Ford 302Ci Windsor Engine

[ibroker]

I am looking to buy my first Cobra and would like a little help with engines


Theres one for sale on here with the above listed engine. BHP is a factor to me and this is stated at 350 BHP. How realistic are these figures. Is there one engine that is "the one" that I should be looking for. How tunable is a 302ci and what would it cost to make 400bhp at the dyno.

Any input would br greatly appreciated. That also includes any input on the car concerned as Im sure that some of you have seen it in the flesh.

Many thanks

[Martyn-ak427]

Hi,

The 302 in general is a good engine with 350 flywheel HP easily achievable - 400 FWHP requires more investment such as better flowing heads, bigger cam etc, etc however HP is a function of £££ so virtually anything is possible. Not wanting to teach you to suck eggs but dont get too hung up on HP figures, (as the quote goes - "BHP sells cars, torque wins races"). You could achieve a peak output of 550 - 600hp with a fully loaded 302 with a very aggresive cam but it would be completely undrivable on the street so you need to consider what your requirements are & then look at all the aspects of the engine/car you intend to buy. There are a number of guys on this site who run 302's so hopefully they will respond to your post, additionally it may be worth checking on one of the stateside 302 forums for additional info.

Regards,
Martyn

[wilf]

Go for a 351 if you can.

Not only are you gaining nearly a litre and some easy BHP, but you are losing little other then a small amount of additional weight and an inch of block height. Just as much kit out there to tune a 351 as a 302, plus you have the option of stroking it out to 408 or more, for much the same cost as a standard bottom end rebuild kit.
The extra capacity comes from lengthening the stroke, so more torque available.

The 302 gets used a lot in the US, often in FFR cars, as it was the Ford engine with std EFI, needed in some states for emissions regs.

If this were my choice, the 351 would get my vote without a doubt.

[craigh]

try to get hold of the engine spec,it would be easier to determine your next move,it may already have some decent flowing heads but stroking it is an option though

[tonym]

Originally Posted by fastco

IMO 90% of of adveritzed dyno #'s are well fudged / victious or commonly refered as bar stool dyno #

including yours Daryl??