Any one have some progressive (Cheapest to most costly) ideas on how to performance tune a 5.0L EFI 302? I have a stock 302 in my '86 Bronco. It is lifted on 35" BFGs. It has a 6" suspension and 3" body lift (I got her that way).

I noticed I'm only getting @ 8-10 mpg? Takes over 50 bucks just to fill her up. I've gotta get some mpg gains, but don't want to sacrifice too much HP....cause I don't have much with the lift and tires. Oh yea, 4.10 gears.

I have some limited wrenching experience, but can't bore out pistons or tear apart a tranny.

Big Red does have a shift kit, kevlar bands, also done before I acquired it.

 

new plugs stay away from splitfires{ just a rip off}, and champion {they foul to easy}, id use ac delco or autolite, quality set of wires, cap and rotor be sure to use a set with brass contacts. also a free flowing air breather. hotter coil for better spark, quality headers,stay away from off brand they will just give you problems turbo flow mufflers not glasspacks,{ they actually cause more turbilance and rob power and performance} not to mention are teenager loud try to keep your foot light on the gas

 

well 7fords is on the right track. but gears to a 4.56 or swaping to a 351w would be the best bang for your buck. you can throw alot of coin at a 5.0 an still not get the performance your looken for.

 

i agree with kemical. swappin to a 351w..course thats his advice to everyproblem dealing with a 302..lol sry man. but i stand with him every bit of the way in sayin that the 351w is the way to go if your willing. ive heard of far better milage with more power outta the 351w. im still workin on mine and should hae it done in the next few monthes. and i cant wait.. other then that..ive got 32x11.50's ona stock motor( 302 246k milage), true duels, k&n air filter, msd tfi blaster coil with autolite's gap'd to 56. and im get 16 mpg about 14.5 avg tho. if i remeber right tho kemical gets like 18 mpg outta his 351w tho..so lol thats goodenough in my book to swap

 

There is nothing wrong with a 302. Don't let them make you think that your engine is helpless to getting more power. There is a world of aftermarket mods for the 302, many more then offered for the 351. This is becuase many of the parts for the Mustang will hook up to your rig. Such as superchargers and turbos.

I would start off with a good tune up. Get some 9mm wires and some Motorcraft plugs. I gained 1 mpg more when I put a K&N in my Bronco. I also wrapped my whole intake housing in thermal tape. I have a 3inch single exhaust with a free flowing catco cat. and Flowmaster. That is the best mod I have done so far for better mpg and HP. You can also always convert to mass air. When you do that your eec will accept a more radical cam. Do you have an AOD or C-6? The C-6 does not have an O/D so your mpg at highway speeds will be a little more rough then that with an AOD.

Now, I did put a 302 H.O. in my truck(some pics in my gallery). I have a more radical cam and roller lifters. I had a 90 with a 351, and my 302 would run circles around it. Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with a 351, and there is no replacment for displacement but the 302 is just as good as an engine.

I too thought of going to a 351 when I needed a new engine. I did not because of the mess with trying to find a new computer and flywheel to hook up to my AOD, and the HP and Torque gain was not enough to make it worth it. Now I am very happy that I did not do the swap because of the limited mods. I plan on supercharging my truck down the road and the selection for the 351 was just not enough. Just my opinions, thoughts and tips.

 

well you can put all that mustang stuff on a truck 302 but will not give you the proper power delivery you need for an almost 5000lb rig. the truck market for efi 302 is no different then the 5.8. and you can run the same SC on a 5.8 as a 302. no i can agree that the 302 revs much higher and for him getting the flexplate an ecu would be a pain. he also had to farm out the labor . I did my motor swap in my driveway by myself in a week taking my time. now if he put a stock 302 back in i dont think he would be as happy as he is with the HO setup. the 5.8 has 40 more lb torque then the 5.0 stock for stock. and the motors cost the same . think of how much money you would have to spend to gain that 40lbs on a 302 would be close to buying another engine.
But i think you should focus on gears, and a good flowing exhaust. then see if you need more.
Kameronth is a good guy and knows his stuff for sure. just presenting all your options
just because i was were you are now before i did my swap and have never looked back.

 

guys! guys! I think he is talking about getting better gas milage. Putting a 5.8 is not going to give him better gas milage. The only way for a bronco to get better gas milage is to tow it. or you can put a block of wood under the gas peddle.

 

18 mpg going down hill with a strong back wind.

 

16.5 is the best mpg i have gotten with my 5.8 but that was better then the 14 i was getting with the stock 302 and headers.

 

ok..my bad..i thought u said 18..but i didnt look in past posts to confirm..but still 16.5 ona 351 isnt bad at all considerin that hes gettin more power for less gas..and hopfully i'll get the same with my 351... now as far as limited after market parts for the 351w, if you look threw summit there are alot of aftermarket parts. alot of them interchangeable with the 302. and as for the flexplat and ecu, go to napa or autozone and get a used one, i looked wasnt to hard to find. as for the after market parts for the mustang, well there more designed for revy 302's not the low end grunt that we need. not sayin that u cant build it to make nice lowend tourq, but for alot less u can throw a cam ina 351 and get more for cheaper then to get comparable with the 302. the longer stroke of the 351 helps with the trucks alot. sometimes i think that i shoulda stuck with the 302, now that im 800$ down for the 351 its to late, but for me it'll be alotta fun to tinker with it and have it the way i want and to build a stronger then stock motor that will be ready for more agressive upgrades when im ready and money permitting..somthing i cant do with the 302 for now. later i might rebuild the 302, but it'll go ina dune buggy or sumthin ; )..so for u if your not comfortable or dont have the time or want the headach ( which it can be at times). then have ur 302 rebuilt, or just tuned up

 

Thanks abunch guys, lots of good input. I too thought of upgrading to the 351W, and with time and oppty, will do so. For now, money is tighter and I have some good direction for playing with the 302. You guys rock!