HP on a budget
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From: Atlanta
HP on a budget
Im gettin a 92 f-150 4wd 5spd with a 5.0, its bone stock and my uncle has owned it since it was new. hes babied it and it looks and runs just as good as it did in 92. it has about 126000 miles on it with 30000 on a new shortblock engine. there was a freak accident that happened that required the replacement of the engine. the diaphragm on the regulator burst and when the key was turned it filled a few of the cylinders with fuel and when he tried to start it it bent a few rods. but anyway, i was wonderin if it would be possible to get 250-300 hp from it with under 3 grand. i do all of my own work so labor isnt an issue. also i dont really care about emissions, as long as it passes here in GA i dont care. i would especially like to get rid of that stupid air pump and possiblly the egr valve. both take away power and screw things up. thx for your help 
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It is very much possible to get 300-350 hp at the crank with your 302.
Spend that $3000 (or part of) into a set of decent heads like afr's, then get a complementary camshaft from say comp cams, then get a chip specific to the mods you have done, you should at that point be in the neighborhood and fairly happy, if possible go ahead and stroke that sucker to bring up your torque potential and then you should be even happier with it.
If you have testing I would say you need to keep your emissions equipment, it doesn't really hurt performance, all it does is hurt the pocket when the crappy sensors stop working and you try and track the source down and shell out the $40-80 per sensor.
Just a thought, being its a 4X4 is off roading your primary reason for a modified engine? If so, you might focus on increasing your cubic inches either through a stroker or engine replacement. The addition of better heads would still help you achieve your goals a lot easier, as they are the weakest or poorest part of your 302 engine form a performance perspective. Just a thought, good luck with your truck
Spend that $3000 (or part of) into a set of decent heads like afr's, then get a complementary camshaft from say comp cams, then get a chip specific to the mods you have done, you should at that point be in the neighborhood and fairly happy, if possible go ahead and stroke that sucker to bring up your torque potential and then you should be even happier with it.
If you have testing I would say you need to keep your emissions equipment, it doesn't really hurt performance, all it does is hurt the pocket when the crappy sensors stop working and you try and track the source down and shell out the $40-80 per sensor.
Just a thought, being its a 4X4 is off roading your primary reason for a modified engine? If so, you might focus on increasing your cubic inches either through a stroker or engine replacement. The addition of better heads would still help you achieve your goals a lot easier, as they are the weakest or poorest part of your 302 engine form a performance perspective. Just a thought, good luck with your truck
Last edited by jwtaylor; Jun 22, 2004 at 07:04 AM.
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yea, torque and low end would probably be more important than hp if i was to go off roading, but i probably wont with it. its such a beautiful truck, i would hate to screw it up. i was also thinkin of converting it to 2wd, b/c i live in the city, and i wouldnt need it. also the 4wd drivetrain is not as durable as a 2wd drivetrain in terms of less repair and maintenance and it costs less to replace. i would hate to know the price of a new transfer case and front drivetrain. however the truck is already 4wd, and why not keep it that way? its been like that for 126000 and shows no stopping now. anyway i was thinkin of some gt-40 (aluminum) or gt-40 p (iron) heads from ford racing. the iron heads pretty cheap, at about $400 for a pair. or maybe a set of trick flow twisted wedge heads. but im not really sure which. anyone have experience with them? the best bang for the buck? and what are afr's?
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From: iowa
just heard about these heads and saw the listed. they are pro topline heads they offer great flow and are reasonably priced. I would buy them if i was building a windor.
http://www.protopline.com
http://www.protopline.com
Last edited by fordeverpower; Jun 24, 2004 at 01:43 AM.
