351W VS 302

[stevesLX]

If you look in my signature you will see my current set up that I have right now. Would I benefit to go to a early 70's 351W bored 0.40 over short block and throw all my stuff on there from my current 302 set up or will I lose power and torque and be wasting my time? I need some advise on this. I obviously dont know the first thing about 351's.

 

[NIKwoaC]

There is no replacement for displacement, my friend. The top end you have now won't feed a poked 351 very well, but you'll see performance gains from the increase in displacement alone. Keep in mind you'll need a 351 lower intake, because the 302 and 351 have different deck heights, thus different size lowers. Also, the cylinder head bolts on 351Ws are fatter, so you'll need to drill out the holes on 302 heads.

Aside from parts fitment, the 351 is taller, so using a cowl hood or "drop mounts" are necessary.

 

[fords2fast4u]

you should see some gains from a new 351, but i would think that you would see just as much for less money with some new heads. the swap to a 351 would cost you some money up front, but give you more to build on later (more potential) but some nice alum heads would cost you about the same and give you more power now. just my $0.02.

unless you can find a deal on a block, assembly, headers, pan and lower intake (and you'll need heads with bigger bolt holes anyways), then I would say just find a nice set of RPM heads or something.