should i go 347 stroker or slightly beefed up 302?

so here is my question.

i have a 302 already that i pulled from my 70 f100. it has a slightly bigger than stock cam, edlebrock dual plane intake and will have a 4 barrel. also will run dual exhaust 2 1/2" straight with long tube headers. this is pretty much how i ran this engine in my truck for about 10 yrs. it only has 80k on it and just needs a repaint. the sound is very nice and has good power. drove it daily with no problems

is a 347 build up worth it? id would like to do it as cost effective as possible but it will not be a daily driver. at most ill drive it 5 times a month or less. i want it to run easy on pumped gas.

thoughts??

 

Not worth the extra expense unless you seek a lot more horsepower and even that can be gained with the 302 you have for cheaper than a 347 build. I love my 347 but it was a one of those things that I had always wanted and had the money to do it but it was not done in a cost effective fashion

 

Google "302 vs 347 Mustang 360" for a head to head test. In the article the 347 is worth an extra 47 HP at 6000 rpm if using a hot cam and heads. If you're not revving up in that range it's a lot less. Also, you probably should invest in aluminum heads prior to spending money on the stroker crank. That's just my two bits from this armchair racer.

On the other hand, life is short and "there ain't no replacement for displacement"!

MD

 

If you thought that little motor ran decent enough in your truck?.. it'll be a blast to drive in a car that weighs over 1,000 lbs less than the truck did.

 

I think the shorter stroke may rev quicker in a light car if your heads will allow it. More power strokes/minute vs bigger power strokes......I knew a guy who drag raced chevys and he choose to turn his 350 into a 327 (331) and his car had a single 4 barrel; ran high 9s in the 1/4 in a race prepped Vega.

 

I agree that aluminum heads are the way to go, easy to bolt on with the engine out, just have to spend the money. I think with your current setup and aluminum heads, you'll be very satisfied with the get-up and go, assuming the rest of the drivetrain can handle the power

 

Thanks for all the advice so far. I guess i might just get better heads than what the stock ones are since it wont be that much more power for the money. I mainly wanted a more aggressive sound but with the cam it has now it sound pretty good so i may just go with better heads and a four barrel holley. Ive only had the stock two barrel up to now.

So yes im thinking better heads...four barrel...and ill be where i want.

 

If it aint broke....dont fix it....my 2 cents. I have a stock 5.0 EFI 90 mustang roller motor in mine, and at 225 hp, it is kinda scarry in this little maverick, I personally wouldnt want any more horses.

 

Wow! Im thinking mine has about 250-275. It was very strong in my old truck and it was geared crappy.

Thats whats making me so squirmy. Lol. If it felt good in a crap geared truck...then i cannot imagine it in a lighter maverick with good gears and the gear vendors overdrive unit. The old truck weighed 3850 and i think the mav is 2800.

But once i get the better heads and four barrel....that sounds like a ride. Also still going straight duals 2 1/2" with headers. No mufflers or cats. So ill be going from 105hp with the 200cid to what?? About 300-350?

 

With a 2bbl carb and factory heads, anything past 200Hp is likely dreamland...

 

Yeah maybe. I was thinking the slightly bigger cam and open pipes might make a difference with the dual plane intake. Thats what it has now. All i know is...i cant wait to get it like i want. Just to feel it in a lighter car is going to be neat for me. Lol

 

You might just spend your dollars getting it into the car. With the headers, if you have power steering, there will be a drop bracket needed for the PS ram. If you have a column shift, that will need something done to it for header fitment. I'm sure you will run into other issues as well. Is your water pump inlet on the driver side? My car was a unfinished v-8 swap when I got it, and it has needed many parts that were not there.....so dont underestimate the job of getting that motor in. It is all very doable, just may require stuff and stuff=cash.

 

ok so after a lot of reading and chart comparisons and youtube vids, im going to just stick with a 302 with better flowing heads, use my dual plane edlebrock intake and throw on a 4 barrel with headers and straight duals. im not going to race or hot rod this much so the extra torque wont really matter. i doubt ill ever have it over 3000rpms

thanks all!

 

I will bet you get it over 3,000 thats about when they start to purr. I think you have a good plan

 

I would have to go with 347 torque is is a lot better than my 306 was . I am using same heads another cam. car pick up a sec. in the 1/4.