hey guys, I got a few questions,
I'm rebuilding a 302, into a High Performance machine for fun and for street not strip, it will proably never been on a track, but I still want it to have a heck of a lot of power, I had the goal of 400 HP but my dad shot that down, so what would be a respectable HP and TQ figures for a 302? I'm going to put on a set of 289HP heads (ps. what are the ratings on those heads?) Whats good for cam's? My dad says its not a roller cam, would it be good to swap in a roller cam? Pistons and Rods what are good brands? What are some prices on those? And guys I plan to only keep the crankshaft from this engine, so it will be entirely new hopefully. So any inputs welcome, thanks guys,
Nick
"Speed equals money how fast do you want to go?"
Horsepower tv guy the fat one.

 

Check this set of articles.
[http://www.fordmuscle.com/archives/1999/10/400horse/index.shtml]

I know you said you did not want 400 HP, but I think this will give you some very good ideas.

Roger Lane
Test Analyst
Sr. Automated Test Engineer
IBP, Inc.

 

I have a 302 in the truck I'm driving, I've had another that went bad and is tore down. I also have a 390 that needs shortblock rebuild after building up the top end. You know for the effort to make your 302 fast and strong in a truck, you could be building a bigger more truck oriented motor. I have both a 302 and a 390 that need rebuilding. Aside from some minor additional expense in the components for the 390 most of which I've already made in the top end of the motor, the shortblock rebuild isn't much more than the 302, but I'll have a hell of a better truck performer. 302's are a shortstroke motor that makes it most power in higher RPM's. I feel like they are at home in light vehicles. My 302 doesn't have the cylinder pressure tightness to even get to high RPM's. My sick 390 w/ a broken ring and piston still felt like it had alot more lower RPM torque than the 302's before I tore it down. Consider building a 351W instead of 302 if you don't want to deal w/ swapping transmissions or perhaps a 351C. 390's 400's , 429/460's all have alot of truck fans. A 302 will power a truck no doubt, but if you want HP and quickness in a truck, I think a longer stroke engine is easier. Consider that the 90's trucks w/ 302's have all the benefits of roller cams and fuel injection. The newer tritons, are longer stroke engines even if the 4.6 is less displacement, the stroke is longer. Converting to rollers and FI expensive, and money that could be spent building a monster 351 or 460 or whatever bigger inch motor. Save the 302 for a car project like a Mustang, Mustang II, Maverick ect. Personally I wouldn't mind finding an Early 80's Capri RS to drop 302 into, or a Ranger truck would also be real cool. I'd be suspicious that without Fuel injection, that a 4.0 Ranger might still be faster. Ok that's my 2cents

BBT

 

If you want a little more power why not try 351 heads? I thnk the 289 heads would be a little restrictive if you're wanting to get more power out of a 302. It would be choking it down a little bit wouldn't it?

1988 F-150, SWB, 5.0 EFI (formerly 4.9 EFI), M5OD 5 speed, 3.08 gears, Summit shorty truck headers, Custom built Flowmaster exhaust system. Force 4 LP6000 lightbar, Federal signal PA-300 100 watt siren, Icom IC-V100 50 watt mobile radio.
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1965 F-100 (just purchased 1/18/01), SWB, 390, C-6 auto. Dual exhaust, Not much else to do to it.

Can see both below.

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