Ford Performance Boss 302 ... thoughts ?

[PCDan]

So I've decided to go with a crate engine for my 68 Luber project. Any thoughts on this Ford Performance 340hp Boss 302? https://performanceparts.ford.com/part/M-6007-X302E
I don't need a hot rod, but I'd like some nice pep and sound, and this seems like a good motor, with a warranty. I plan on putting in a Ford EFI with it. Alternatives are obviously the various engines like a 306, 331, 347 from re-builders.

Thanks

 

[DirtDonk]

Hard to go wrong with Ford Racing engines. But what exactly are you shooting for?
You going to run EFI (and which kind?) or carburetor? (edit: oops, didn't read carefully enough) What gearing and tire size? What is your intended use?
And what is your "attitude" in that intended use? That last being the main things I suppose.

Reason I ask is that most (maybe not all, but for sure most) Bronco owners with EFI (especially Ford EFI) hate that e-303 cam. It's a great power cam for a lighter car, and the Mustang guys swear by them. And if you like a bit of a lopey idle, and good mid to high rpm power, it's not a bad choice. There are better ones in the aftermarket I think, and they've been selling that cam for probably 20 years now (just a guess though), so it might be a bit dated perhaps.

You'll need a new flywheel to get the more appropriate 164-tooth truck model. Not a big deal.
You'll need to get all the right pulleys and such for your belt drive system, but that's not necessarily a deal breaker either. Many have done that even for their original engines.

If you do go with that engine, then as we like to say around here, "don't fear the gear" and wimp out on your differential gear ratios. Go one or two notches lower than you might otherwise for your tire size. More so if you go with an overdrive trans.

So, good engine. But not a stump-pulling truck engine I would say.
Are there any dyno sheets printed for this engine by any chance? Maybe I'm over-stating some stuff. But in a 302-sized engine with that cam, I don't think so.

So what are your intentions with the truck?

Good luck. Hard choice with so many out there.

Paul

 

[Broncobowsher]

Don't want a hot rod, just some pep. With a comment like that I would pass on this engine. Not that it is a bad engine, just not one that matches what you describe as your needs. This is a fairly high strung near race engine. I know race engines not built this good.

What you want for some pep is torque, and at low RPMs. For that you need cubes. A mild 351 will be a better match for what you want. And there are storker versions if you really want some pep.

 

[Timmy390]

I don't like the E303 cam in a Bronco. It's a Mustang cam. Makes power 2500-6000 RPM as I recall. Requires a high stall for an automatic trans

Much better choices out there.......JMO

Tim

 

[PaveBronco]

My take... your doing a LUBER, (very jealous) so mostly street, not huge tires. save your money and go with the whole engine and trans setup form a 5.0 Explorer. You can get it rebuilt and add cool stuff like Aluminum heads, increased ratio rockers, etc.. if that's what you want, and like Paul says, gearing is key...so you'll have tire smoking pep if you want...or go the 351 route...either way it will be more bang for you buck.

 

[PCDan]

Hard to go wrong with Ford Racing engines. But what exactly are you shooting for?
You going to run EFI (and which kind?) or carburetor? What gearing and tire size? What is your intended use?
And what is your "attitude" in that intended use? That last being the main things I suppose.

Reason I ask is that most (maybe not all, but for sure most) Bronco owners with EFI (especially Ford EFI) hate that e-303 cam. It's a great power cam for a lighter car, and the Mustang guys swear by them. And if you like a bit of a lopey idle, and good mid to high rpm power, it's not a bad choice. There are better ones in the aftermarket I think, and they've been selling that cam for probably 20 years now (just a guess though), so it might be a bit dated perhaps.

You'll need a new flywheel to get the more appropriate 164-tooth truck model. Not a big deal.
You'll need to get all the right pulleys and such for your belt drive system, but that's not necessarily a deal breaker either. Many have done that even for their original engines.

If you do go with that engine, then as we like to say around here, "don't fear the gear" and wimp out on your differential gear ratios. Go one or two notches lower than you might otherwise for your tire size. More so if you go with an overdrive trans.

So, good engine. But not a stump-pulling truck engine I would say.
Are there any dyno sheets printed for this engine by any chance? Maybe I'm over-stating some stuff. But in a 302-sized engine with that cam, I don't think so.

So what are your intentions with the truck?

Good luck. Hard choice with so many out there.

