Engine Gurus - Need some thoughts and opinions

[91GriggsGT]

So I am thinking it is time to start doing some engine mods. Already have the suspension, rear end, and just recently switched out the T5 with a TKO-600 road race transmission. Specs on the motor are as follows:

302, stock heads, and stock internals as far as I know. BBK cold air, stock MAF, Edelbrock RPM 2 with 70mm throttle body. Going from memory, when I had it tuned, the car did around 232hp/289tq on the dyno at HPP.

Here are a couple options I am looking at doing with the motor:

Option 1 - Heads Only
AFR 165s with 1.550 215@1.950 Valve springs, ARP 7/16 rocker studs, Crower 1.6 and 1.7 roller rockers, and stud girdle bars, 30lbs injectors and 70-80mm MAF.

Option 2 - Heads and Cam
All the above, plus a cam. The cam I am looking at is the B303 (284° 284° 0.480" 0.480")

Basically, looking for opinions on the setup. I want to stay with basic stuff right now so I am not having to worry about piston to valve clearance issues, but still squeeze some more HP out of the motor before the bottom end blows up and without dumping a ton of cash.

[dville_gt]

So the options are heads or heads and cam? If that's the case I'd say heads and cam

[Txstang1]

Heads and cam

[mk5.0]

Afr is a good choice. But I would look at a comp or Anderson cam instead of b-cam.

[Broncojohnny]

Stud girdles are a waste of money on that setup, the springs to run a B cam are puny.

[Rreemo]

It's very possible to make good power with a stock cam, and if you are looking to retain the best drivability possible I can understand it. Here's a cool article I remember from a while back....

http://www.carcraft.com/techarticles/116_0307_ford_302_v8_engine_buildup/index.html

However, that said....if you are tearing it down that far you might as well take the extra time for the balancer, waterpump, and front cover R&R.

As said above though....I would also advise against a B cam....it's just simply old technology (what ~20-years now?)....there are a lot better options out there for your time and money....however as opposed to just taking a guess, I'd get on the horn with AFR and have them make a recomendation that is best paired with their 165 heads.

[FoxBodyNick]

Afr is a good choice. But I would look at a comp or Anderson cam instead of b-cam.

this

[cornbread]

anderson nt1 cam and afr165's netted 301/322 to the wheels on a 30 over 302 with cobra intake and 70mm tb and 76mm maf

[Vertnut]

According to that article link, they made 278hp with an intake/carb swap on an otherwise stock 302? Added heads and headers for 400hp? I don't see it.

[Diabolic]

And I would choose TW170's over the 165's. More potential to grow and allows you to run a larger cam(more lift).

[91GriggsGT]

Stud girdles are a waste of money on that setup, the springs to run a B cam are puny.

I picked them up used and all that hardware came with the heads.

And I would choose TW170's over the 165's. More potential to grow and allows you to run a larger cam(more lift).

See above.

[91GriggsGT]

I appreciate the info so far fellas. I am looking to get as much info / first hand experience as possible.

I just picked the B cam due to not having to clearance the pistons. I will look around at different options.

I did send an email to AFR to see what they would recommend.

Really, the plan is to get as much as I can out of this motor with a little coin, then when it goes boom......Thats when the money starts flowing into a stroker for the car.

This car is strictly a track car. No street at all.

I would post a pic but I am at work and the internet sucks out here. Almost feels like dial up.

Here is a link to the build thread.

http://www.dfwmustangs.net/forums/showthread.php?t=8900

[VaderTT]

Said this before, but that car is sooooooo sick!!!

[Txstang1]

According to that article link, they made 278hp with an intake/carb swap on an otherwise stock 302? Added heads and headers for 400hp? I don't see it.

I had a stock shortblock carb'd 306 with some oooooold ass aluminum gt40 heads and a comp 282 cam. 420 flywheel horse, ran 7.80s in a 3350lb car.

[Vertnut]

I had a stock shortblock carb'd 306 with some oooooold ass aluminum gt40 heads and a comp 282 cam. 420 flywheel horse, ran 7.80s in a 3350lb car.

420 flywheel is not 400 at the wheels. Is the article talking flywheel or rear wheels? I didn't see which. You had aftermarket heads and they used stock E7's.