quick 302 mods
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 630
Likes: 1
Originally Posted by tgil
any recommendations on exhaust brand. i just want a little more on the bottom end
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,978
Likes: 0
From: Central PA
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.
Try to open up air intake aside from that you have to go in cams or put lower gears in it.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 590
Likes: 1
From: Venetia, PA
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.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 17,791
Likes: 98
From: Ashland City, TN
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.
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.
Trending Topics
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,978
Likes: 0
From: Central PA
Originally Posted by mrl390
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.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!
Michael S. Palmer
The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)
Joe Kucinski
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,263
Likes: 1
From: The dark carnival
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.
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.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 31,930
Likes: 1,499
From: Ottawa, Ontario
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.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 341
Likes: 0
From: Newark
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.
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.
Last edited by 12secondstang; Mar 25, 2007 at 10:46 PM.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 291
Likes: 0
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.
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.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
