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how can i get more HP out of my carb'd 302?? its a 91 block with an 84 302 intake..
Well I'm not exactly comparing apples to apples here b/c you have different heads and stuff than me. But I have a 75 302 with stock heads, bored 30 over, Ford aluminum intake, Edelbrock Performer 600 cfm carb, and a towing cam. It will flat out get it.
A pair of heads off of a Foxbody Mustang may help you out. I don't know much about switching stuff out with newer things. Somebody on here will set you in the right direction.
The four-cycle combustion engine is a glorified air pump. The more air and commensurate amount of fuel that can be efficiently processed will yield more power.
IMO, the typical Stage 1 recipe is 4bbl carb, dual or single plane intake, headers/free-flowing xhaust
Stage 1.5 adds a camshaft.
Stage 2 is better heads with improved valve train and geometry
Stage 2.5 is balancing, forged pistons, and a power adder - NOS or forced induction (turbo, supercharger, blower)
Stage 3 is a stroker engine.. . that 302 can be stroked to a 331 or 347.
pick up a set of iron gt40's or gt40p's. cheap and easy 30 horse bolt on. only thing with the p heads is the plug is angled different and you may have to run a set of long tubes,i don't think they make a p specific header for a truck. the reg gt40's use reg manifolds/headers. if it's a roller block a stock explorer cam will give you some good low end.
would i gain horsepower if i put the original fuel injectin back on it. and plumbed everything for it on my truck?
Typically yes, FI is worth a bit more HP.... FI systems with all their sensors and the computer are programmed for combustion efficiency. Some ECUs can be reprogrammed with a handheld device from SuperCips, Bully Dog, etc.. Plus, you'll likely gain a few mpg because the engine is only getting what it needs and no more unlike carbs where we can goose the throttle and have the secondaries open up (or on a double pumper that's 24/7).
Btw, you might want to check CarCraft's website. They did a budget rebuild of a junkyard 302 and made 279 HP on the dyno. That's decent for a nearly a stock rebuild. IMO, a bit cash for parts (like heads) and 1 HP per cubic inch is attainable. Now, you gotta realize that with our Dents we have to deal with more weight: Lb/HP... it's a useable yardstick to compare apples to apples (exclusive of other variables like transmission/rear gear ratio/tire diameter).