1988 302 build
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Oct 2025
Posts: 40
Likes: 1
1988 302 build
I’ve recently purchased a 302 Thats been bored over .060… for my 1988 f150 with M5OD transmission Fresh bearings and heads rebuilt. I’m wanting to roller cam swap it. I purchased a 35-320-8 Comp cam to try to keep my speed density setup happy but I’m thinking about returning it and going for a bigger cam with a pimpx computer or Holley sniper.
looking for some guidance because this is my first build.
looking for some guidance because this is my first build.
Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 12,837
Likes: 2,437
‘88 seems to be the conversion year for roller ready blocks so is yours drilled and tapped for the spider? According to Summit Racing those cam specs are for use with 1.7 rocker arms. What heads are you using? What is your plan for the truck? There are a lot of 302 build threads in this forum as well as in the engine forum. In fact there is an ’88 302 build that was brought back from the dead right below this one. Have you read through some of them to see what other people have done? The Pimpx computer is almost $900 and then you need to factor in your ability to tune it. Personally, I would have passed on a .060 over block. From what I read a few years ago that is too much which can cause overheating problems.
EDIT: What are you going to be doing with the exhaust: keeping the stock system, shorties with stock/ aftermarket cat back system or long tube headers with custom system?
EDIT: What are you going to be doing with the exhaust: keeping the stock system, shorties with stock/ aftermarket cat back system or long tube headers with custom system?
Last edited by My4Fordtrucks; Dec 17, 2025 at 10:37 AM.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 5,076
Likes: 865
From: N.W. Alabama
You better read, about Holley EFI, again, that Distributor comes with nothing, EFI, it is only a ignition upgrade $800, then you buy the Holley EFI $1300-1700, then you need a lower intake to slap that carb looking EFI on, now your $2100-2500 into Holley.
Thread Starter
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Oct 2025
Posts: 40
Likes: 1
‘88 seems to be the conversion year for roller ready blocks so is yours drilled and tapped for the spider? According to Summit Racing those cam specs are for use with 1.7 rocker arms. What heads are you using? What is your plan for the truck? There are a lot of 302 build threads in this forum as well as in the engine forum. In fact there is an ’88 302 build that was brought back from the dead right below this one. Have you read through some of them to see what other people have done? The Pimpx computer is almost $900 and then you need to factor in your ability to tune it. Personally, I would have passed on a .060 over block. From what I read a few years ago that is too much which can cause overheating problems.
EDIT: What are you going to be doing with the exhaust: keeping the stock system, shorties with stock/ aftermarket cat back system or long tube headers with custom system?
EDIT: What are you going to be doing with the exhaust: keeping the stock system, shorties with stock/ aftermarket cat back system or long tube headers with custom system?
The truck is my daily driver. Ive already put long tubes and true dualed the exhaust. I want in time to put some bigger heads but know I’m limited by computer right now so if that means learning how to tune it myself is what needs to happen I’m confident I can figure it out
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2025
Posts: 1,772
Likes: 388
There is always the Holley Terminator X for ford so you don’t have to change intakes. I know a few with them that love it due to not really having to truly dig into tuning. One of them has a twin turbo foxbody. He switched from pimpx to Holley bc he didn’t learn how to tune it.
Last edited by 90project5.0; Dec 17, 2025 at 12:38 PM.
Thread Starter
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Oct 2025
Posts: 40
Likes: 1
There is always the Holley Terminator X for ford so you don’t have to change intakes. I know a few with them that love it due to not really having to truly dig into tuning. One of them has a twin turbo foxbody. He switched from pimpx to Holley bc he didn’t learn how to tune it.
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 9,540
Likes: 2,032
From: North Texas
That cam is fine for a truck, upgrade the garbage E7s if you want to make some actual power and do a smaller cam. You will have a far better time driving it.
The cost of that camshaft is wild, one could have a custom unit ground for less
NO speed density will not like that cam selection, there are plenty of SD compatible cams about if you research...
As stated, verify you have a roller block. My 05/88 did not. Pal's 11/88 did.
These made about 130rwhp stock, what are you after? I would sell that to some fool, 351W swap it...unless you know who actually assembled that unit
The cost of that camshaft is wild, one could have a custom unit ground for less
NO speed density will not like that cam selection, there are plenty of SD compatible cams about if you research...
As stated, verify you have a roller block. My 05/88 did not. Pal's 11/88 did.
