I have a 95 2wd f150 that we pulled a 300 out of for another truck. I am toying with my next project being a street truck as I have this thing sitting out back. For now I am trying to decide which engine to use. I plan on driving it daily so I am leaning towards a HO 302 my friend has, but my other option is a carb 351w, what do you think?

 

What tranny does the truck have and are you intending to use it? If it's an auto it's a computer controlled E4OD more than likely, so that makes installing a carb'd motor a giant hastle... just so you know.

 

Yeah I was planning on putting a t-5 behind it but I didn't know what the complications with the trans cross member would be.

 

The T5 is not known as a super strong tranny, and that's in a 302 powered car that is relatively light compared to a truck. It will work with either motor, but it's life will be considerably shorter in the truck, and even more so if you use a 5.8. Same goes for the M5OD that was commonly found in the 302 trucks, it'll work but won't handle a lot of abuse. These trannys can be upgraded, but limiting missed shifts and high rpm clutch dumps will go a long way to extending life, firm engine and tranny mounts help a lot in this regard. I personally can't stand driving a vehicle where the shift lever wags side to side when you're on and off the gas, how are you supposed to hit the shift gates if they're constantly moving. A ZF 5-speed from the heavier trucks is the right solution for durability, this also means you just have to get the crossmember or mount for this tranny and bolt it in.

I like the 5.8 motor over the 5.0 in a heavier vehicle, it produces lots more low rpm TQ so it's more fun on the street. That's not to say the 5.0 is no good, but it will require more gearing than the bigger motor to deliver similar performance.

 

The Idea is a truck that will be fun to play with, my friend has a fox stang and my brother just bought a c4, I am looking for something that will be as much fun to drive. I like the idea of the zf I hadn't thought of that. I plan on spending around 7000 on the project. For the motor I will rebuild either, but for the 302 I am considering a turbo set up. I talked to a guy who built his own set up for a fox body using a holley victor jr intake with shorty headers flipped and a powerstroke intercooler and turbo. I think this would be a fun project for the summer. Any input on that idea. Note: I don't plan on it being emissions compliant.

 

302 won't work very well with a ZF because of the wide gear ratios and lack of torque in the 302.

If you're going to do this than do a 351 with a ZF or good auto.

 

While this is certainly true & I agree, there is a company that has been building T-5s that will support much higher #s than traditionally they've been capable of. They make 2, one with more aggresive helical & larger gears (450 hp?) as well as one with straight cut gears that takes more. The smaller is not much more than a "new" T-5, I think between $1500 -1700. Pick up a Mustang mag (Or go through ones you have ) or do a google search.

Just throwing out ideas.

 

Conanski,
what type of upgrade is availble for the M5R2/M5OD 5spd. Mazda trans. that is behind the 5.0L engine?

I would like to know!
Thanks,
TONY Z.
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