Been looking at performance characteristics of truck engines--old and new--for awhile, and had some questions about power in particular. Torque numbers seem reasonably close between the older Ford engines and the early current body style trucks.

Very simply, why don't the older Ford engines (like my '91 302) make more power? 185 horsepower is weak. What is holding these engines back from making more power than they do, and what mods will therefore have the biggest impact per dollar spent?

185 horsepower out of a 302 just isn't right...

Thanks,

Mike

 

Mike, you can blame the EPA for your anemic engine performance. Ford had to detune it to get the gas milage up. Get a mustang mag to get upgrades, also you can visit your local wrecking yard for old 5.0 mustang parts cheap.