Hello all, Im trying to decide between building my 302 up or swapping out for a 351 roller and building that up. I was hoping to get multiple suggestions and reasons for what is better and why? Im taking out the engine and tranny regardless, So I can either rebuild 302 or put in the 351. And also I will be rebuilding the Aod to withstand more HP... It is a weekend street car. Mostly in garage. I would appreciate your opinions greatly.
the 351 block will give you a good starting number over the 302's. I would personally build up the 302 just to save some weight. it all depends what you're looking for really. that 351 will have some serious torque and will roast tires pretty easily so it may be harder to get that power down. the 302 will be a little more manageable.
I KINDA AGREE WITH ANOTHERSTANGFAN, IT ALL DEPENDS ON WHAT YOU REALLY WANT. PERSONALLY I WOULD GO WITH A 351W, IF I COULD DO IT OVER AGAIN. IF YOUR NOT GONNA USE THE 351W BLOCK FOR THE EXTRA HP IT WILL HOLD, THEN DON'T BOTHER. BUT IF YOU WERE GONNA GO FOR 500HP OR MORE THEN I WOULD GO WITH THE 351W. IF YOU ASK PEOPLE HOW MUCH POWER THE ROLLER 302 BLOCK WILL HOLD YOU'LL HEAR ANYTHING FROM 400HP TO EVEN OVER 500HP. I DONT THINK I'D EVER GO AROUND THE 500HP MARK. IT WOULD BE MUCH SAFER DOING THAT WITH THE 351W. I'M SURE THERE'S PEOPLE MAKING THIS KIND OF POWER OUT OF THE FACTORY 302ROLLER AND HAS PROBABLY HAD THE ENGINE FOR MANY YEARS WITH NO PROBLEMS, BUT I WOULD FEEL MUCH SAFER WITH THE 351W BLOCK. ESPECIALLY SINCE MAKING THAT KIND OF POWER ISN'T CHEAP AND I DONT HAVE THAT MUCH MONEY.
Im going to go ahead with getting the 351w. So now the plan will be to get it and rebuild it and put it in before spring. And getting it back on the street. Its been in garage for over 2 months.
