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Its cam is different... that is the most significant difference. The truck engines were set up to develop more power lower in the rpm band. This is the reason for the extremely long intake runners in the truck engines as well. Otherwise the engines are quite similar but arbitrary swapping of "car" engine parts for "truck" engine parts or vice-versa should be limited to accessories and the like. Performance equipment for a 302 in a car may or may not be of any benefit in a truck with the same displacement in the engine bay.
Both motors are very similar using the same block, heads, crank and connecting rods. The HO will have 9:1 Hypereutectic pistons, a HO specific roller cam, and a HO specific intake system with sequectial mass air EFI controlling it. The truck motor has 9:1 cast pistons with a rather small roller cam, truck specific intake, and speed density EFI controlling it. The HO combo is a far better matched setup and makes more power everywhere, but if you were to swap one into a truck it would be tamed quite a bit because of the extra weight it has to push around. In another words it wouldn't be anywhere near as impressive as it is in the lightweight car.
i was just curious because the motor in the bronco just seems like it has no power and struggles on hills real bad so were thinkin of rebuilding it soon and i was just wonderin what itd take to match the mustang 5.0. thanks for the info though
A 302 really isn't enough motor for a heavy truck, to match what it does in a mustang you have to start with a 351 and then add some performance parts.
Short of doing that however a cam change and exhaust upgrade will make a world of difference in the power your truck 302 makes, and if you also provide some additional gearing the vehicle performance will be greatly improved. Minimum gearing requirements for a 302 truck is 3.73 with stock sized tires and more if they are any larger than 31's.
i got a 302 in a 91 bronco and mine has never struggled with hills and my gears are 3:55s. i got a mustang 302 im rebuilding right now and its totally different a little difference in HP and Torque but thats mainly due to the pistons and cam. but im using a low end towing cam. if you decide to rebuild you 302 and what some good torque stroker kit is the way to go, that and a good towing cam.
i failed to mention im running 33's with 3:55's and never struggled up hills or lacking power even when towing, well that is till my oil pump jacked up and i blew my engine ha ha