Allrighty then. I hate asking questions like these, because they're loaded with emotion, but here goes.

I am going into a full overhaul on my 302 in my '91 F-150 4x4

I do occasional towing, usually one or two motorcycles, but that's about as serious as it gets. I'm not a big off-roader.

I DO NOT have any interest in leaving the 302 platform. Leave the 351 suggestions alone. That's too easy.

Cost isn't a huge factor.

I like my gearing.

I've decided that a 331 is a nicer setup than a 347 based on what I've read on the boards.

I've also decided that I like the idea of a Powerdyne blower setup.

I've already done a MAF conversion.

I also don't really want to rev the snot out of it...my tach only reads to six grand anyway.

I've got a FMS GT-40 Intake and will keep it.

I like the FMS GT-40 X303 Heads, will likely go with those, however could be swayed.

I'm liking the FMS E303 Cam, but again, could be swayed.

For simplicity sake, the FMS Truck specific shorty headers are attractive.

So, (remember the can of worms I spoke of?) here's the questions.

-Blower or Stroker, or both?

-Can/Should I put in low-compression pistions now for a future blower upgrade? (Forged, of course.) Or will it be okay with regular, flat-top pistons.

-The Ford heads are nicely priced, I will need some serious convincing to go with a more expensive AFR or TFW head. Go ahead and try.

-I like the E303 cam, but like the heads, gimme options.

-Should I do anything special with my torque converter, like a higher/lower stall...etc...I like my driveability, ('launch' RMP, shift points, etc), so I'm not sure a pile of work needs to be done in that area. (I would like firmer shifts however, so a shift-kit is needed.).

I think that's about all for now. We'll see where this goes.

Mike

 

I vote both blower and stroker.

 

build the stroker first with low compression in mind. call comp cams before going with the e303, its a great mustang cam but frankly dont feel its worth in a truck. your gonna need a dyno tune or run a tweecer regardless of stroking or blowing that motor or both. your truck must be a manual since you converted to mass air already. what size tires are you running? your also gonna need larger injectors and recalibrated maf. and if your tranny is the manual m5od that may also become a weak link since that motor will be producing more power. also the AFR 165's on that motor would add almost 70hp i dont think the x heads can claim that. you got headers already but hows the rest of the exhaust setup? you should concider a bassini Y pipe (offroad) and 3" exhaust running out the stock location. this would top of your build.

 

It's an E4OD, I have a mass air kit from pro-m that allows my original computer to run the trans and a A9P computer from a '93 Mustang runs the engine. Not yet installed, but I have 30lb injectors and the recalibrated MAF sensor, so I believe I shouldn't have any problems with the fuel system...I'll probably have to get a new fuel pressure regulator, but that's about it...


Right now I've got stock 235/75R15 tires, but I'm considering some larger ones.

I hadn't thought much past the headers as far as exhaust went, I was just gonna get my muffler shop to do a scratch system from the headers back, but I can tell them what I want in there...Should I be comparing this Bassani Y-Pipe to anything else or is it pretty much agreed that it does the trick...

I'll check on some comp cams stuff...

Thanks, anybody else got any ideas?

Mike

 

the stock exhaust is a major bottle neck. so its fine to have a muffler shop make a custom setup for ya. i suggest you stick with a single exhaust for best performance. youll want a hi flow cat or no cat if there are no emissions issues were you live. yes the bassini Y pipe is the best and concidered bolt in practicly, then you would just get the rest of the exhaust run from there.

i would call or email comp cams. tell them the rig, what efi system your running including tranny and what else is being done to the motor. this will help them help you. i also wouldnt run anything larger then a 31" tire if you keep the gearing stock. otherwise you gotta figure on changed the gears to and that adds some $$ quick.
good luck and keep us posted.'
later

 

I have a 331, so I'm a little bit partial to the strokers. I use mine for bracket racing, so it's a little different than what your going for.

As far as the blower goes do some research on the powerdyne before you decide on that. I have read numerous reviews on them and not many of them were good.

