302 Mild Upgrades?

[UrbanNinja814]

Hi all,

I have a 01 Ranger with the 4.0 that has enough power to tow my teardrop camper just fine, but since the engine is coming up on 200,000 miles, I want to do a v8 swap.
I just bought a 2000 Explorer with the 302 and am going to fully machine and rebuild the engine. With it being taken apart now is the time to do some upgrades but I dont know enough to make an informed decision.

I would like to keep the GT40 heads and intake since I already have them, but from there I'm not sure what to do. I think some torque monster headers are probably the easiest first upgrade but am not sure from there.
It seems to me most cams trade horsepower for low-end torque (which I want the most), so would else should I look for?

 

[franklin2]

It's going to be hard to beat the factory setup for low end torque. They tuned that engine to loaf along and move that vehicle when in overdrive at a very low rpm. And the rest of the fuel injection system is designed with that in mind. Like you said, one thing leads to another, the 302 has to rev to make any power. You could do small things like using gaskets to port match the intake and other minor little things like that.

I would carefully evaluate the headers and maybe someone will chime in who has them. The small power increase you get with them may not be worth the headaches of installation and maintenace chores later on, like the starter and sparkplugs and wires.

 

[19Walt93]

First check your state's rules- a motor swap on a 2001 may not fly.
I used a Comp cam in a 302 that only had 206 degrees of duration at .050' with about .480" lift and it had good bottom end power. If you're keeping the stock cam some 1.7 ratio roller rockers will help a little. Stock ratio 1.6 roller rockers would work well with the Comp cam and reduce friction if used with the stock cam. A free flowing 2 1/4"- 2 1/2" single exhaust will help, a high flow cat won't restrict the exhaust and would act like a resonator to reduce drone. I like Dynomax Super Turbo mufflers but sound is a matter of taste. When you have it together run 5W30 oil and save the 15w40 for the diesel guys, it takes power to pump molasses.

 

[Mechrick]

The stock Explorer cam is great for a streeter. I ran a Mustang grind in my BII for a while but switched back to the stock cam because of driveability issues below 1100 RPM with the manual trans. There was also a carefully documented gain of 3 mpg hwy with the stock cam as well.

With the automatic, one of the Comp Extreme Energy cams might be a good choice. The 5.0L likes to rev with a bit more cam duration...

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Don't get too wild.

Heat is your enemy, especially when towing.

The more power you have to more cooling you need.

Headers increase underhood temps. The only thing more ridiculous than the price for torque monsters is the lead time.

My boring old crown vic 5.0 with a stock '89 Mustang cam has a surprisingly nice bottom end, tows my 1000lb popup with ease. Same goes for the 800lb slide in.

Anything your 4.0 would do a fresh stock 5.0 will do better, don't get greedy.

 

[bobbywalter]

https://www.jegs.com/i/AFR---Airflow-Research/033/1351/10002/-1?srsltid=AfmBOoqPt2PxLgIGhYUn0N2klZGPE3twN-XLY1pWqYP80nfqN6gOpE3F8Ho&gQT=2

Pardon Our Interruption...

https://www.holley.com/products/ls_power/ls_intakes/components_and_service_parts/parts/300-240F

https://www.holley.com/products/eng...8e9qMzyczk1ecHCU2Tbwkxrxy39t_muUaAjgXEALw_wcB

injectors and fuel pumps

Richard Holdener Performance

Richard Holdener Performance

richardholdenerperformance.com

 

[bobbywalter]

best bang for buck....

https://www.cjponyparts.com/aces-fuel-injection-joker-sequential-efi-kit-for-ford-289-302-engines/p/JKSEFI3-V/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22260494620&gbraid=0AAAAAD1v5VkKIQLIXGVA10JXQXvK1YDve&gclid=Cj0KCQjwm93DBhD_ARIsADR_DjHeIpvRVFvjJAeI0AZ0RK9Oq2_q7sKQqIzcJg3rQIGL0YRalR6FaUcaAs-4EALw_wcB#221=2000&year=1985

Gambler Series CAM Sync Distributor

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[Blmpkn]

Bolt ons.. easy, effective.

 

[bobbywalter]

thats chevy stuff

 

[Blmpkn]

"He who build Ford tough; must use Chevy stuff"

Confucius - 450 B.C, right after discovering opium.. probably.

 

[bobbywalter]

"He who build Ford tough; must use Chevy stuff"

Confucius - 450 B.C, right after discovering opium.. probably.

probably...maybe