4.9 performance
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 788
Likes: 0
From: Cascade, ID
Yeehaw!
the intake and headers makes a ton of difference, the ol girl will breath way easier. Just the header lets it run noticeably better.
Throw a cam into the mix and you will be amazed at the improvement.....you will be addicted to six power like never before.
Throw a cam into the mix and you will be amazed at the improvement.....you will be addicted to six power like never before.
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 742
Likes: 2
From: Eastern Iowa
There will be a noticeable gain with the intake and exhaust headers.....but still nothing like a bone-stock 302. We're talking about taking something from 110 hp up to 130 or 140. After putting Offy stuff on my old 1986 300, and a header and everything, I found the EFI 300 in my 94 ran way harder stock. Probably cheaper to put a 302 in there than to try to make the 300 something it isn't.........
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 647
Likes: 3
From: Brumley, MO
I have a 300 with a 4bbl intake and carb and it feels twice as powerful as it did with the 1bbl carb. I mean literally it feels like I have gained double the power that I had before, but my engine has many miles on it, and is not in the best running order(bad exhaust leak, possible weak cylinder, and I need another carb).
If I were you I would spend the money on the 300 because it makes a huge difference in power, and the stock 300 is already better at pulling loads than a stock 302.
I don't think you will be dissapointed with the results as long as you have reasonable expectations, and know that it's still not going to be a drag racer or anything.
If I were you I would spend the money on the 300 because it makes a huge difference in power, and the stock 300 is already better at pulling loads than a stock 302.
I don't think you will be dissapointed with the results as long as you have reasonable expectations, and know that it's still not going to be a drag racer or anything.
Thread Starter
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New User
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
thanks everyone, what intake and carb would you reccomend for it? also are the hedmen headers any good?
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 788
Likes: 0
From: Cascade, ID
302......300
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.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 7,021
Likes: 4
From: Almost Heaven
If nothing else, a 4.10 gear would allow you to pull a load much easier.
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New User
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
i really like the idea of 4.10 gears! how would it effect the the engine though doing speeds around 55 - 60? i dont want to rev the hell out the of the engine just to keep up with traffic! my truck has the t18 transmission, how do you think it would work? And im definatley not interested in going fast! im deffinatley not use to driving a fancy little sports car, and the more torque the better
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 199
Likes: 0
From: Colorado Springs, CO
I have the same tranny as you, and stock with 4.10s I'm around 2800 at 60, 3k at 65. I don't like traveling on the highway, the engine just screams, and the gas just disappears. Of course good door seals and shift boots would help the noise. And my new job with no driving will help the monthly gas bill.
Btw, that's with 31s.
Btw, that's with 31s.
Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 7,165
Likes: 375
From: Near Los Angeles
I have a '75 F-350, that came with 3.74 rear. Now I have 3.31 rear. I changed the engine from a oe 390 to a hp 300. I recently loaded it with about a ton of cement and tile and hauled it to the dump with 3 guys in the truck. I could not tell the difference between the 300 and the 390 while hauling...just good steady power.
And I get 50% better mileage to boot.
And I get 50% better mileage to boot.
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New User
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
with the hedman header, would it be alright to run straight pipes or do you need some sort of muffler on there to creat some backpressure? if i ran straight pipes it would have quite a few bends in it, if that helps any?