could go with a blower...heh. lots of power easy. do a good quality rebuild and slap a vortech on it. that would be my choice if i was in your shoes. a 460 would be likey too involved if you were to go with fuel injection. it wouldnt be so hard with a carb, but you'd have to change a whole lot. good luck with it though
mike
mike
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 402
Likes: 0
Replacing a 351w options
I would'nt put a centrifugal blower(vortech)on a truck.You have to really rev the engine to make boost.A kenne belle or eaton positive displacement blower makes boost at lower rpm's.That is the set up the lightning uses.The speed density computer(no mass air) is a pita but you can do it with the right chip.There is a guy on this board who is running a SD 351 with a blower on a lightning.It all comes down to how much HP you want to make and how much money you want to spend.If emissions or mileage is not a concern I'd ditch the fuel injection and build a bad *** carbed 351.What tranny do you have?If it's an e40d you would have to keep the pcm to control the tranny.Or swap out to an aod or C6.Fuel injection is nice and efficient but it's a pita on an older vehicle,sensor problems, wiring problems, been there.
Billy
Billy
