View Poll Results: 302 EFI, 302 carb, 351W carb, or 351W EFI

302 EFI

9.52%

302 Carburated

23.81%

351W EFI

19.05%

351W Carburated

42.86%

build the 300

9.52%

Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 21. You may not vote on this poll

low buck 302 build

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Apr 18, 2009 | 09:17 PM

hittman1422

Thread Starter

Elder User

Joined: Jan 2009

Posts: 712

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From: Blue Eye, mo. hwy 86 & JJ

low buck 302 build

well guys i'm thinking about a low dollar 302 build, either that or a 351W.... i want as much torque as i can get and horsepower would be great but i'm gonna have to do it cheap so i'm not expecting much.... i can find good edelbrock intakes for pretty cheap around here so i'd love to get a 4barrel carb to throw on top of it... but EFI is an option... i dont want to deal with the computer so i really dont want EFI, but i'm keepin an open mind! its gonna be a daily driver and need to pull plenty on occasion because in the summer i haul alot of scrap and firnature... always in trailers... last summer the little 300 did just great hauling so i dont need an insane ammount. would like alot of power at lower RPMs but it is a 302 so...
want plenty of low RPM power and decent mileage on a budget is the summary
any tips are welcome and i'll try to keep an open mind
FYI: at the moment its a 85 stepside with a 300 I6 and the T-18 4speed with granny low soon to be replaced with either a mazada 5 or a ZF... it is 2wd and is gonna stay that way (sorry pintoches the lady said no 4wd) gonna get litimited slip gears put in the diff in a few weeks or so... if you need anymore info just ask

Apr 18, 2009 | 10:03 PM

70torino429

Posting Guru

Joined: Dec 2008

Posts: 1,074

Likes: 1

From: Mass.

id say go with the 351efi but carb is another option just my personal preference is efi. you can find a cheap one pretty easy and the engine is already setup for lowend torque unlike the 302. you can do a basically stock rebuild with a better cam, some 1.7 roller rockers, then just add longtube headers and a full exhaust and be near 300hp and 400tq. of course thats with efi. if you go carb you might want a slightly different recipe. some 3.73 or 4.10 gears in the back will make it accelerate alot faster too.

Apr 19, 2009 | 11:17 AM

Conanski

FTE Legend

Joined: Jun 2006

Posts: 31,930

Likes: 1,499

From: Ottawa, Ontario

Even a carbed 351 will stomp all over a 302 in the TQ department, there is no replacement for displacement. An EFI 351 will produce the most TQ below 2000rpm so if you go that route get a complete motor or better yet a donor truck to pull everything from. With an OD tranny and 3.55-3.73 gears a 351 can approach 20mpg hwy/14mpg city and it'll haul better than a 302 ever could. A 302 will require more gearing to be comparable at towing and that will kill any fuel milage advantage it might have.

Apr 20, 2009 | 08:01 AM

Jermafenser

Postmaster

Joined: Jul 2001

Posts: 4,956

Likes: 10

From: MD

Conanski has it right.

I once achieved 21 MPG in my 351W powering a '97 F350 4x4. Surprisingly high for such a big and heavy truck!

The 351W has plenty of aftermarket support, so go-fast parts are reasonably priced.

I'd get a 351W with a factory roller cam. I believe they were available in 1994 and later trucks.

Besides, it's my belief that 302s should have never made its way into trucks.