4.9 performance
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,603
Likes: 10
From: Spokane, WA
Save yourself some change and use the EFI exhaust manifolds. They can be single or dual-out your choice. And the back pressure thing is a hideous myth. Back pressure is not desired. Scavenging/velocity is desired. A 2 1/2" single out or 2"-2 1/4" duals will work just fine.
Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 7,165
Likes: 375
From: Near Los Angeles
Go duals with an X pipe and a set of high flow turbo muffs, and it will sound great.
Another member ran straights and said it sounded like a John Deere. Of course all the 'low riders' like the straights so they can rap off.
Another member ran straights and said it sounded like a John Deere. Of course all the 'low riders' like the straights so they can rap off.
Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 7,165
Likes: 375
From: Near Los Angeles
Think about what Harte3 said regarding the head porting.
If you go with the Hedman header, replace your starter with a new one first, or one of the expensive mini's. Once you put that header on, the starter is sealed in a crypt. I believe with the EFI's and oe intake, you will have to fashion something for your heat riser to base of carb. If you use the Offy intke, most guys make a coolant exchange plate for the bottom.
If you go with the Hedman header, replace your starter with a new one first, or one of the expensive mini's. Once you put that header on, the starter is sealed in a crypt. I believe with the EFI's and oe intake, you will have to fashion something for your heat riser to base of carb. If you use the Offy intke, most guys make a coolant exchange plate for the bottom.
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 742
Likes: 2
From: Eastern Iowa
I am running the Offy DP, it still has good low end grunt, it will lug down to around 200 RPM and pull out of it. I am running the Holley 4160 450 cfm, but a buddy of mine ran the 500 Edelbrock and had good results. I have run a 600 Holley on mine before, it seemed to like to pull more RPMs with the bigger carb. Mine was rated at 300 HP and 300 lbs*ft when it was freshly rebuilt.
I have been running the heddman hedders on mine since '98, and it is a daily driver. They have held up great, no problems or leaks. The stock exhaust manifold on these is almost as pathetic as the stock exhaust manifolds on the old FE big blocks....efficiency was not a factor....
As far as comparing the 300 to the 302.
....If your used to driving a car or a light duty pickup that rarely tows anything....go with the 302....If you want decent torque and tow some and want good mileage and longevity and torque, did I mention torque....go with the 300. The 302 has little bottom end grunt compared to the 300. The 300 has grunt more like a big block, but gets twice the mileage.
We could argue this till the Lord comes back, but really it comes down to personal preference, what you are used to, and how you drive.
I have been running the heddman hedders on mine since '98, and it is a daily driver. They have held up great, no problems or leaks. The stock exhaust manifold on these is almost as pathetic as the stock exhaust manifolds on the old FE big blocks....efficiency was not a factor....
As far as comparing the 300 to the 302.
....If your used to driving a car or a light duty pickup that rarely tows anything....go with the 302....If you want decent torque and tow some and want good mileage and longevity and torque, did I mention torque....go with the 300. The 302 has little bottom end grunt compared to the 300. The 300 has grunt more like a big block, but gets twice the mileage. We could argue this till the Lord comes back, but really it comes down to personal preference, what you are used to, and how you drive.
Now if we're talking about longevity and overall toughness, the 300 wins, hands down. They will last forever, and take whatever you can give them! But they really aren't a particularly powerful or torquey engine. They have enough tourque to get the job done, but a 302 will typically do it better. Just not for 30 years, like a 300 will!
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,603
Likes: 10
From: Spokane, WA
The "torque" thing, as is usually discussed here and other forums, is mostly an overblown and emotionally hyped concept that has achieved a mythological standing along with the "needs back pressure" mythology.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 788
Likes: 0
From: Cascade, ID
stock? stock sucks.....
I guess I missed the "stock" part. I spent alot of time (2 yrs) researching my build before I spent a dime on it. I wanted it to run and last and get decent mileage. It paid off.
The 302 doesn't have enough oomph down low for what I use my truck for, I don't think they have comparable torque.......comparing apples to raisins..... The 302 also doesn't get as good of mileage. Like I said, the 302 is more of a car type engine, it likes to spin RPMs, not really a work horse. I know, we're men and we are all stubborn....."mine is better"...so at this juncture I will say......I prefer my 300.....
good chat though, fellow Ford brothers.
The 302 doesn't have enough oomph down low for what I use my truck for, I don't think they have comparable torque.......comparing apples to raisins..... The 302 also doesn't get as good of mileage. Like I said, the 302 is more of a car type engine, it likes to spin RPMs, not really a work horse. I know, we're men and we are all stubborn....."mine is better"...so at this juncture I will say......I prefer my 300.....
good chat though, fellow Ford brothers.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 7,021
Likes: 4
From: Almost Heaven
You know Harte, the 300 does make good torque though. Before I ever messed with my exhaust I remember being able to tap the gas pedal and throw my passengers back. I lost low end grunt when I removed the muffler.
I do agree with you. The 300 isn't some mythical beast. It's a solid, hard working six that is much loved.
I do agree with you. The 300 isn't some mythical beast. It's a solid, hard working six that is much loved.
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,603
Likes: 10
From: Spokane, WA
Yes, for it's size it makes good, usable torque at a decent working rpm...no question about that.
The back pressure myth was debunked way back in the last century by David Vizard and other automotive gurus of that time.
The back pressure myth was debunked way back in the last century by David Vizard and other automotive gurus of that time.
Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 7,165
Likes: 375
From: Near Los Angeles
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,885
Likes: 12
From: Lawrence Swamp
offe intake, edelbrock 500 cfm carb, and headers would make?
Glad U want a "hauler n tower" That's what this rig is made for. Have U been driving the vehicle? much? Just purchased?
SOME (many) report poor sealing w/headers. The stock EFI exh, manafolds are well rated. The rare HD 1s (when the 300 wuz in bigger dump trucks) even better. DO Not impluse buy headers. Research here if desired. Not back pressure, but scavenging is needed w/ mufflers. Choice depends on $ & sound mostly, it seems.
U don't need a whole chunk/pumkin/diff just ring/pinion but again take your time and be assured they are correct for your application (ie how long have U had the truck, how is it now, what will it be used for the most).
T18 is great (esp w/4 wd n that crawler/granny 1st). I think it is around 5.5:1 (help me out guys?). Many drive w/o using 1st except when stuck or starting off w/a heavy load. A T 19 has that gear synchronized.
@ some point, well down the road, the mild port n polish could also benifit.
Glad U want a "hauler n tower" That's what this rig is made for. Have U been driving the vehicle? much? Just purchased?
SOME (many) report poor sealing w/headers. The stock EFI exh, manafolds are well rated. The rare HD 1s (when the 300 wuz in bigger dump trucks) even better. DO Not impluse buy headers. Research here if desired. Not back pressure, but scavenging is needed w/ mufflers. Choice depends on $ & sound mostly, it seems.
U don't need a whole chunk/pumkin/diff just ring/pinion but again take your time and be assured they are correct for your application (ie how long have U had the truck, how is it now, what will it be used for the most).
T18 is great (esp w/4 wd n that crawler/granny 1st). I think it is around 5.5:1 (help me out guys?). Many drive w/o using 1st except when stuck or starting off w/a heavy load. A T 19 has that gear synchronized.
@ some point, well down the road, the mild port n polish could also benifit.