302, 331, 351w, 393?

[5.0]

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Ok, I'm looking for opinions and advice from people who have run these motors. I'm looking to build a motor, but somewhat on a budget... best bang for the buck style.

Considering the cost vs. power of each motor, which would you choose? I'd like to get by with GT40 heads and intake if possible.

Things I want: EFI, wild roller cam, dependability and a long life, serpentine belt system, A/C.

I currently have a 302 roller motor to build, but would ahve to find a 351W. Don't forget to factor in the extra cost of headers, FEAD, and intake if you choose a 351W based motor.


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[bobbywalter]

1st choice......393


in your case, 331......talk with trickflow or edelbrock....


in anycase if you run eec4.....

spend the coin on moates quarterhorse or a tweecer rt.

 

[5.0]

in anycase if you run eec4.....

spend the coin on moates quarterhorse...

My brother has a moates quarterhorse that he uses with his SuperCoupe, although he lives pretty far away and I haven't actually seen the thing operate or entirely understand what it is capable of. Is it something I would need/want to use all the time, or can my brother use it to tune my computer and then nothing else needs done?


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[bobbywalter]

My brother has a moates quarterhorse that he uses with his SuperCoupe, although he lives pretty far away and I haven't actually seen the thing operate or entirely understand what it is capable of. Is it something I would need/want to use all the time, or can my brother use it to tune my computer and then nothing else needs done?


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well, a guy i did work for bought me one and i was just beginning to learn it...the guy we were tuning burned his car down and it was lost because of that, he was supposed to replace it....it happened last spring



he can send you his stuff and you buy a chip....you tune some stuff and chips and send it back....


you will love the fawkin thing.

i could hug kiss and fawk craig to death over that thing...

 

[bobbywalter]

so yeah....it will do what you want...and he can get it back

 

[projectnitemare]

351 wil be more expensive to build than a 302 but you will get more power. I'm glad I spent more and went bigger on the engine but on the other hand I hate that I did because you are going to break the rest of the truck, it quickly finds all the weak points. If you already have a 302 I would build it.

Matt

 

[Teddyzee]

If you only plan to use gt40 heads, I would stick with a 302. Those heads will limit the potential of anything larger.

 

[Mac]

On a buget and want the GT-40 intake/heads, really should tell you to stay with a good 302/5.0. Even a rather mild cam can supprise you and a lot of others. Race use or a DD? Can always gear the rear instead of adding HP.
Dave of the Nord

 

[bearsrngr]

You mention 302 and 331, why not 347? Again you would need better heads. Ported P's on the 331 might work but you would be limited.

 

[fordmike1]

302, 331, 351 or 393 will all make good hp with the GT40 heads. Yes there are much much better options out there if you have the money or find a nice set of heads for a great price. The first gen lightning's came with a 351w with GT40 heads and they were no slouches either. They were faster then the Chevy SS454's...lol. I just built a 393 stroker for a friend of mines Mustang and he had a set of GT40's that he wanted to run as that is what he had. The heads were redone with the stock valves and a good set of Comp Cams valve springs and that car made just shy of 400 RWHP after tuning on the dyno. He would have made alot better hp & tq. with a better set of heads but like I said that is what he had to use. Here are a couple of pics of the engine.

If you have a good 302 build that and if you want a bit more find a roller 351w and build that. Either way it will be fun.

 

[5.0]

On a buget and want the GT-40 intake/heads, really should tell you to stay with a good 302/5.0. Even a rather mild cam can supprise you and a lot of others. Race use or a DD? Can always gear the rear instead of adding HP.
Dave of the Nord

Yeah, I forgot to mention it's for a '93 supercab 2wd daily driver. It has 3.08 gears in the rear now which I will probably keep while I run my stock Crown Vic motor, then swap to a 3.73 Explorer rear when I drop in the rebuilt motor.

You mention 302 and 331, why not 347? Again you would need better heads. Ported P's on the 331 might work but you would be limited.

Why not a 347? Ignorance more than anything. I don't know much about the stroker motors, but have read that the 347 is not as dependable and long lasting as the 331 because of the pin to ring issue or something along those lines. True or not, I don't want to risk it for just 16 cubes.


The 302 motor I have will need new pistons anyway, which got me to thinking of a 331 stroker instead of a stock rebuild. Then I was wondering if I could put together a stock 351W for about the same money as a 331, would it have more power? Then as the 351W wears out and I feel the need for more power and find deals on better parts (like heads), then I can rebuild it to a 393

So I guess what I'm wondering now is, what has more power? A 331 with GT40 heads and intake or a 351W with either stock or GT40 heads?

When a block is at the machine shop to get bored, what else needs done? What is mandatory? What is highly suggested? What is completely optional? About how much should it cost to have an engine bored (total price with all other work, including tank and cam bearings)?

I'm thinking I should build a strong 331 and just learn to be happy with it lol.


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