I would suggest a cam geared more toward torque than horsepower. It has been a while so I may be mistaken but I was thinking the X303 is more of an upper RPM cam and the E303 is a good mustang cam but not a good truck cam.

If your going to run larger tires stick with the stock heads or something just slightly bigger. Big heads will make your bottom end soggy, not a good thing in a big 4x4.

Take your time and do your research

Sanders

 

info you, your lower intake is the same as the HOLLEY SYSTEMMAX. you can ditch the upper and order the Systemmax upper (Upper intake manifold only) P/N 300-74S which will help a whole lot...they are about $350

 

its the same as what?? the upper holley wont fit a stock lower or any other lower then the holley systemmax lower.

he said he is using the gt40 intake which ports are round as well

 

the upper holley will fit the stock 5.0 TRUCK LOWER
the only downfall is the holley is not reversable... it will point towards the passenger side, same as a mustang!the stock 5.0 truck lower will out flow the GT-40! that is why i kept the one off my '87 Bronco! i can get pics.

 

i'll tell you right now almost any cam you put in it will pick up some bottom end over the stocker. it would be a good idea to call comp or cran and tell them what your doing, the parts being used, and what your aiming to get out of it, then they'll stear you in the right direction. I'm running the fms B cam with cobra 1.7 roller rockers(the b cam has less lift but more duration than the e cam, more duration= higher rpm power), its not a truck cam but my truck is a lot stronger in the low rpm than with the stock cam and once it hits 3k it will pull like hell. I could have gone with a better cam but i couldn't beat the price of the fms cams.

I say have it stroked and blown, if money is not a problem. i am planing a similar 331 build but i'm gona be using an aftermarket block so i can have a higher compression and a fair amount of boost, but this wont happen for a few years though (i'm a broke college student)

Get the fms shorty headers i have them and am very pleased. The hardest part of the install was getting the bolts that were rust welded to break free(3 f-ing days in the middle of december that sucked ). I'm not sure of the performance difference between a large diameter single exaust and true duals, but if the sound matters to you go with the duals.

If i had to guess i'd say that you're not gona need more than 2600 stall converter. A shift kit would be a good idea(i've heard good things about transgo) but since you have an e40d tranny you can proably get firmer shifts with just a chip on the computer controling the tranny.

All i can realy say about heads is that you can never go wrong with a set of afr's, they are worth the extra money.

 

actually i really like your combo!!! i' would go for a 9.0:1 CR BECAUSE... It's cheaper to change a pulley than a set of pistons!!! plus if you don't go with a blower you'll still have decent power. I'm running a set of World W/Sr. on my 427!!! the Worlds are a good deal but I paid $560.00 on EBay for them. but i'll tell you this, anything over stock is a huge improvement. so that will be at you own digression. Remember your building a daily driver truck, not a pro-stock dragster.it is really easy to get sidetracked

 

I agree that anything I do will be a huge improvement over stock.

I think I've pretty much got my combo figured out, except for the heads. I don't know what to do. I've researched and determined that the AFR heads are better than the Ford heads, but I'm also concerned about this 'big head, soggy bottom' deal.

Let me see if I got this right, I know the physics of it I just need to know if this is what Sanders was getting at.

The air charge is moving so fast through the intake, then it hits the heads.
If head x has a larger intake port volume than head y, then the air charge will be moving slower by time it gets to the valve. Therefore head y will get more air into the combustion chamber than head x.

That makes sense to me from a scientific standpoint,
a) is that what Sanders meant?
b) Will that make a noticeable difference?
c) if so, why do truck guys even bother with aftermarket heads?

As I see it, there's gotta be a crossover point where the sheer volume of a port makes up for increased velocity through a smaller port.

So, as I said before...I'm confused as to what to do with the heads. I'm still leaning aftermarket, (AFR), but I want to get everyone's take on this issue.

Anyway, for now it's late and I gotta get some sleep.

Later,
Mike