A friend of mine has a stock 302 and wants to know what is the best bang for the buck mods ? $1000.00 limit and no NOS:confused:
Quick Build Big Gains All Summit pricing, Holley 650 DP 325.95 Edelbrock performer RPM 154.95 Hedman Hedders 88300 119.95 Summit Cam Kit K3602 82.95 Splitfire Plugs 31.92 Crane Roller Rockers 11746-16 195.95 Fel-Pro gaskets FEL- KS2328 57.95 Total 969.62 30.38 for camlube silicone and Gas to go try out the new rocket!!
I would keep the roller rockers, as they are a starting point for later upgrades. Use a Duraspark (factory ford) ignition, they're good enough for a 500+HP boosted 302, so I figure it's good enough for a mild build. Save the money you'd spend on those splitfire plugs and get regular motorcraft plugs. I would go with an Edelbrock carb, unless you want the absolute most power, then go with a Holley. Edelbrocks are much better street carbs, anyway. The long tube 88300 headers, a good cam kit (w/lifters), intake and some planning will do wonders for a 302. Another thing to consider...depending on what gears you have, a swap makes the car a totally different machine. If you've got 2.79's now, go with 3.55's and the difference is night and day, even with a stock engine.
302 mods Just a thought on it, with the Crane roller rockers you would have to modify the heads for studs and guide plates. Not for a budget build in my opinion. The big improvment would be the Edelbrock carb, manifold, headers and decent cam as suggested. Have the duraspark checked and put in a good coil. The rear gear would be the ticket for seat of pants boost. With basically the same stuff in our first Mav, the cam we used was advanced 4deg and that alone picked up the low end neck snapper you may want. 296 advertized duration and .504 lift. All cams will not work advanced that much though. Have heard the Edelbrock performance pkg. works well too. Forget the Holley dbl. pumper for the street and no radical mods, a 600 vacum secondary would work better but the Edelbrock carb is mostly a bolt on and go deal. Torque converters are another help but for now really not the priority. Have fun and be careful with the beast.
Summit Headers Has anybody tried the cheaper Summit headers $68.35 ? Remember this is Engine mods only , not the car !
So let me check if this sounds good for a stock 302, performer rpm manifold 600 edelbrock vacuum secondary Ford B303 cam (with new lifters etc.) hooker 6901 headers 3.20 gears in the rear Hows that for a high school kid? -Todd
Good Advice Yes Old Guy you have a point , let me add to that now with the high lift camshaft it will need adjustable valvetrain . He does want to stick with a holley carb , so maybe a 750 Vac secondary ? Time to rethink this package!!
600 Vac Go with the 600 CFM vac holley. It may not sound as impressive but in my opinion it will serve you best. 750 is overkill on the build you are talking about and will result in at least less throttle response. It will save a little money also. JP