Paul

Thanks Paul, So the "plan" right now is this, but I'm open to other options, that's why I'm asking. This is my first Bronco

-Ford EFI (have heard they are less tempremenal, easy to tune, they just work)
-Thought of an NV 3550 5 speed would be best?
-33" tires (will be lifted 4.5 total, 1" bl plus 3.5 sl)
-Currently the truck has 3.50 gearing - no problem changing the gearing to what I should run.

Let me clarify when I said I don't want a hot rod, I don't NEED a hot rod but a quick fun motor is fine This is really a fun around town truck and light wheeling and fishing truck. Mostly for dirt roads in the back country, maybe some slick rock in Moab, but NOT building it for crawling.

 

[PCDan]

I don't like the E303 cam in a Bronco. It's a Mustang cam. Makes power 2500-6000 RPM as I recall. Requires a high stall for an automatic trans

Much better choices out there.......JMO

Tim

They make the motor with this cam as well https://performanceparts.ford.com/part/M-6250-B303 , but that seems even lumpier , if that's a word.

 

[73azbronco]

Avoid the E303 or any alphabet Ford camshaft in a heavy truck. B303, lumpy idle means high rpm power band. X and Z cams for radical heads.

BTW its a great motor at a great price, but with that cam it belongs in a mustang. Can you do a cam swap? Get the motor and swap in a good compcams 255-265 style camshaft and be done.

 

[PCDan]

Don't want a hot rod, just some pep. With a comment like that I would pass on this engine. Not that it is a bad engine, just not one that matches what you describe as your needs. This is a fairly high strung near race engine. I know race engines not built this good.

What you want for some pep is torque, and at low RPMs. For that you need cubes. A mild 351 will be a better match for what you want. And there are storker versions if you really want some pep.

A 351 would be great, but this is what I've read/heard on doing the 351.

-More accessory/mounting tweaking work under the hood depending on what else is being used i.e., power steering, power brakes Etc ?
- would need more body lift with the Ford EFI (minimum 1.5" bl)

All still doable though

 

[Timmy390]

Avoid the E303 or any alphabet Ford camshaft in a heavy truck. B303, lumpy idle means high rpm power band. X and Z cams for radical heads.

Thanks for stating what I should have........;D

Tim

 

[DirtDonk]

-Ford EFI (have heard they are less tempremenal, easy to tune, they just work)

Yes, but not with that cam they don't. You'd need a special tune at the very least. I have a hot-rodding buddy that had the choice of E303 or Explorer and he just couldn't fathom building something without going bigger for more fun factor.
Well, the fun factor wore off even for him literally in the first week.
And he DID like the idea of a hot rod. If that tells you anything.

-Thought of an NV 3550 5 speed would be best?

Hard to decide what's "best" for someone, but generally speaking they're a great transmission for your kind of Bronco. The newer AX-15 as well. They're both physically almost the same dimensions and the AX has a taller first gear so not quite as truck-oriented.

-33" tires (will be lifted 4.5 total, 1" bl plus 3.5 sl)

Popular setup. For a LUBR you could even go 3.5 total and keep it easier to get in and out of. You taking wives and kids around in it? Or all adults? And the spouse likes climbing and jumping? Some do, some don't. Which is why I ask.
A 16" tire with a narrower tread will be easier to fit on an uncut rear. Keep the wheel width to 7 if you can, and 8 only if you have to. Don't go over 8 inches wide. And watch the tire size and axle location. With a 33 you should at least plan ahead in case you need to move the axle back 1" or so to help the tires clear the leading edge of the uncut rear wheel well opening.

-Currently the truck has 3.50 gearing - no problem changing the gearing to what I should run.

Good. 4.11 minimum with a stock EFI engine. With the engine linked above I'd think 4.88's would be the ticket for happiness.

Let me clarify when I said I don't want a hot rod, I don't NEED a hot rod but a quick fun motor is fine This is really a fun around town truck and light wheeling and fishing truck. Mostly for dirt roads in the back country, maybe some slick rock in Moab, but NOT building it for crawling.

