300 6 vs 302
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From: Castlegar BC Canada
300 6 vs 302
I have had a debate with friends for a while. Does a 302 get better gas milage than a 6. They say yes, I say no. I am considering taking out the 300 and putting in a 302. Would I really notice a dramatic drop in fuel milage? (Being a stock 302 out af a 79 Fairmont)Would I have anymore noticeable power?
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Joined: Jul 2001
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From: South Kitsap County, WA
300 6 vs 302
The 302's and 300's I've encountered have had about the same mileage. The 300 is a long stroke motor so it provides good low end torque. In stock form, the 300 is only running a single barrel at about 110CFM, the 302 comes with a small 2-bbl (I think it's a 275CFM Motorcraft or something like that). The 302 has a bit more high end hp than the 300, but it's going in a truck not a sports car. IMO hp is not something I'd trouble myself with unless you plan on flat out haulin'.
The parts for the 302 are cheaper and easier to find if you want to upgrade.
-Kerry
The parts for the 302 are cheaper and easier to find if you want to upgrade.
-Kerry
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From: Nebraska
300 6 vs 302
They'll both do about the same for mileage. It depends much more on the vehicle they're in; weight, axles, tranny, etc.
My 302 gets slightly better (~1 mpg) than my 300, but I attribute that to having an overdrive gear and EFI may help a little.
As for power, I wouldn't say either has "more power" than the other, it's just where they make it. The 300 has lots of torque way down low where a truck should have. The 302 needs to rev more to make its power, and will probably feel a little faster. But you definately will notice less in the low end.
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1995 F-150 Supercab XLT 155" 4x4 M5OD 302
1986 F-150 4x4 NP435 300
My 302 gets slightly better (~1 mpg) than my 300, but I attribute that to having an overdrive gear and EFI may help a little.
As for power, I wouldn't say either has "more power" than the other, it's just where they make it. The 300 has lots of torque way down low where a truck should have. The 302 needs to rev more to make its power, and will probably feel a little faster. But you definately will notice less in the low end.
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1995 F-150 Supercab XLT 155" 4x4 M5OD 302
1986 F-150 4x4 NP435 300
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Joined: Jul 2002
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From: East Freetown, MA
300 6 vs 302
I would stick with the 300 all day long.....the 302 does get better gas mileage though, doesn't nearly have as much torque as the 300. This is cause due to the larger stroke the 300 has. I recently built a 300 for my truck and it is pushin numbers like 320 hp at 365 ft/lbs of torque. If I was to upgrade to an 8 I would only go with a 400 or 460. Just my .02 cents.
Later
Chris
Later
Chris
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Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Orlando USA
300 6 vs 302
I've got a 300 straight six with a 4spd manual overdrive with a 2.75 rear end. I get good gas mileage despite needing a carb rebuild. I think that's mostly because of my tranny and rear end though. The 302 does get slightly better gas mileage than the 300, but it is barely noticeable. The 302 also has more horsepower. Despite this, I'd stick with a 300 over a 302 any day. It has lots of low end torque, so you don't have to rev the hell out of it. I don't know of a more reliable engine and I can't think of anything any easier to work on than a full size truck with a carburated straight six.
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