4.9 or 5.0
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Nov 2023
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4.9 or 5.0
I have a 94 rcswb, 5.0 5 speed with 3.55's. I'm trying to decide whether to rebuild my 302 or I've tossed the idea around of building a healthy 4.9 and swapping it in. It's partly nostalgia cause that's what I learned to drive on, and it's something different than every other 302 or 351 build.
It's just a street beater truck, I don't haul anything or go off road. It's not even a daily driver.
Which direction would you guys go and if it's the 4.9 route, what cam and head would you go with to bump up the power?
Thanks all
It's just a street beater truck, I don't haul anything or go off road. It's not even a daily driver.
Which direction would you guys go and if it's the 4.9 route, what cam and head would you go with to bump up the power?
Thanks all
Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2015
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Seems like you’re already made up your mind about swapping to a 300. Hopefully you can find a ‘94 factory 6 cylinder wire harness and computer. Rebuilding and upgrading the 302 would be a lot easier and make more power. The 6 is a good engine but it’s not for me. At 295K miles I replaced the 302 in my ‘87 Bronco with a 392. I am still working on the ‘89 F-150 frame off rebuild but I replaced the worn out 302 with a 351W in that truck.
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Nov 2023
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Seems like you’re already made up your mind about swapping to a 300. Hopefully you can find a ‘94 factory 6 cylinder wire harness and computer. Rebuilding and upgrading the 302 would be a lot easier and make more power. The 6 is a good engine but it’s not for me. At 295K miles I replaced the 302 in my ‘87 Bronco with a 392. I am still working on the ‘89 F-150 frame off rebuild but I replaced the worn out 302 with a 351W in that truck.
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Nov 2023
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I'm speed density, not maf. Not many sd friendly cams out there. Plus I like the look of a cleaner engine bay
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2021
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a 302 is going to be woken up from mechanical changes more than electrical. A carb is going to still be a low output motor unless you do mechanical work .
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2021
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I vote for 4.9, but Im partial to them since I have one. What year is the 4.9? 80s were less reliable than the 90s, and I believe 92 or 94 they got a roller camshaft. And 96 got OBD2 but 94 got MAF I think.
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5th Wheeling
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Mid 90's pickup motor. It would be a full rebuild
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Lead Driver
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if it is mid 90s (94, 95, 96 ) it should be roller cam and maf (both 5.0 and 4.9 I believe would be like that)
I am saying its a good idea. If you do, i hear a metal timing gear is a good swap but it makes it noisier. Because the phenolic OE one can wear more over time or fail.
I am saying its a good idea. If you do, i hear a metal timing gear is a good swap but it makes it noisier. Because the phenolic OE one can wear more over time or fail.
Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2015
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I assumed it was speed density since you have a 5 speed. There are better roller cams than what is currently in the engine but still computer friendly. There are dozens of threads. Short or long tube headers with a better flowing exhaust system will help.
Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2017
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From: Northern Ontario
It sounds like you want better performance, yet step backwards / smaller at the same time?..
Different EFI 300 engine or 302 and carb, intake, modify fuel system, etc. You’re ok with the EFI on the 300, but not the 302? I don’t understand why?
Imo, EFI 302. Or go bigger, EFI 351 and build to suit the performance you are looking for. Clean up the engine bay, paint it, clean up the wiring nicely, etc.
Personally, I just can’t imagine going back to a carb, ..unless it’s an original carb car/truck and you want to keep it all original.
I’d start reading through threads on here before you decide, you might like some of the other options out there.
Good luck in the project.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2021
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while speed density isn’t as good as maf, it’s also still pretty good when you have everything in proper order. Factory eec-iv speed density never killed no one and moves many trucks happily down the road
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: May 2006
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From: Central Mississippi
Very popular misconception. Otherwise you could find dozens of success story threads instead of "I'm going to do it anyway against all advice..."
And never heard from again.
And never heard from again.
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: North Texas
302 will make decent power with heads, the E7s are garbage. They barely flow past 150cfm intake side around 0.500"...yah lame. Stock SD relies upon engine vacuum to meter fueling, easy...so you need to understand camshafts to make one produce similar or more vac than stock. Simple. You can easily add 20-30* dur at 0.050" and 0.100" more lift with modest off seat events and LSA to keep it tame. Remember 87-88 302HO were speed density too.
Anyway, the 4.9 needs a pile of work to make power. The EFI setup is nearly maxed out stock to run on cheap fuel and pass smog, you can do a modestly spicier camshaft and home port the head, but that is about it.
I have both and Diesel. Just depends what you prefer to drive about.
Anyway, the 4.9 needs a pile of work to make power. The EFI setup is nearly maxed out stock to run on cheap fuel and pass smog, you can do a modestly spicier camshaft and home port the head, but that is about it.
I have both and Diesel. Just depends what you prefer to drive about.