What can the 302 do?

[Burnside]

First off I'd like to say, this is one slow board, pick it up fellas. Second, I want to make my tbird fast, and as of now it has the 302, i know there are endless amounts of power upgrades for the 302, but I was wondering if even a built five liter would have enough to scoot along this boat. Should I bother with the 302 or if anyhting go big block?

[2-77s, 1-85, 2-86 TCs]

My dad had a '78 T-Bird ordered from the factory in late '77 with nothing but a special paint code and A/C. He had the 302, and it was pretty fast stock. In '86, I believe, he had the engine rebuilt (just for the hell of it) and did some top end work to it himself. If you like, I'll ask him exactly what he did to it and let you know. By the way, after he did all that, it was DAMN fast. Ask anyone who knew the car! ;)

Rick

[Burnside]

I believe i have a 2.73 rear gear as of now, I can get a 3.73 gear for free, and I was planning on putting a performance 4 barrel carb and intake on it and possibley headers, what type of results should I expect from this?

[2-77s, 1-85, 2-86 TCs]

Well, with the 3.73 gears you're going to be alot quicker off the line (of course). :D That's always good! With the 4 barrel, you're going to use alot more gas, for one, but it'll add some horsepower. I'm not sure how much it adds for the 302, but on a 289 Hi-Po (mid-60s), a 2bbl would get 275 hp, and the 4bbl got 289 hp. At least those were the book numbers. I'm not sure about actual numbers. As for the headers, they always add a little horsepower, too, which will vary upon application. If I were going to do all that, I'd go for a true dual exhaust, too. Opens up a little more of that can of Whoop-Ass! ;) LOL

Rick

[Gearworks]

Rick you really ARE a fan of the 302 arent ya? hehehehe
Ive got a Ttop 79 and i went 460. dont regret it a bit. actually now its kinda grew into a 514! Grin ;) If a 460 isnt a feasable idea for u then maybe a built 400M That engine has a bad rap, but ive built many of these engines with GREAT results. email me if you go that route, ill explain it. [email protected]

[2-77s, 1-85, 2-86 TCs]

Paul,

I love the 289s and 302s!!! :) Now, you said you've built many 400M. I have a 351M in my '77 T-Bird I want built up. How much you gonna charge me for a complete rebuild/build?! :D

Rick

[marine165]

I'd like to chime in on the whole 2bbl/4bbl fuel economy bit...
The Ford 2100 2bbl on the 351W in my 78 Cougar went south on me up at school just before finals. Because of time considerations (I had to study that week, not wrench, dammit!), I ran down to my local AutoZone and picked up an Edelbrock 600 CFM 4bbl (model 1406), and a 2 to 4 barrel adapter plate, and slapped that thang on the engine. What a difference! Great throttle response, good power, and, much to my glee, better gas milage! I was getting 16 mpg highway in my Cougar with the 2bbl, and now I get 18. IMHO, aftermarket carbs are much more efficient designs, and therefore, just so long as you don't have the throttle open far enough to crack the secondaries, they get much better gas milage. Less pumping losses, better fuel atomization, etc, etc... Good stuff all around.
Something for y'all to think about...

My $.02

Mike

[hotrod78]

I also went with a 460, these engines produce a healthy amount of torque straight from the factory... when modified and or stroked, the power they can create is amazing. Way too much for the stock suspension to get to the ground that's for sure. The 400 is also an excellent motor, lighter than the 460, it can produce alot of power, the 400 I had in my '78 ran 13.11 seconds in the quarter mile at 103 mph.
Not bad for a car built like a tank. The 460 will put me somewhere into the mid 12's
as soon as I can go to a decent track, I went to a track last weekend and had to run in 2nd and 3rd gear ( lousy track ) and went 13.26 at 102 mph, I've been using BFG drag radials but it's time for some slicks. I didn't have much luck with the original 302 or a 351M but they are both good motors.. that's just been my personal experience so far.