These made about 130rwhp stock, what are you after? I would sell that to some fool, 351W swap it...unless you know who actually assembled that unit
Last edited by Hit Man X; Dec 17, 2025 at 01:08 PM.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2025
Posts: 1,772
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I had looked into the terminator also, and with the price of pimpx they are almost the same money. I don’t have a laptop or any experience with tuning but I also had no idea experience with wrenching until a couple years ago and after pulling engines and transmissions from multiple vehicles I feel I can fake it till I make it
Ive wrenched all my life off and on, but avoided electrics like the plague! It’s been frustrating and and fun to learn at the same time. It’s a challenge.
Last edited by 90project5.0; Dec 17, 2025 at 01:13 PM.
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Tuned
Joined: May 2024
Posts: 303
Likes: 150
I don't know if a factory EFI manifold will support 400HP, if it doesn't you'll be in for the cost of a manifold plus injectors. If you want to do it on the cheap side, find a used Edelbrock aluminum 4bbl intake on FBM and slap a Sniper on it. You will need the Hyperspark box, but you can reuse the factory EFI distributor to trigger it.
https://fordsix.com/threads/wiring-t...ark-box.83759/
https://fordsix.com/threads/wiring-t...ark-box.83759/
Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 1,231
Likes: 284
From: NT, See you in the
Agreed with ASSassin X. I would drop the 302 and go with a 351w block. These trucks arent exactly light and you'll benefit from more Tq down low than the 302 provides. I had an 86 bronco with an EFI 302 and it was gutless.
351w build, stroke it out to a 392 or 408, or go 460.
351w build, stroke it out to a 392 or 408, or go 460.
Thread Starter
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Oct 2025
Posts: 40
Likes: 1
That cam is fine for a truck, upgrade the garbage E7s if you want to make some actual power and do a smaller cam. You will have a far better time driving it.
The cost of that camshaft is wild, one could have a custom unit ground for less
NO speed density will not like that cam selection, there are plenty of SD compatible cams about if you research...
As stated, verify you have a roller block. My 05/88 did not. Pal's 11/88 did.
These made about 130rwhp stock, what are you after? I would sell that to some fool, 351W swap it...unless you know who actually assembled that unit
The cost of that camshaft is wild, one could have a custom unit ground for less
NO speed density will not like that cam selection, there are plenty of SD compatible cams about if you research...
As stated, verify you have a roller block. My 05/88 did not. Pal's 11/88 did.
These made about 130rwhp stock, what are you after? I would sell that to some fool, 351W swap it...unless you know who actually assembled that unit
I already have the engine I was gonna use torn down and am $600 in the hole for. I doubt someone will buy it with being so over bored. Finding a roller block 351 would be my ideal situation but working with what I have right now
the block I have is a roller block
Thread Starter
|
5th Wheeling
Joined: Oct 2025
Posts: 40
Likes: 1
I don't know if a factory EFI manifold will support 400HP, if it doesn't you'll be in for the cost of a manifold plus injectors. If you want to do it on the cheap side, find a used Edelbrock aluminum 4bbl intake on FBM and slap a Sniper on it. You will need the Hyperspark box, but you can reuse the factory EFI distributor to trigger it.
https://fordsix.com/threads/wiring-t...ark-box.83759/
https://fordsix.com/threads/wiring-t...ark-box.83759/
Thread Starter
|
5th Wheeling
Joined: Oct 2025
Posts: 40
Likes: 1
how would I be able to learn to tune without psychically having a vehicle to learn to tune on?
Thread Starter
|
5th Wheeling
Joined: Oct 2025
Posts: 40
Likes: 1
That cam is fine for a truck, upgrade the garbage E7s if you want to make some actual power and do a smaller cam. You will have a far better time driving it.
The cost of that camshaft is wild, one could have a custom unit ground for less
NO speed density will not like that cam selection, there are plenty of SD compatible cams about if you research...
As stated, verify you have a roller block. My 05/88 did not. Pal's 11/88 did.
These made about 130rwhp stock, what are you after? I would sell that to some fool, 351W swap it...unless you know who actually assembled that unit
The cost of that camshaft is wild, one could have a custom unit ground for less
NO speed density will not like that cam selection, there are plenty of SD compatible cams about if you research...
As stated, verify you have a roller block. My 05/88 did not. Pal's 11/88 did.
These made about 130rwhp stock, what are you after? I would sell that to some fool, 351W swap it...unless you know who actually assembled that unit