best 302 motor upgrades

[baddad457]

It had 50psi oil pressure when I pulled it in the garage other than that history wise I have no idea. It didn't smoke and seemed to idle good, it barely had anything left of the exhaust and the accelerator pump on the carb was leaking soooo.... it's hard to say other than that. No idea of mileage either, obviously is not the stock engine so odometer does nothing for me. The timing chain is shot and the stinkin nylon gear set is shot also.

You have a roller block, replace the flat tappet cam with a roller cam, the stock HO or an F4TE cam will work wonders over what it's got now. You can find what you need in any 94-87 pickup/van 5.0 (lifters, hold down spyder, dogbones, pushrods) Replace the timing set with a double row, roller chain set (these came stock on most applications after 1988).Ditch the E5 heads for something else, they're no better than those 78 heads with giant 70 cc chambers. As for an intake, I'd opt for any of the highrise dual planes, these will give the same bottomend as the low rise (Performer) but give you a bit more topend and if you plan on future upgrades, you'll be set as far as the intake goes.

 

[rguest3]

I would go with a Roller Cam as well.

Ideally:

AFR 165 Aluminum Heads
Comp Cam XE264HR Cam - SK-Kit (Cam, Lifters and Timing Set)
Weiand Stealth Intake
9.0-9.5 to 1 Pistons with the 58cc heads
600 cfm Carb

This combo would make a VERY strong 5.0L with nice torque as well. Have done this build 2 times with great results.