I just bought a 1994 F150 4x4 auto supercab with 3.55s and I am new to the 302 (had a 300 in the last truck). I was just curious what "must have" bolt on upgrades can be done on this motor. I know there are a pile of performance upgrades for the 5.0, I was just curious what everyone is running.

Thanks,
captntim

 

Don't waste your money on bolt on mods. The short-stroke 5.0 does not produce the low-end grunt of the 300. With 3.55 gears, you will only make things worse by making an even more rev-happy motor than you already have.

A cam or rocker arm ratio change may help, but those are internal engine mods.

Jim

 

kenne-bell.....kenne-bell.....kenne-bell...

 

>kenne-bell.....kenne-bell.....kenne-bell...

He could build up a brand new bad *** engine for the money a kenne belle costs.

 

haha....yea...probably right......anyway, I guess I will let her alone for a while. I knew the powerband would be drastically different than the 6, but I figured some helpful mods can allways be made. I bought it because I needed a new truck, and she was the best one I could find for the money. So far it has been great.


Thanks for the help....any other ideas always welcome

 

Can always start out slow. An MSD 6a ignition is a popular mod because it's a good one and simple to install. 130-140 at summitracing.com.


The Kenne Bell kit is 3400 dollars, 6psi = 100hp and a decently simple install, not to bad. You can rebuild the engine when it goes eventually and make it even better and throw the supercharger on there and have a beast. I have a lot of posts going on the Kenne Bell supercharger....so check those out for more information.


Primary rig is Green Thunder:
95' F-150 XLT 4x4, 302, 5 spd, MSD 6A, Flowmaster Exhaust, Sunroof, Clear corners w/ Diamond headlights, CD player with 2 10" subs and some 32" BFG Muds .

Thats it for now, saving for a stang. Check out my Gallery for a look-see.


Justin - One Happy FTE Member

 

The reasons I suggested the kenne- bell are a few: driveablility, low maintenance, you can just stop there and not modify anything else ever again, and the truck will still be a blast to drive, And it completely changes the way the truck behaves(for the better) You no longer have to floor it to get it out of its' own way.
The object of the kenne-bell blower(subject to revision, this is my opinion and is to be treated as such) is to create the illusion that you bought a 1/2 ton 4x4 that is powered by a(not available from the factory) big block, and does this by making the engine think it is at 25,000(somewhere around there, anyway) feet below sea level, and to have it with all of the comforts of home and EFI. No trouble starting it in mornings, you can still have a quiet exhaust, the wine glasses won't vibrate and fall off of the dash( or beer cans for that matter), you do not have increased wear and tear on the valvetrain due to .560 lift springs, but it is still possible to try to peel the treads off of the tires with some degree of fun. It is a little difficult to have a conversation at a stoplight while competing with the shake and noise of a X-303 roller bumpstick.
Yes, the INITIAL cost is prohibitive, and sure, you can build a bad-derrierre' (sorry, I thought that kids were visiting this website) engine for the same cost as the blower, but you will have to change out gearing for something lower due to the destroyed low-end torque when you modify any 302(4x4, both ends, parts and labor), get a performance intake,hmm, 500-600 bucks, computer modifications, etc. Of course, you could just rip up the EFI and toss a carb on there too. But what happens is that you get an engine that loses 2000 rpm of its lower rpm range.
To be honest, It appears that the blower IS the best bang for the buck when working with EFI and trying to cover up for Ford's shortcomings with them installing an engine lacking any low-end and that is almost useless for anything in a truck( especially a 4-by) unless it is just putt-putting around town with light loads. Yes, I will hear back from people who claim that their 302(normally-aspirated) full-size truck is the fastest thing on four wheels, but I have built it, raced it, slapped it, spanked it, and called it Susan(sorry, I am making fun of the Mountain Dew X-game guys commercials), and there is a reason why so many on this site are asking for info on swaps to bigger engines.
There, done with the soapbox, it is now available for the next in line....

 

Have you got one? Because if you do we need to talk.


Primary rig is Green Thunder:
95' F-150 XLT 4x4, 302, 5 spd, MSD 6A, Flowmaster Exhaust, Sunroof, Clear corners w/ Diamond headlights, CD player with 2 10" subs and some 32" BFG Muds .

