Good afternoon!

I am about to buy a '94 F150. My dad had an 85 when i was ~13 or so, and I just fell in love with the bodystyle. I still love the way it rides, and hope I get the deal squared-away here shortly to pick it up this weekend. Happy Fathers day to ME!

Anyway, the truck is in great shap, but has 170k on the motor. It needs minimal work, but at the same time I know the 302 (I have had MANY 5.0 mustangs) lasts FOREVER, so I really have nothing to fear...yet.

I am considering either a motor build or buy a crate motor (347) from FoMoCo. I like the 450bhp motor alot, and am considering this in my truck. I have had 9 mustangs, including the Mach 1 have now, a 02 Lightning, and a 351W 95 F150, so the speed is in my blood, thus the 450hp motor.

Can I assume this is pretty much a straight-forward swap? I have several concerns, too. I want a 94-95 type Lightning Clone will this be a good setup, or since this FRPP is somewhat a race motor,or should I look at another engine builder? I would like to go the 351W route, however I am unsure the PITA factor of that swap into this p/up. I would like to get as many cubes into it as possible, I gotta thrash those LS1 kids in the butt.

Thanks for the help...

 

Semper Fi

It sounds like u know your sh%t about engines.
I would stick with the 5.0L and beef it up alittle. I've done wonders w/ my 5.0L. A good intake, throttle body,heads,cam,and a good set of long tube headers and you'll be surprised.

Jerry D.

 

Don't expect to beat down an LS1s with a N/A 302 that's street bound. They have over 200cc intake runners in the heads, 15° heads, 6 bolt (!) mains, steel cranks, powdered metal rods, etc. I have an iron version in my '01 Z71.

The biggest downfall for SBF's are the cylinder heads, get some real heads and it'll make nearly as much power as a stock 351W will and FAR more HP. Canfield, AFR, or TrickFlow. That's the only way to get some pretty serious output from a small motor is with high velocity, small port heads.

IMO - Why 347 is a 351W is larger already, not to mention a stronger block? Many 347s use that 5.4" rod which causes oil control problems, not cool. You can run a 5.315" rod version (I recall that's the length, bear with me I've been up less than 1 hour ). Don't forget a 387 or 392 351W stroker is stock 351W rod length, 3.85" crank, and 302 compression height pistons... Big torque, cheap to build.

 

To beat the almighty LS1, all you need to do is watch "The Fast and the Furious" two times. Once forward, and once in slow rewind. There's tech tips hidden in there in the backwards version that shows how to beat any car with an LS1.

 

I've also owned two vehicles with the Gen III LS1, a '98 Z28 and an '01 C5. The powerband is just excellent stock, linear power with flat torque. You're competing with what, nearly 10 years of design efficiency since the EFI roller 302 HO came out.

 

Had a 99 Trans Am WS6. Did nothing but headers and lid for the air induction. Talk about waking up a car! The lid actually woke up the car more than the headers. Too bad they don't make 'em anymore. I'd buy one with a Duramax turbo diesel jobbie in it.

 

I am sorry you guys took me seriously, I should have put a "LOL" after my last comment...I know there is probably no way to beat an LS1, heck I even plan on getting a Vette next summer, so I am all too aware of its potential. Great motor, one of the best for serious power. I have a '69 351W block, ready to go into the truck, but like I said I am concerned I get into this and it is more of a pain in the butt to convert over to a Windsor than going a 331 route. I LOVE the Windsor and would love to put a 392/408 in the truck, but I am also concerned of the cost factor, too. If I have to start changing motor mounts, wiring harness, etc it could get expensive.

For the present, if I go with heads and intake do you think a good combo is Twisted Wedges and an Victor or Performer RPM EFI Manifold? I know its good for stangs, but I am unsure about the trucks.

Is this truck Mass Air or Speed Density?