Ok I am rebuilding the stock 302 in my 89 ford. I want to keep it fuel injected and get abit more power then stock, but nothing too crazy. Im going to get one of those rebuild kits, and rebuild the bottom end. So what I need to know, is what would a good cam to get be, and would it be worth it for me to port my stock heads, or get a set of 351w heads from around the same year. I can get a set of heads from the wrecker down here for pretty cheap. Any other things I should be looking for? I will get a different intake and exhaust system yet, but im more concerned about the "guts" of the motor. Any help is appreciated guys.

 

351W heads have been the same as the 302 heads since 1978 so you won't gain anything unless you go older.

 

Ok so porting my 302 heads it is! I thought maybe the heads would be better from a 351, for some reason or another.

 

You could use explorer heads, they flow better but if you port your stock heads they would flow prolly close to the same. also these haeds have a diff plug angle, so they can be a bit difficult unless you want to use the explorer manifolds.

 

I am going to be going with headers sooner or later. What kind "explorer" heads are you talking about?

 

He is referring to 5.0L Explorer GT-40P head. The GT-40P was used from 1997-2001 on the 5.0L Explorers. The GT-40 was used on 1996 Explorers, along with '93-'95 Cobra's and Lightnings. The GT-40 heads don't require different headers, but the GT-40P's do.

I assume you are talking about a '89 Ford Truck, which should have E7TE heads and not a "lo-po" out of a Crown Vic, Grand Marquis, or Town Car which would have different, worse heads.

 

Yeah its a ford truck, thanks for the clarification about the heads too, I was unfamiliar with them. After doing some research too, It sounds like I might want to do a maf conversion.

 

With a mild build, a MAF swap isn't necessary; at best, you may need an adjustable fuel pressure regulator. The lobe separation on the cam has to be 114 or better and I'd recommend getting a custom grind cam as well; they're a little more expensive than an OTS cam, but it takes the guess work out of choosing one that is right for your combo.

 

So what kind of companies, keeping in mind Im canadian, do custom grind cams? Also what am I looking at for having to do with the computer, as I presume I cant leave it stock, or can i?

 

dont run an adjustable fuel pressure regulator, the computer wont know what to do with the extra fuel anyway. compcam has a 31-255-5 cam that will run nicely with your application and is speed density friendly or install a stock mustang gt cam and run a 1.7 rocker. Have your E7 heads gone thru with larger valves and some port work. keep the upper/lower intake it flows plenty. run some jba,gibson,bbk,bassani headers either are good quality. then get the bassani Y pipe with hi flow cat and run 3" exhaust out stock location. you can do all of this and keep the efi you have with no issues.

 

So what am I looking at for realistic HP and torque improvement with the mods you just mentioned kemical? I do believe my 302 has what, 205 HP stock?

 

hard to say honestly, may be a 50hp gain. i did a 5.8 swap because i didnt see the point in dumping money into the 302 with those same mods. how many miles are on this motor?

 

Is this the truck in your sig line? If so it'll have a roller cam in it, and it's likely OBD II... maybe with mass air. Can you confirm Sheldon?

 

No the truck I am going to be doing this stuff on is an 89 ford f150. There is 205,000 thousand kilometers on the motor, and it is leaking oil so I decided to get a rebuild kit for it, and rebuild it with the kit, and jsut wanted to boost teh power up a tad. I was thinking about doing a 5.8 liter swap, but I like my 302. Ive compared it with my buddies 5.8 and his didnt have much more power, and got alot worse mileage, so thats why I was going to stick with the 302 and put a few mods in it.

 

you would get better gains with these same mods on a 5.8 vs a 302. i also gained mpg when i did my 5.8 swap. i got 12/14 city/hwy with the 302 and 13/16 with the 5.8. but now with my 35's and 3.55 gears im getting 10mpg on the hwy and probably worse in town.