Thats it for now, saving for a stang. Check out my Gallery for a look-see.


Justin - One Happy FTE Member

 

That certainly is tempting, but also out of my price range. Thanks for the info though as it may prove useful in the future. Justin: did the MSD ignition make much difference in mileage and/or power? Also, what gears are you running to allow for 32s?

 

The best upgrade a 302 can get is to be replaced with the 5.8W. I had a capri that I dropped a 5.8 into till I traded it for my 93 mostly stock 5.0 Mustang. The Capri has it all over my present car in the torque department. That's why I went with the 5.8 in my truck. Not badmouthing the 5.0 but a 5.8 fits right in its spot with minimum mods.

Jayson
78 F100
93 5.0 GT
96 Taurus Wagon

Die hard Ford fan

 

The 5.8 is a more torquey engine but the 5.0 isn't 1/2 bad. The MSD proved noticeable and respectable improvements both in low end torque and high end smoothness. You see, what the MSD does is provide a multiple spark discharge on the plugs below 3000 RPM which makes for a better fuel burn. Also, the unit amplifies the power provided to the plugs, thus improving combustion. Above 3,000 RPM there isn't enough time for the mult sparks, so it just amplifies the power to the plugs which does smooth out the engine a little at higher RPM. Not sure if you know how a coil works but at high RPM the coil has a hard time providing enough power to the plugs so the MSD chimes in with the amplifier. It's a propular mod because of it's excellent bank for the buck factor. It's a snap to install too. I have one available if you're interested, I have a spare I want to get rid of. They have them at summitracing.com for 140 bucks and I would like to get about 100 for mine, it's almost new. They also have a small wiring harness that you might want to get for an easier installation, $15 bucks at summit.


Primary rig is Green Thunder:
95' F-150 XLT 4x4, 302, 5 spd, MSD 6A, Flowmaster Exhaust, Sunroof, Clear corners w/ Diamond headlights, CD player with 2 10" subs and some 32" BFG Muds .

Thats it for now, saving for a stang. Check out my Gallery for a look-see.


Justin - One Happy FTE Member

 

I'll have to double check but i'm almost 100% positive I have another harness too. $5.


Primary rig is Green Thunder:
95' F-150 XLT 4x4, 302, 5 spd, MSD 6A, Flowmaster Exhaust, Sunroof, Clear corners w/ Diamond headlights, CD player with 2 10" subs and some 32" BFG Muds .

Thats it for now, saving for a stang. Check out my Gallery for a look-see.


Justin - One Happy FTE Member

 

Also, what gears are you running
>to allow for 32s?

I hate to be negative again, but unless you have 4.10 gears, the 32's will be a problem. I got rid of them because I have 3.55 gears with the automatic. He has a 5-speed, which makes it easy to keep the 302 on the torque curve.

Jim

 

hmm....yep...i think I would be interested in your MSD box. In addition....I figured the auto would be a disadvantage so I will be sticking with the stock tires for now. Perhaps one of the Diablo chips would be an advantage, firming shift points and optimizing combustion. Then again, I would have to run premium fuel. I have also been reading other posts where an electric fan has been installed with some sucess.


captntim
'94 F150 4x4 subercab short bed 3.55s
stock 302EFI AOD
heavy service front springs (2" lift)
7' Fisher hydraulic minute mount plow
metallic green
15x8 American Racing Wheels/235 75R15 Pirelli Scorpion A/T

 

Drop me an E-mail, Greenthunder2195(No Email Addresses In Posts!). I have 32s on 3.55 gears and it's not to bad. I think you'll be ok if you have 3.55s on an automatic. You're has an OD of around .7 and mine is .8, it's driveable and decent but not overly powerful. Changing to 32s won't be a problem, I'd do it. I have 235 winter tires that I drive on when i tow my snowmobile trailer in the winter for extra power. I towed a 3,500lbs boat and it was decent on the 32s.


Primary rig is Green Thunder:
95' F-150 XLT 4x4, 302, 5 spd, MSD 6A, Flowmaster Exhaust, Sunroof, Clear corners w/ Diamond headlights, CD player with 2 10" subs and some 32" BFG Muds .

Thats it for now, saving for a stang. Check out my Gallery for a look-see.


Justin - One Happy FTE Member