Engine Rebuild - 302

[HECDOGGIE]

I have read many different suggestions on what to change when doing a rebuild, I'm starting my own thread to try and figure out what to do :

93 Cobra - stock 302 -

Right now , the car leaves about a 3" round spot of oil after its driven ( around my neighborhood only so far )

The engine sounds weak- exhaust isn't loud compared to the 89 I had. No cats / h-pipe -flows - long tubes now .

My plans are to drive it this way until I can stock pile parts -

What's the most economical way to rebuild ? I do plan on a supercharger later-

What parts should I go after ?

I will change heads / rockers / rods / electric fan /

[racrguy]

Plan on a blower? Buy a dart block too.

[Lone Star Performance]

The stock 302 block is pretty weak as stated above. Once you start exceeding about 400rwhp, they don't like to stay together too much longer.

BUT, budget build.... Arlington machine charges about $165 to clean the block, check for cracks and hone the cylinders, making it ready for rebuild. Reuse your crank, rods and find some factory forged pistons and you'll be good for the bottom end for a low budget.

IMO, just do a nice top end, cam, heads, etc and either keep it N/A, or low boost, or small shot of giggle juice

[Aceman85turbo]

LS truck motor

[mk5.0]

I would just fix the rear main seal or whatever is causing your oil leak.

[Lone Star Performance]

I would start out with doing a compression/leak down test and see if a rebuild is needed. If you need any help, or the equipment, let me know

[HECDOGGIE]

The stock 302 block is pretty weak as stated above. Once you start exceeding about 400rwhp, they don't like to stay together too much longer.

BUT, budget build.... Arlington machine charges about $165 to clean the block, check for cracks and hone the cylinders, making it ready for rebuild. Reuse your crank, rods and find some factory forged pistons and you'll be good for the bottom end for a low budget.

IMO, just do a nice top end, cam, heads, etc and either keep it N/A, or low boost, or small shot of giggle juice

Great info - I need to check compression first and see of a rebuild is needed. It feels good , it just doesn't sound healthy! Top end for sure though-

[racrguy]

Great info - I need to check compression first and see of a rebuild is needed. It feels good , it just doesn't sound healthy! Top end for sure though-

Don't forget to do a leak down too. It could be something as simple as rebuilding the heads.

[HECDOGGIE]

Don't forget to do a leak down too. It could be something as simple as rebuilding the heads.

Thanks for the info...
Dart SHP block ? Thats a lot of coin!!

It takes a lot ($) to make the kind HP the Dark blocks can handle.

Is the stock block ( if in good condition) good enough to handle circa 500 hp ?
I think it will take a lot of money to get to 500 hp .. . .. .

[Josh.0]

what is your goal? are you trying to go a certain speed on the track, hit a certain hp number? what do you want to do with the car?

[HECDOGGIE]

what is your goal? are you trying to go a certain speed on the track, hit a certain hp number? what do you want to do with the car?

Drive it from time to time ... Just dont want it to be "slow"

No racing, it wont see the drag strip.

[ELVIS]

Drive it from time to time ... Just dont want it to be "slow"

No racing, it wont see the drag strip.

cam, long tubes, h-pipe. it will sound fast enough, and you wont have much in it.

god bless.

[HECDOGGIE]

cam, long tubes, h-pipe. it will sound fast enough, and you wont have much in it.

god bless.

It has long tubes and h-pipe ... It just sounds quiet. ?

My 89 was LOUD and you could feel the compression.

Unsure of the block/pistons, or cam, but the 89 had AFRs, Typhoon upper/lower, ported 306, crane 1.7, long tubes, hpipe etc.....

If you let off the gas in my 93 while coasting you cant hear or feel ANY exhaust or motor... kinda weird

[Josh.0]

a h/c/i car sounds a lot different then a stock car

[racrguy]

Thanks for the info...
Dart SHP block ? Thats a lot of coin!!

It takes a lot ($) to make the kind HP the Dark blocks can handle.

Is the stock block ( if in good condition) good enough to handle circa 500 hp ?
I think it will take a lot of money to get to 500 hp .. . .. .

I wouldn't trust a stock block anywhere around that power level. With you wanting to buy a supercharger I'd go ahead and buy a good block and be done with it. Nothing worse than buying good internals and shitting them out the bottom because of a broke block.