just wandering if there were any bolt on mods for this engine that work well. maybe exhaust?

 

Header, cat back , basicly a full wexhuast, cams(depends on what you want to do pull or top end), intake, UDP ect

 

any recommendations on exhaust brand. i just want a little more on the bottom end

 

I dont know of any myself that would be good but maybe a set of shorty headers? I have heard that some of the long tube headers have issues with rubbing against the frame, but others will have to confirm this statement.

 

Shorty header .dual running back pass side or a ypipe and hi flow cat then split to (2) 2 1/4 or 2 1/2 pipe . Or 1 3" pipe . I like the smaller because it doesn't affect the bottom end . If you go to big pipes on 302 you will lose some on the bottom end. Good luck
Try to open up air intake aside from that you have to go in cams or put lower gears in it.

 

Just going with the shorty headers will hurt your bottom end. I would recomend long tube headers. I have flowtechs and I dont have any problems with rubbing. I can deff. tell a difference in bottom end torque. I can spin my tires alot easier and I dont have to downshift as often when going up a long hill.

 

Long tubes is the way to go with a 302.
You can run cat back if you need cats.
But, i'd go with true duals.

i think its 150 dollars you can get underdrive pullies. Thats a quickie.

You can always upgrade your air filter system, useing a big K&N Cone filter instead of the box job.

I drilled some holes in my intake for the airbox to get a little bit more air in there.

 

I have run long tubes and the clearance and routing of pipe is hassle. On the dyno the shorty and Bassani y pipe with cat and split tails worked best on the 6 302 4x4 trucks I've ran them on.

 

This is what I have done and it has worked well. Much better throttle responce, MPG and performance.

Get rid of the power steering pump and air pump system. Install a smaller belt (75 in).

Get rid of the fan and shroud. Install electric fan.

Get rid of the cats and redo the exhaust with mandrel bent stainless. Mine is 2 1/2 out of the y-pipe and reduces to 2 1/4. Single tail pipe, not dual. Manifolds, not headers.

Convert to Mass Airflow.

Install RV cam.

 

I have run 2 different brands longtubes on both the 302 and 351.. you definitely want longtubes on the 302. No fit or clearance issues worth talking about.. they don't hang low... I have several inches clearance on my front driveshaft. I have used MAC and Flowtech.

 

Underdrive pulleys(under $100), exhaust, advance timing to 14 degrees(free), K&N Filter, Crane's 1.7 "cobra" roller rockers $199(cheaper and easier to install than a cam), Larger throttle body. A set of gears will make it feel more powerful.

If you are up for changing heads, a set of GT40p heads from a 5.0 Explorer would give you a nice increase in power and not break the bank. These can be had for about $250 plus shipping on Ebay.

 

Advanceing your timeing is a good idea, but not everyone can do it.
So only bump it up 1 degree at a time, and take it for a drive.

 

YMMV on some of these tips. I'd do a search here to get a feel for what the drawbacks may be for each (they all have some). Exhaust is tricky. Facts & opinions are all over the map. I'm a little sketchy about UDP's but that's just me. I've read a 1 or 2 install horror stories.

For me, the most profound improvement was an MAF conversion but again YMMV. The main drawback may be the cost depending on whether you use the Ford kit(@$600) as opposed to rounding the parts up yourself.

 

The only real drawback to UDP's in my case was charging at idle. Beyond that I had no issues.

As far as advancing the timing I advance until I hear detonation then back it off.