Ok fellas, here we go. I have a 96 F150 (190,000 miles) sporting a 302 EFI Internal Combustion American (no Ingines in my truck). Not sure about the Tranny, but the gears are stock (32 inch tires). Upgrades include: K&N Cold Air Intake, New Plugs, New MSD Wires, New MSD Coil, Almost all new Cooling Hoses and Accel Rotor Cap. This truck was left to me by my recently passed Father-In-Law so I am very uncertian of the maintenence prior to a year ago. Since I have had her, all the regular and beyond maintenece has be dead nuts. She runs and idels very well with no leaks, misses or knocks. However the exhaust is pretty rusted out (She's been sittin on the farm for some time).

My questin is this. How is my money best spint when looking for more power. As is she is a bit of a dog at low RPM. I have a pretty decent buget, but she is and always will be a daily driver. I don't need outstanding MPG, but something around 16 to 12 MPG would be nice.

Can I modify my 302 enough (ie: Headers, Cat Back Dual Exhaust, Performance Cam, Chips, etc.) or should I start looking at a bigger Motor. (Any suggestons) I have recently found out that my truck has 2 Cats in the plumbing system and I have kicked around the Idea of removing one or both, but would this kill my back pressure. Please keep in mind that she will be seeing at least a 6 inch lift and 35 inch tires in the future so new gears are already in the buget.

Please help with any and all ideas. Anything you have ever wanted to try. I have been saving for a build up like this for years, but I don't really want to waste money on experimenting I if can be avoided. I will dig up any additional information if need.

Thanks....

 

a new flowmaster exhaust with 40 series mufflers,msd ignition,gut the smog pump or get the eliminator pulley that is for a mustang like one for my old 95 ho302 stang,chip for the computer,vortech supercharger,nitrus is the cheapest solution for cheap power gain,cam and lifters kit,march underdrive pulley kit,the air pump eliminator kit is #FMS-M-8604-A50,this is the ford racing # in summit racing book,trick flow heads or the trick flow power package in summit racing book,shorty headman hedders,or a 302 ho out of a 95 cobra which really for the money is great for you with money left over,it has gt 40 heads which are great for the money. well If you want my opinion I would order a 95 cobra 302 ho engine,it is the best for a budget!!! take it from a exmustang owner and f150 owner!!

 

i had a 1995 extended cab, 5.o 3.55s, limited slip, everything stock, mine had plenty of go, i even put 35s on it, i could still light up both of them on a 90 degree summer day on a nice strip of blacktop, so i dont understand why you think you have no power, these motors make their power at high rpms, the best thing you could do is get a cam and lifter set, that should give you some low rpm power, next, that second cat, starving power right there, may i suggest getting the summit brand exhaust from summit, 3 inch single exit, those summit mufflers soud great with the 5.o no rear converter with that many miles if they are stock, they are probably clogged anyway, if you want to gain even more power, get some new heads, i dont know what your budget is, but boost your compression a little bit, not too much, you still want it to run on pump gas, headers will free up some power

 

I called FORD RACING to ask them if the smog pump eliminator bracket would work on a truck or van and was told that it would not work...

 

it will but they just do not recommende it I had 88 and it worked well and on my mustang the same!!!

 

You don't need the air pump eliminator thing. Take the air pump off and get a shorter belt. I used a belt that was 92 5/8 inches long on mine and it has been working great for the past 20,000 miles.

 

Do not put any money into a 302. Those were the economy engines for those trucks; good for a Mustang, not good for a truck. You will want a 351 in there if you plan to have power. Stock to stock, a 351 is about the same MPG as the 302. The truck in my sig. is at 14 MPG.

Also, don't spend money on any exhaust. A 351 sounds incredible with a straight pipe after the cat. I am also in Cincy so look for the truck with BIG brass *****. I love my trucks sound, every guy that I have talked to loves my trucks sound and a straight pipe doesn't require a $100 muffler.

Stock E7 heads are more than good enough if you are keeping this a truck. If you are planning on going to the track, you will want aluminum heads for the high RPMs. Otherwise the E7s will flow plenty fine for a low RPM truck motor.

If you tell us more about what your final goals are we can help you more. Also, read up on the 351 swap in the engine forum, it is very easy for that truck. I have just stripped a Bronco and I have a complete running 351. PM me if you are interested. We are in the same town so you are welcome to see what I have done so far.

Mike

 

okay wise guys if you got the money for all that gas he is going to burn up, he said something between 12mpg to 16 mpg not 6
or 7 or 5 with a stupid big block or the other crap you guys mentioned, look you can make decent streetable performance with 4x4 and it being a truck not a a ****ing mustang coupe, I had a 302 ho and it was great performance for the money and time spent , or do you guys prefer chevy **** ,the 302 I had could take a 350,bonestock or pumped up and it was not pumped up that much,because it is a roller motor with enough horses to beat around on the street ,you also have to add in costs versus big block stuff ,plus any more powerful and you have to consider a tougher trans ,etc.

 

I'll second the 351 swap. YES.. you can get good power out of a 302, but it'll be 1500rpm higher up than what the 351 will do, and that will cost you at the gas pump. My 351 gets 13mpg city and 17 hwy and that's because it easily moves the truck around without spinning over 3500rpm. Yes, the extra 55 cubic inches makes a big difference.

 

Bones318v8;

Please continue to use this site to expand your understanding of these trucks. We are not saying that the 302 is a bad motor. The Mustang crowd will always keep that motor alive; as will people that use their truck at the track.

We are saying that the 351 is a better choice for Mountaineer’s build. The only cost difference is the block, crank, rods, and lower intake; all other parts are the same and interchangeable. The 302 could be a decent motor-that is not in question. The question is how is his money best spent. The answer in my opinion is to use the money to build a 351. There is no replacement for displacement.

Mountaineer;

I would encourage you to review the small block forum. To my knowledge there has been no one dissatisfied by going with the 351. It will make the horsepower of the 302 as well as the torque of the 300. I think that it is the best of both worlds. If you would like to find out, I will offer to let you try my truck.

I wish you the best of luck with this project and we here at FTE will assist you in any way we can.

Mike

 

I was told that the brackets were different...

I did not second guess the guy @ the FMS tech line and check for myself, but thats what he said.

If it does work, I might consider getting one.