Would a 351 stroker have any road manners?

[Randall Garner]

Roughly 1 year from now, I will be swapping the engine in my 94 GT. It's old 302 is worn out, and it's just time for it to go. I want to replace it with something much greater, but I don't really want to lose much in the way of road manners. Would a 351 stroked to a 393 or a 427 have any kind of road manners? Or would that go out the window?

Given the price of building up a 351, it's looking like a Coyote might be a better idea. You get the road manners, and a giant upgrade over the old 302. And since you'd want to build up the 351, the price isn't too much more. There's some youtube videos where they're discussing 351's and most of the comments seem to estimate the price at around $18k. A coyote is around $20k swapped. So I'd like to hear you guys' thoughts on this. Thank you

You can build I nice torque motor with great street manners. Using a as cast aluminum head . In the 170-180cc range. And a cam on the 220-230@ 050 range. Even a stock 351 is gaining 49" over the 302. Look at engine masters. They did a 410" using various cams and head combos. You should be able to find a good core. Look for either 95-96 truck roller block. Or a 69-74 block. The later blocks were known to be thin. Find a builder that will work with a budget. You feel okay with. I have a 393W stroker. Around 500 hp. But some pretty spendy internal parts and heads and I have less than 7k into the whole thing , including all the machine work. Squaring up block. Bore. Line hone. Block fill. Balancing and all parts. I supplied only the block.

 

[Musturd]

I’m confused why you’re stuck on 85mph at 1800rpm . That will make final drive useless at regular highway speeds .

 

[Snorky]

I’m confused why you’re stuck on 85mph at 1800rpm . That will make final drive useless at regular highway speeds .

That thing will be a turd trying to lean on it in 6th to pass someone. Coyotes are a bit of a dog at low rpms

 

[Musturd]

That thing will be a turd trying to lean on it in 6th to pass someone. Coyotes are a bit of a dog at low rpms

Absolutely .

 

[RAU03MACH]

I always try to talk guys out of stroking engines
unless you know what your doing
many problems ups and many downs

 

[Snorky]

I always try to talk guys out of stroking engines
unless you know what your doing
many problems ups and many downs

Pros.. mo powaaaaas.. cons.. here is a potential list

 

[Snorky]

Absolutely .

The EXACT opposite of a 351 stroked to a 408.

 

[Randall Garner]

What's wrong with the MT-82? No way to build it up a bit tougher? Or just too expensive

They are a fair quality transmission, the bearing and synchro are piss poor. A good sks bearing set and better sychros. You cannot hammer them like an old super T10

 

[Musturd]

Another thing I’ve seen is the stock clutch lines are garbage which can cause lock out .

 

[lwarrior1016]

Another thing I’ve seen is the stock clutch lines are garbage which can cause lock out .

That, and shimming the slave cylinder correctly.

 

[Musturd]

That, and shimming the slave cylinder correctly.

Yea I was watching a guy on YouTube he races his 13or14 coyote mt82 no prep and it makes like 800 and he’s been doing awesome with the stock trans for years of abuse but at first it was giving him hell . He runs a mgw shifter , exedey mach 600 clutch and I forget the why wheel combo .

 

[bennylava]

I always try to talk guys out of stroking engines
unless you know what your doing
many problems ups and many downs

Are there long term reliability issues? Or is it just getting them to act right in the first place?

I want a 150k engine. My 302 made it 178k before it's finally time for replacement. I'd like the next engine to at least make it to 150k, and yeah that's beating on it every once in awhile. Just like with the 302.

 

[Musturd]

Are there long term reliability issues? Or is it just getting them to act right in the first place?

I want a 150k engine. My 302 made it 178k before it's finally time for replacement. I'd like the next engine to at least make it to 150k, and yeah that's beating on it every once in awhile. Just like with the 302.

A stroker is fine you just need to piece the parts together properly . 302 parts make 302 power . So putting small heads and intake on a stroker engine you don’t get the gains you’re hoping for . The only strokers I vote against are 4.6 based strokers . Small block ford strokers are great . If using a stock block 302 i would do a 331 stroker . If going 351w based you honestly don’t even need to stroke it . Just don’t choke it out with small heads designed for a 302 like trickflow 170’s or afr 165’s or gt40’s

 

[RAU03MACH]

Thing about strokers and I have had terrible luck
Lot of overheating
Timing jumps
Sucks fuel terrible
Driving around town idle is never spot on

To me they belong on a track
But everyone has different opinions

 

[RAU03MACH]

If you are going to the drags evry weekend
Than ya I say stroker 460 666 bb
Now your talking horsepower