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It really depends on you, the gt-40 would make a difference but if you have a $3000 budget to blow on the motor, then I would get some aftermarket heads, edelbrock or afr's, everything you do potential wise is based off the capability of your heads. You can do a search for tri state cylinder heads, they offer brand new gt-40p heads with stainless valves larger than stock with a valve job and mild port work on the bowls for $520 thats a pretty good deal, but keep in mind, finding aftermarket heads in used good condition for 6-800 isn't a stretch. If you don't know, NOt all headers work with the gt-40p heads. They make specific headers for the P heads but some non P headers will work. Even if it were a 2wd truck the more torque the better, primarily due to the weight of the vehicle more so than the intended use. Good luck
Last edited by jwtaylor; Jun 24, 2004 at 08:45 AM.
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In a truck of your vintage the front end will lastas long with 4wd as 2wd if the hubs aren't engaged then nothing else runs. As for heads world products makes a great cast heads the roush 180 thats reasonably priced, you have to be careful because too much flow causes a loss of low end and in a truck this wont make you happy, to much cam causes tha same thing.
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Originally Posted by lvmoose007
Kenne-Bell screw compressor. It is over $3000, but most anything else you do will kill off low end torque.
How ya figuring that most any modifications other than forced induction will kill torque?? Definitly not the case my friend. Plenty of torque and HP to be had for 3K in investment.
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From: Oregon: Land of the Majes
Wow, I love rehashed arguments....
Anyway, Ford motor company is a cheater. The 302, by its' very design, is not a great motor for low end torque. But they made it produce decent low rpm torque, by the design of the intake (REALLLY long runners), small heads, and restrictive exhaust. The first thing that happens, when you mess with that formula? The torque peak moves up further into the RPM band. You cannot stop it. You can increase the amount of torque, but you cannot keep the torque peak at factory rpm level, down low where the trucks need it, at the same time...unless:
You increase engine displacement..
Increase compression level....
Do a long-rod kit...
You add a positive-displacement air compressor or mover (Kenne bell, or roots supercharger)....centrifigal blowers could add boost at lower rpm, but it would take a small one to do it, or two small turbos....
This is why I continue to say that the 302 is just about the worst engine Ford could have tossed into their trucks. Either a modified 300-6, or a 351w would be better.
Anyway, Ford motor company is a cheater. The 302, by its' very design, is not a great motor for low end torque. But they made it produce decent low rpm torque, by the design of the intake (REALLLY long runners), small heads, and restrictive exhaust. The first thing that happens, when you mess with that formula? The torque peak moves up further into the RPM band. You cannot stop it. You can increase the amount of torque, but you cannot keep the torque peak at factory rpm level, down low where the trucks need it, at the same time...unless:
You increase engine displacement..
Increase compression level....
Do a long-rod kit...
You add a positive-displacement air compressor or mover (Kenne bell, or roots supercharger)....centrifigal blowers could add boost at lower rpm, but it would take a small one to do it, or two small turbos....
This is why I continue to say that the 302 is just about the worst engine Ford could have tossed into their trucks. Either a modified 300-6, or a 351w would be better.
Last edited by lvmoose007; Jun 28, 2004 at 01:32 PM.
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How is everyone? Im new here and i just wanted to say that not too long ago i had a 1-horsepower-per-cubic-inch 351w built at a local machine shop for far less than $3000. It rips in my '73 shortbed.
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well moose, you dident say thet you were referring to just the 5.0, you only made the broad statement that most anything else you do will kill of low end torque. I'm pretty sure you could be diligent with a DD program and come up with combinations that will increase your torque down low though, even in a 5.0. But I agree, you'll achieve better results obtaining your torque down low with more displacement.
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Well, there are a whole bunch of people that have figured out their cam change, heads, exhaust, headers, etc. now make their trucks run so much stronger. The "disadvantage" you speak of in regards to the small amount of rpm band increase is vastly overpowered by the amount of torque gain. I know plenty of people that couldent get their tires to spin at all with a stock 5.0, and now they're amazed at the small amount of throttle it takes before their tires spin and the amazement at the increased towing ability, power to pull, etc. Thats still torque where you need it, even if it's not at the "factory" level.