302 build stroked or boost

Mika · Jul 22, 2010

Our 94 Gt project needs a powerplant and I'm looking for opinions and experiences from old and young. First of all let me say I'm mostly thinking bottom end and cam. I'll be running stock top end and as the budget allows start improvement there and eventually force air if we don't go stroker. I am trying to decide should I spend less and build a solid 302 or should I spend more now and go say 347. A few factors I need in the equation are;
1. Neither me or my son have any track time or hot rodding experience. Well I have just a little.
2. It will probably be a few years before he drives the car but If I go boost will I have more tuning options to slow him down a bit?
3. I (the old guy) think it's cooler to get power gains through displacement, however the younger generation seem to think the boost is cool.
4. I should also say the suspension is stock and will be improved as needed to put the power down.
5. Aode I think is what it's called auto/overdrive from a explorer.
Anyway, lets hear what ya'll think.

Thanks
Mika

Snowed · Jul 22, 2010

Im a younger guy, o say go big or go home

ivan12 · Jul 23, 2010

347, then a big set of heads, cam and intake (H/C/I). No matter your bottom end the stock heads will kill you. If 400hp N/A doesn't do the job then slap on a vortech.

ProKiller · Jul 23, 2010

both?

is there something going on now with the bottom end that you need to spend the money on it first? You're better off buying a set of heads and intake now that will work with either blown or stroker. AFR185s for example would be a great spring board for either path. I would leave the bottom end stock for now until you decide. either way you go will have different component so why make the decision now when you don't have too.

As far as the the displacement vs. supercharger argument. It could go on for days. I started with a H/C/I and a vortech then put in a 331. the torque went from 360 to 450 at the wheels with just the bottom end and a cam change. Now since your an "old guy" displacement is your preferred method then don't fool around with a 302 based block and step up to a 351 and stroke that guy. Thats going to give you the best bang for the buck and give you GOBS of torque to keep you smiling.

Now since its you and your son building the car, i'm going to go back to my original statement. why not both? you get the downlow torque you crave but with a top end that can chase down just about anything.

95gtdrop · Jul 23, 2010

cough both cough cough

LAFENATU · Jul 23, 2010

Mika said:
Our 94 Gt project needs a powerplant and I'm looking for opinions and experiences from old and young. First of all let me say I'm mostly thinking bottom end and cam. I'll be running stock top end and as the budget allows start improvement there and eventually force air if we don't go stroker. I am trying to decide should I spend less and build a solid 302 or should I spend more now and go say 347. A few factors I need in the equation are;
1. Neither me or my son have any track time or hot rodding experience. Well I have just a little.
2. It will probably be a few years before he drives the car but If I go boost will I have more tuning options to slow him down a bit?
3. I (the old guy) think it's cooler to get power gains through displacement, however the younger generation seem to think the boost is cool.
4. I should also say the suspension is stock and will be improved as needed to put the power down.
5. Aode I think is what it's called auto/overdrive from a explorer.
Anyway, lets hear what ya'll think.

Thanks
Mika

Mika, there are a few factors you are going to want to look at first.

1.) What budget are you looking to stay within? I highly recommend if you have a goal of say $4000.00, budget for $6000.00. Nothing EVER goes 100%

2.) Tuning options to slow him down can be made with a supercharger (larger pullies = less boost etc.). When it comes to N/A there really is no way to slow him down unless you're willing to put on a set of sh1tty heads etc.

3.) If you are looking to use ANY type of aftermarket power adder ie: Supercharger, Nitrous etc. you will need to rebuild the transmission to make it stronger and will need an aftermarket converter. Power adders will destroy a stock ford converter pretty fast. A good solid trans rebuild (parts and labor) and converter is going to cost you around $2000-$2500. That's before the $3000 supercharger..

4.) Are you planning on assembling the engine or are you buying a short block?

Mika · Jul 23, 2010

Great comments guys keep the comming. I'll try to answer the questions.
1. Here's a link to our build thread; http://sn95forums.com/index.php/topic,52730.0.html
2. The car came with an empty engine compartment.
3. The plan is to use most everything from the 96 explorer; pulleys and accessories, computer and wiring harness, transmission, intake and injectors, (not the block or heads)
4. I'll be either buying a short block or I have a block I could use.
5. I think my main issue is should I spend the money for a stroker, or should I get a solid 302
6. I like a budget but would rather wait for something I would regret not getting from the beginning. However, going with a less expensive shortblock would allow for quicker step by step upgrades that my son and I would be able to do together.

You know its funny how these forums work, sometimes if you acyually take time to type your thoughts out you might answer your own questions.

Keep your thoughts comming but I think I'm leaning solid 302,
Mika

Venom351R · Jul 23, 2010

This is a common issue people have when deciding on what to do for mods, build the current engine, stroke it or boost it. Everything has its advantages and disadvantages. If you did boost it you can detune it so that you would be more comfortable w/ him driving it but then what was the point of even boosting it to begin with if your going to dumb down the power? I H/C/I set up on the 302 will net you anywhere from 280-300 at the rear wheels depending on the parts used. Thats probably more power then he realizes that it is. While the rage now is all about boost w/ the younger crowd most of them still dont realize what fast is. Hard to really beat the torque of a H/C/I 302 or a stroked 302.

Ive had a 302 w/ a supercharger and I currently have 351W and I will admit the bigger cubes are more fun.

LAFENATU · Jul 23, 2010

Mika said:
Great comments guys keep the comming. I'll try to answer the questions.
1. Here's a link to our build thread; http://sn95forums.com/index.php/topic,52730.0.html
2. The car came with an empty engine compartment.
3. The plan is to use most everything from the 96 explorer; pulleys and accessories, computer and wiring harness, transmission, intake and injectors, (not the block or heads)
4. I'll be either buying a short block or I have a block I could use.
5. I think my main issue is should I spend the money for a stroker, or should I get a solid 302
6. I like a budget but would rather wait for something I would regret not getting from the beginning. However, going with a less expensive shortblock would allow for quicker step by step upgrades that my son and I would be able to do together.

You know its funny how these forums work, sometimes if you acyually take time to type your thoughts out you might answer your own questions.

Keep your thoughts comming but I think I'm leaning solid 302,
Mika

Well as long as you're willing to pay for a transmission/converter, I would do something like a 306. You can use the stock rods, stock crank and get a nice forged piston from CHP. Buy a good set of heads/cam/intake/exhaust and put a supercharger and you'll have more than enough power to split the block in half. You said you already have a block, take it to a machinist and have them build you a solid small block. Something like a 9:1 final compression with the heads.

- 306ci
- Trick Flow Top End Kit
- Ford Racing 3.73 gears
- Shorty headers
- H or X Pipe
- Catback exhaust
- Vortech S-trim Supercharger
- Transmission Rebuild
- Torque Converter

with this setup, you can easily make 450HP...more with a smaller pulley :tongue3:

blue9550gt · Jul 23, 2010

well my opinion i think stroke first then get a fill for ur build and car then once u have that down boost and repeat test and tune at the nearest track what gear have u thoght about running