I'd still hunt for a different engine. You could likely get one better suited to a Bronco and your plans, and even save a little money at the same time.
I hear you about the "don't need, but it might be cool" thing. But since this is a big expensive project and you'd like to enjoy it all the way around and not ever have to mess with it again (hopefully) it sounds to me like you should go for a better cam.
Nothing wrong with 330 hp actually. It's just where in the rpm range the torque peaks that makes the difference. If getting a better truck engine means losing 30 or 40 horsepower at the top though, I would not consider that a loss. After all, remember your '68 probably had the equivalent of 170 hp at the flywheel. I know it was rated at 200 if I remember, but that was the "gross" horsepower rating that changed to "net" after '71. So your 340hp is very likely literally DOUBLE the horsepower of your original 289.
Something to think about when wondering if it's enough. You can really wake up a Bronco with the right gearing and 250 actual hp. Three hundred's a big bonus.
Especially if it makes 350lbs of torque at 2000 rpm!

Paul

 

[PCDan]

Thanks for the opinions guys. Sounds like the general consensus is that particular engine is a little too high performance tuned with those cams.

So my question now is which crate engine, if you know, would be more appropriate for my needs. And where to get it.

I know quite a few on the forum go with 331s, 347s , 351s and stroked 351s. I don't know anything about the 5.0 Explorer.

 

[Broncobowsher]

351 is not a difficult swap. If you use the Explorer accessory drive all you need is the balancer rebalanced for a 351 (damperdudes is well known for that). Gets you all the modern accessory drive and a cooling fan that works. Actually fits better on a 351 than on a 302 since the idler is further from the crossmember. People have been doing 351 swaps since these were still in production.

The factory EFI (pretty much a lightening intake is the one you will want) is a bit difficult to find and I believe you are right in needing a little over an inch of body lift for it to fit. But drop an inch of suspension lift will get you the same overall and better driveline and steering geometry as well.

 

[5001craig]

351 is not a difficult swap. If you use the Explorer accessory drive all you need is the balancer rebalanced for a 351 (damperdudes is well known for that). Gets you all the modern accessory drive and a cooling fan that works. Actually fits better on a 351 than on a 302 since the idler is further from the crossmember. People have been doing 351 swaps since these were still in production.

The factory EFI (pretty much a lightening intake is the one you will want) is a bit difficult to find and I believe you are right in needing a little over an inch of body lift for it to fit. But drop an inch of suspension lift will get you the same overall and better driveline and steering geometry as well.

I agree with Broncobowsher. My 351W based motor fit pretty well. I had to trim a firewall bolt and the stock hood is close but I run a 3" tall air cleaner along with a 2" BL.

I like my motor but the 3K stall was required with the cam. Works great for me.

 

[73azbronco]

Hold on, I did say that was a pretty good price. Maybe find a 5 or 10% off Ford parts coupon and for a few hundred more have a reasonable camshaft in that thing.

 

[bigcountry]

I have one of the older ford racing crate engines in my 66. It makes 340 hp and has the e-303 cam. I love it. Keep in mind I bought mine from a guy that had it in a ford ranger for drag racing and had only ran it like 6 times. I got a smoking deal on it. Would I buy that motor to put in a bronco probably not due to the cost...but I do like it. It runs hard and pulls good.

I have 4:11 gears and 33's with 3 speed on the column. If it was an auto, not sure I would like it as much.

Anyway, you can get what you are looking for at a much cheaper price.

 

[WheelHorse]

I ran an e303 with the total edelbrock package in my Fox with a stock EEC. Ran a best of 12.5 @ 109 with a lousy 1.77 60 ft before I supercharged it. It idled fine. Never ran it back down the track on boost: would guess mid to low 11's. Made 445/442 at the rear tire with 12.2lbs of boost on a 93 tune. Car weighed 3360 with me in it, 3.55 rear gear with a 2.95 first gear ratio.

My video of when I sold it..

My '93 Coupe E-cam

If you want torque "peppy, in-town" shifting before 5G, go 351 or 408 and small iron heads like GT40's or the Blueprint 408.

 

[chriskent85]

$1k less for the same motor
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ford-Racing...ash=item2cbc010c8a:g:-nkAAOSw2gxYzEva&vxp=mtr

 

[Broncobowsher]

...

If you want torque "peppy, in-town" shifting before 5G, go 351 or 408 and small iron heads like GT40's or the Blueprint 408.

I would say some aluminum heads if for no other reason then you can run a bit more compression, and that wakes up engines making them fun to drive. My last 351 had trick flow heads but only a little cam (same grind as an Edelbrock performer). That was a fun engine. Ran good from idle to 6,000 RPM. It was very fun and peppy, and only put 250 HP to the tires.