Hey guys new to this. Got my first F 150 truck. 1984 F150 V8 2bl 302. I want to get the most HP out it i can. Any suggestions. On a budget so and advice would be welcome and appreciated. Thanks

 

The exhaust system is the first major upgrade. Headers really aren't worth it on these trucks. I never noticed much of a difference going from stock manifolds to long tubes. Not for the pain they bring. A 2.5" dual in to 3" single exhaust system works best on these trucks with a straight through perforated ( not louvered) muffler. I.E Magnaflow or equivalent. the 2.5" dual to single 3" builds torque. I had flex pipe and glasspacks on my truck and then went to that. Wow!

Next is the carb/intake. Is yours Duraspark II (module on fender) or TFI ignition (module on distributor and no vacuum advance) ?

Setting the timing straight up would also help quite a bit with power and efficiency. This requires a double roller timing set with adjustable crankshaft degree advance/retard slots on the crank sprocket.


How many miles are on the engine?

 

What are your intended uses for the truck? Towing? Cruising only? Both?

What transmission and axle ratio do you have?

These questions are important because you might not have a truck rated for what you want to do, and it would take more than power to fix that. So, let's start with the basics.

 

Check out the ordering a build sheet sticky.