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Author
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Topic: 302 engine modification.
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Mike65
Gearhead Posts: 1730
From: Columbia,NJ, USA. 65 Fastback, 69 Coupe MCA #-04549
Registered: Dec 2000
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posted 11-04-2002 10:12 AM
   
Hi all, I just acquired a low milage 302 for one of my cars & I want a little more pep from it. Should I go with the 347 stroker kit & GT-40 heads, or bore it out .030 or .040 & the gt-40 heads? The car will be used as a weekend cruiser & for taking to shows. Any suggestions?.  ------------------
Mike & Robin
65 Mustang Fastback
69 Mustang Coupe
87 LTD CV
99 Explorer Sport
00 Ranger XLT Extd Cab
"900 HP of Detroit muscle!!!"
M&M #- 890
MCA #- 4549
www.mike65.mustangsandmore.ws
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indyphil
Gearhead Posts: 414
From: Lafayette, IN, USA
Registered: Jul 2002
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posted 11-04-2002 11:14 AM
the bore increase only gets you a few more cubes, nothing like a 347 kit. the bore is cheaper, but you will still need to take it all apart and buy new pistons, so you might as well stroke it too. I think the 347 cubes implies the 0.030 bore job anyway. The extra cubes (347) makes horespower more easily, you wont need as wild a cam to make 300+hp so your weekend cruiser can have power and good manners at the same time.Tell us what you end up doing, Im interested in stroking my 289.
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rockafellz
Gearhead Posts: 914
From: San Lorenzo, CA, USA
Registered: Aug 2001
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posted 11-04-2002 11:36 AM
Hey Mike,Do a username search for "V8 Thumper" (Todd). He just built a 333ci (.040) stroker that sounds like it has TONS of power. He can give you a lot of good pointers and leads. Also, do a little research about different heads. I've seen a lot of different opinions on GT-40 heads. Just my opinion. Erik ------------------
1966 Ford Mustang 2+2
Mine - Restomod in Progress 1966 Ford Mustang Coupe
Dad's - Original Unrestored
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mustangboy
Gearhead Posts: 520
From: Ont, Canada
Registered: Mar 2002
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posted 11-04-2002 04:53 PM
If the engine is low mileage,don't bother boring it.You won't even notice an increase in power just from the 4 cubic inches you'd gain from a .030 over.
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V8 Thumper
Gearhead Posts: 2991
From: Orange, Ca. United States of America
Registered: Dec 2001
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posted 11-04-2002 08:38 PM
Yea, strokers can be kinda fun  As a weekend cruiser it's a blast. TONS of tire-shredding mid-range torque  As previously mentioned, the extra displacement could allow you to build a more conservative package and still have good power... as with any motor, you can go mild or wild... it really depends on how much you want to spend. A few things to think about: More cubic inches need to breathe deep, requiring GOOD heads and GOOD exhaust. Stock 289 heads and exhaust manifolds will really handicap the displacement of a stroker. 289/302 blocks can be bored/stroked to the moon, but reliability suffers. 347 is even pushing it, that's why I built a 333. 351's on the other hand can handle upwards of 400ci+ without the pucker 
Low-end stroker kits start around $1200, whereas the good kits can almost double that and go up from there, and that's just the rotating/reciprocating assembly. Good heads: $1000+. Good exhaust: $500+. Carb/intake: $700... and it snowballs from there. Drivetrain upgrades get to be paramount, as do cooling systems (more power makes more heat). Brakes get to being a BIG priority (what good is power if you can't stop?) so it's up to you to decide how crazy you want to get. I quote Alex: "The only thing better than cubic inches, is MORE CUBIC INCHES!"
'nuff said  ------------------
1965 GT coupe, 333ci aluminum headed/solid cammed stroker, four speed, 3.70:1 9" All Blue Oval, no blue bottle
http://mustangsandmore.50megs.com/V8Thumper.html [This message has been edited by V8 Thumper (edited 11-04-2002).]
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Fastymz
Moderator Posts: 9095
From: Reno Nv USA MEM#1240
Registered: Apr 2001
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posted 11-05-2002 01:40 AM
Mike why just put some better heads and cam in the 302 now.And skip the stroker.
If it's a good running 302,you should be just fine.SCOOP ------------------
oddly obsessed with big scoops on little Mustangs 2.26 60'S
14.9 @ 90.86MPH 65 coupe,351w,C4,Big Boss 429 hood scoop,8"3.40 TracLoc,Cragar SS,Black Suede. https://mustangsandmore.com/ubb/Fastymz.html
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John Z
Gearhead Posts: 309
From: Morgantown, WV
Registered: Jul 99
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posted 11-06-2002 09:44 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Fastymz:
Mike why just put some better heads and cam in the 302 now.And skip the stroker.
If it's a good running 302,you should be just fine.SCOOP
I agree, my warmed up 302 with 3.55 gears provides more fun than the law allows. Why do so many people focus on the engine when it's a lot easier to get performance (at least acceleration) from the other end of the car?
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