302 or 351?

Topic: 302 or 351? (Read 1339 times) previous topic - next topic

302 or 351?

January 28, 2009, 01:47:09 AM

Back when i bought my 87 tbird It came with the EFI 302 witch it still has but the past couple of days I have been thinking about getting a fuel injected 351 and putting it in. I was wanting some advice if the 351 is worth the time and money, what kinda horse power it can handle and what what is the difference between a cobra 351 and a 351 out of a truck if there is one and what kind of a automatic transmission I should get.

Thanks, RareBreed:D

302 or 351?

Reply #1 – January 28, 2009, 09:59:44 AM

First you need to figure out a budget. Than figure out how fast you want to go. How the car would be used.. weekend car?, daily driver?..etc

Example: I have $xxxx.xx to spend and want to go this fast in my daily driver (12k mile/yr). Than you can figure out which platform to start building with.

302 or 351?

Reply #2 – January 28, 2009, 01:26:33 PM

It also depends on how stealth you wish to be. The 351 will NOT fit under the stock hood without a hood scoop.

302 or 351?

Reply #3 – January 28, 2009, 06:36:20 PM

I am willing to shell out about $12,000 for the entire drive train most of it in the motor. It would be a daily driver, i would drive it every day as something fun to do in the afternoon (I have a 90 mustang that i use to go to work) and i want to make these newer mustangs kiss me rear end and i am getting a 3" cowl hood for it.

302 or 351?

Reply #4 – January 28, 2009, 06:43:31 PM

Well I'll give you one guess what me and Charles would recomend... I see a 347 vs 408 debate coming :)

302 or 351?

Reply #5 – January 29, 2009, 11:14:50 AM

I have a 351 windsor with edelbrock carb in my 85 thunderbird and LOVE it.... with exception to the gas mileage. Mine fit just fine... but the AC bracket had to be customized. :burnout:

302 or 351?

Reply #6 – January 29, 2009, 12:29:43 PM

looks good gas mileage isn't much of a problem, i have a 4 banger mustang that i mope around town in.

302 or 351?

Reply #7 – January 29, 2009, 02:30:18 PM

For the money you are willing to put into the drivetrain, either option is viable. If you go 8.2" block you can afford to go aftermarket (based on your budget), so block strength is not an issue. Stroker is the way to go with either (again well within the budget).

Comes down to the overall goals you would like to achieve with the car. Street cruising, drag racing, open track, dyno queen? How much power do you want to make? Where would you like the power band? 8.2" block will have a lighter reciprocating assembly, lighter overall weight and the ability to rev. 9.5" block can be built to big block dimensions with monster torque.

Which ever you pick will need a strong trans (meaning no T-5 or stock AOD), beefed rear end (big axles and no T-Lok) and an upgraded suspension. If you don't do that stuff when you do the engine, you'll end up doing it anyway as they begin to break, weakest link first! It can be pretty disheartening to have a killer engine that runs great, but your sidelined trying to get money together (or waiting for parts) to fix a broken drive shaft, axle, differential, transmission, or suspention torque box... (ask me how I know)

There are tons of ways to go. Pick a goal, outline a plan, spend your money on a well matched combination. Seek expert advice, not magazine article advice. If you are willing to spend $12k on your car's drivetrain, what ever you pay a pro is chicken feed compared to what you have at risk if it's a turd when your done.

A source of information I've found extremely enlightening is sbftech.com. Bob can probably vouch for the info he's received there on his 408 build and Keith (Gruntinator) for his 347.

Love to see your plan when you get it together and progress on the project as it gets underway.

302 or 351?

Reply #8 – January 29, 2009, 07:57:38 PM

302 or 351?

Reply #9 – January 29, 2009, 08:35:10 PM

Quote from: 86T-bird;254309

For the money you are willing to put into the drivetrain, either option is viable. If you go 8.2" block you can afford to go aftermarket (based on your budget), so block strength is not an issue. Stroker is the way to go with either (again well within the budget).

Comes down to the overall goals you would like to achieve with the car. Street cruising, drag racing, open track, dyno queen? How much power do you want to make? Where would you like the power band? 8.2" block will have a lighter reciprocating assembly, lighter overall weight and the ability to rev. 9.5" block can be built to big block dimensions with monster torque.

Which ever you pick will need a strong trans (meaning no T-5 or stock AOD), beefed rear end (big axles and no T-Lok) and an upgraded suspension. If you don't do that stuff when you do the engine, you'll end up doing it anyway as they begin to break, weakest link first! It can be pretty disheartening to have a killer engine that runs great, but your sidelined trying to get money together (or waiting for parts) to fix a broken drive shaft, axle, differential, transmission, or suspention torque box... (ask me how I know)

There are tons of ways to go. Pick a goal, outline a plan, spend your money on a well matched combination. Seek expert advice, not magazine article advice. If you are willing to spend $12k on your car's drivetrain, what ever you pay a pro is chicken feed compared to what you have at risk if it's a turd when your done.

A source of information I've found extremely enlightening is sbftech.com. Bob can probably vouch for the info he's received there on his 408 build and Keith (Gruntinator) for his 347.

Love to see your plan when you get it together and progress on the project as it gets underway.

I couldn't be happier with the service I recieved from Jay Allen at http://www.camshaftinnovations.com. When I emailed him we set up a phone appointment and he spent 30-40min with me on the phone and we discussed everything about my combo and he took his time explaining things to me that I didn't know. Once we finalized the engine parts the combo would have Jays took all that information and designed a camshaft that will bring everything together.

Do the job right the first time and get professional advice and help with your project. Whether its Jay Allen from http://www.camshaftinnovations.com/ or Ed Curtis from http://www.flowtechinduction.com/ you can't go wrong.:burnout:

302 or 351?

Reply #10 – January 29, 2009, 09:37:49 PM

I've been spending some time reading over of sbftech, I love every second of it.