Ok guys. I know it's a bit young at 180k miles, but it's time to pull the engine (the telltale chatter has begun). After much research, I think I have a plan, but I wanted to run it past you. I have a lot into this truck, so I plan to keep it, but I am not satisfied with the stock 302, and I have ruled out a complex 351 conversion (unless I can find a donor truck). So I have searched the four corners of the internet for a reputable engine builder who can build me a high performance 302 that's practical enough for daily driving. I have a couple of candidates, and I'd really like to hear some opinions on this before I drop $$$$.$$.

Choice # 1: Precision engine 302/331

Choice # 2: Engine factory - I'm likin this one. It's not a stroker, but they are boasting some significant HP numbers for a 302. I spoke to a rep, and they say that it's custom built, with my specific truck in mind, to ensure accessory compatibility, and bolt in installation. No truck mods required. They will stroke it for $1500 more, if I'm feelin like I have too much money when I order...

Choice # 3: Blueprint Engines - Ouch - these are expensive, but boast huge HP numbers.

Anyone work with these builders before?

 

They're all kinda pricey, but of the three, i think the second one would be the best for you, especially if you add a set of long tube headers. However, do NOT zip-tie the plug wires together like they did in the picture. That's the only thing that worries me about that builder.

 

Ignore the HP numbers. Pick the one with the biggest fattest torque curve. Big HP numbers require high RPM; more torque means better breathing, more efficient engine. A nice fat torque curve means that no matter what RPM you're at when you nail the throttle, it responds.

The build for torque requires slightly less radical heads and a shorter duration, higher lift cam with more LSA. Cost should be the same or slightly less because of the lesser head work.

 

Right!? I saw the zip ties, and I hoped they did that temporarily for moving the motor around. That aside, it looks like a great motor. I have spoken to reps from their shop, as well as from Precision, and there are some pros and cons to each. Precision is offering a lower price (even lower than advertised online) for a 347 stroker with GT40 heads. I told him that I wanted to be sure that I got an engine that would not cause emissions failures, and he said that the Edelbrocks would not likely be a problem, but he said that if I wanted to be sure, he could use the GT40 heads, which cost less, but bring a small tradeoff in HP. Overall, this seems like the absolute best bang for the buck so far. No doubt the 347 will put out much greater torque than the 302, and like StrangeRanger said - torque is the name of the game here...

 

347s are notoriously high maintenance. They beat conn rods and bearings to death and eat up piston rings and cylinder walls from the increased side loading. They are pretty much a weekend warrior engine that gets refreshed annually. They are known to not hold up well on daily drivers.

My 302 when it had the GT40 3-line heads, intake and T/B, a Crane 2030 roller, a FRPP Cobra processor w/ 24# injectors and shorty headers in my Mustang dynoed at 270RWHP @ 5000 with 318 ft-lbs @ 3800 (measured on the chassis dyno, not flywheel) and in excess of 300 ft-lbs from 3200-5000. In a truck, I'd probably go with the Eddy intake and T/B instead of the GT-40 and move the torque band down a bit at the cost of some peak power.

 

That's a real bummer to hear. I asked the rep about some of the negatives that float around regarding the 347, and he offered an enthusiastic denial of it. He proclaimed that the newer parts that are now available for the 347 are much better than previously available parts. That dude sounded rather convincing, too. What's your take on the 331? Would you consider it a good alternative? If I can get the motor through Precision, be it the 331 or the 347, I'll see significant savings over the other 2 brands, as well as a bettter warranty. As for the GT40 heads, I am willing to take them, knowing that they are just a little bit less preferable to the Eddy's, because I am saving about $500 on them. I am already pushing my budget outside of my comfort zone here, so If I get a motor that puts out 100 ft-lbs more than stock instead of 110 ft-lbs over stock, or even if the curve is a small amount off, it's $500 well saved, because my primary goal here is to get bang for the buck here, without busting my bank. Shoot - my luck'll be that as soon as I put a good motor in it, the dang tranny will shred into a can full of gear salad, and I'll be on here asking y'all about who to buy a tranny from...

Your advice is extremely valuable here, because the LAST thing I want to do is end up going through this again in a year. I noticed that PKRWUD's response to this thread was that the choices were pricey - am I barking up the wrong tree? Thanks guys.

PS - If any of you guys are close enough and can make it, we are doin some campin and wheelin up at an off road park in the Poconos 2nd week in September. It promises to be a good time!

 

car-parts.com 03 Cobra motor, complete with 6speed, computer and harness.

 

#3 = Yikes! Dude, if you have that much to spend, and more pep is the goal, you can easily take some of that money and use it to pay someone else to do the complicated motor swap for you... Just food for thought...

Don't forget Ford

http://www.fordracingparts.com/crate...smallblock.asp

And my favs:

http://www.fordracingparts.com/crateengine/bigblock.asp

 

347's are better now than they've ever been, and last longer than ever before, but it's all relative. They used to be toast between 30k and 50k miles, whereas now they often make it to 75k or 100k miles before needing a complete rebuild. Of course, that's in a much lighter vehicle. In a truck, you'd be lucky to make it 75k miles.

Tell the rep to put his money where his mouth is and give you a 36k mile warranty. He'll hang up so fast you'll never hear the click.




Hawaii Racing has a complete, brand new 1996 351W for $3195. Large Picture

They also have a complete, brand new 1995 351W Lightning Engine for $4495. Large Picture

They've got the Ford Racing 5.0L 345hp GT-40 Engine for $3295. Picture

Or if you feel like a challenge, they've got complete, brand new 2002 Mustang GT 4.6L engines for $2995. Large Picture

 

Thanks a million guys. I must have gotten more stupider as I get older. I thought I knew how to search the internet, but neither the Ford Racing site, nor the Hawaii Racing site came up when I scoured the internet for options. They both look like excellent choices. Good lookin out.

 

Well, I am very glad we wnt through this practice exercise in motor shopping/selection, because some day I might need the knowledge gleaned from it. I went to some lengths to choose the right motor, get a verbally quoted price, with detailed specs, talked to a performance tranny guy, got a quote for that too, then I rounded up the financing. All was set for what promised to be an awesome upgrade for my truck.

Then disaster struck - the engine was idling, loudly making the offensive noise that had me and my friends positive that it had a bad lifter, and I reached in to chech the plug wires, and the noise stopped. SON OF A ***** !!!! Loose spark plug. My friend said that he had never seen somone so upset about saving over $5000. I can't in clear conscience replace a perfectly good motor. With my luck, it'll run good for years - that's the problem with these trucks - they rarely give you an excuse to do major engine work...