Low-cost, high-torque 302

[BobAsh]

A friend has 302 from burned-down CrownVic that we want to liven up a bit. As the EFI is toast and it doesn't have to be emission compliant, we're probably going with carb. He doesn't want a high-RPM screamer, he's more interested in torque.

I suggested usual Edelbrock Performer cam/intake manifold/carb combo - is there anything better out there? We would like to avoid swapping heads, and certainly want stock rotating assembly. Will there be a significant power/torque gain from the Edelbrock stuff? Or is it necessary to swap heads for any reasonable performance?

We have limited budget and parts are quite expensive around here (Czech Republic) - especially anything heavy, due to shipping. And so are engines, so finding a 5.0 HO is not an option.

Any ideas? Thanks a lot!

[johnunit]

You'll get a little extra power from the bigger cam, intake, and carb. But, if the cam is still a "torque" cam, you're talking under 200hp at the crankshaft. You really, really need to do something about the heads to get performance. They're super restrictive and have no compression.


Honestly though, if he really is just looking for torque (what is he using it for? I find a lot of people SAY they want torque, but don't realize that's just a way to build a slow engine unless they're increasing displacement), he won't do much better than stock parts. Stay with a stock cam, and add the intake and carb. These engines were already made for making gobs of torque from the factory, so unless you add displacement you're not going to build much more torque than a fresh set of stock parts.


For 1100 bucks extra (here, so who knows to ship it there) he could add some Trick Flow or AFR heads and have something with the same torque but at least 50 more horsepower than stock. It'd still not be a high-rpm screamer, but would rev higher than stock. If he didn't wanna rev it high, he'd still have more HP at the stock shift points and would save 50+ pounds of weight too.

[turbo2256b]

The performer and cam with a small carb will improve performance with the stock heads. Some E7 heads could be installed if found. The bigger trick flow or AFR would reduce low end and actualy with a performer intake not realy produce much more power if any as the performer intake would limit there increased air flow. The E7 heads are not all that unported they flow less than most the older 289/302 heads stock.

[zoomie]

plenty of ideads, but what exactly is this engine going in? what are the goals?

[90ltd]

From my experience the biggest increase in output will be from free flowing exhaust. My coupe has straight H pipes with no bends after cats and no mufflers. Now I can do donuts on dry pavement even with crappy 3.08 gears whereas it didn't have enough guts to do so with stock single.

[90ltd]

Another things are: ditch a/c and air pump convert to 3g alternator and put electric fan in.

[88Vic]

If you can find an Explorer 302, that's pretty much what you're looking for, low end torque with more top end than a Crown Vic 302. The main restriction on the Explorer 302 is the exhaust, so headers and 2.5" duals or 3" single depending on the application will be a big improvement. If you want to, look for used 5.0 HO manifolds if any are available and have catless downpipes made and run 2.25" duals with performance mufflers, that'll help.

[johnreid]

Yes what they said or put a larger motor in 351 is good choice.I have a friend who got hold of a chevy corvette engine and with a whole lot of trouble installed it and let me just say his 1991 Ford crown victoria is very fast if it had wings it would fly.I have driven it and man o man it really run's AWESOME!!!!

[Lincolnmania]

a magnum 318 in a box would be pretty cool

[sly]

those 318 V8's are pretty dang tough. I wouldn't frown too hard on that.