PLEASE HELP WITH MODS FOR 302
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Junior User
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: newberg us
PLEASE HELP WITH MODS FOR 302
I just recently purchased an 86 f-150 4wd with 302 and Automatic Overdrive. I want to know what kind of perfomance mods I can do to the 302 for cheap and without tearing apart the engine and if a shift kit would really be worth putting in. My transmission is the AOD. If so what are the hazards and the difficulty in installing them? Also, do K & N filters really work and would it be worth it to get the whole filtercharger system. I also considered removing the Catalytic converters. They are not required by DEQ where I live so I don't have to take it through deq even. Would it effect engine running negatively in any way. There are two cats so that means high restricion. Well, thanks for your time. I know it's long but the littlest bit would help. THANKS
Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2001
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PLEASE HELP WITH MODS FOR 302
I have heard it said that a typical catalytic converter is less restrictive than a bend in the tail pipe. So you probably don't need to worry about taking out those cats, unless you are planing to install a custom dual exhaust system.
As for performance mods which do not involve removing the engine from the vehicle. My opinion would be intake, cam and exhaust mods. Intake being intake manifold, carb and air cleaner. Exhaust being headers, tail pipes and mufflers.
Which components you chose depends on what you want out of your engine. Drag racing power? Towing and hill climbing torque? Good gas mileage? Do you want to use the stock AOD transmission?
If I were you I would go with a Weiand stealth dual plane intake manifold, a Q-Jet carb, a cam with about .450" lift and 215 deg duration at .050", headers with 1 5/8" primaries and a 3" collector, a 2 1/2" dual exhaust with a cross over and mufflers to suit your desired level of loudness.
If you don't want to tear the front of the engine apart you could use all of this stuff with the stock cam as well. But the intake and exhaust mods would not make nearly as big a difference without a bigger cam.
A high performance ignition such as an MSD 6AL would also give a small performance increase.
The important thing with air cleaners is that there is enough filter material area, and that there is an ample supply of air to the filter element. A stock type air cleaner has a restrictive air horn which quiets down the intake noise of the engine, this also limits the amount of air available to the engine. You can just put a 4" tall element in a stock type air cleaner so that the air horn is bypassed.
I hope some of my ramblings are of use to you.
As for performance mods which do not involve removing the engine from the vehicle. My opinion would be intake, cam and exhaust mods. Intake being intake manifold, carb and air cleaner. Exhaust being headers, tail pipes and mufflers.
Which components you chose depends on what you want out of your engine. Drag racing power? Towing and hill climbing torque? Good gas mileage? Do you want to use the stock AOD transmission?
If I were you I would go with a Weiand stealth dual plane intake manifold, a Q-Jet carb, a cam with about .450" lift and 215 deg duration at .050", headers with 1 5/8" primaries and a 3" collector, a 2 1/2" dual exhaust with a cross over and mufflers to suit your desired level of loudness.
If you don't want to tear the front of the engine apart you could use all of this stuff with the stock cam as well. But the intake and exhaust mods would not make nearly as big a difference without a bigger cam.
A high performance ignition such as an MSD 6AL would also give a small performance increase.
The important thing with air cleaners is that there is enough filter material area, and that there is an ample supply of air to the filter element. A stock type air cleaner has a restrictive air horn which quiets down the intake noise of the engine, this also limits the amount of air available to the engine. You can just put a 4" tall element in a stock type air cleaner so that the air horn is bypassed.
I hope some of my ramblings are of use to you.
