Hello all. My dad and I are getting ready to rebuild an engine this summer for my bronco. It's a 1995 with; maf 302, ODB1, E4OD. My question is whether I should build a 351 or a 302. I am looking to achieve at least 300 crank hp. my budget is around I $3000. I live in minnesota and emissions are not a concern of mine and I have already done a smog pump delete. My truck is only a project truck and I am slowly trying to build a prerunner type build. I was planning on doing new pistons and rings but most likely to stock specs. My plan to get there was to get gt40 heads with mildish cam, porting my stock intake, 24lb injectors, and headers. I am looking for any advice in making decisions on what parts to choose. I do not plan on going carbureted and would be open to getting an aftermarket ECU or fuel delivery system. Both my dad and I are mechanics and plan on doing everything ourselves other than machining. My initial question is what block to start with.
5.8
I have a 1993 bronco with a 5.8 and the motor has 170k miles on it and ran fine. The motor is still in the truck meaning I would have to pull it. It has the F4TE casting number meaning that the block is roller ready, But from my understanding this would mean I would have to tap holes to accept a spider and I have not pulled the intake to verify that it doesn’t already have a roller cam in it. I have read online that the 5.8 has beefier crankshaft caps meaning it can easily handle more power. The cons with this path are that this truck is NOT MAF and I've read online that is very desirable and I would have to get a 5.8 MAF ECU and MAF sensor and circuit from somewhere else. Also I would have to either have the holes in the GT40 heads enlarged to accept the larger 9/16's 5.8 head bolts or use a smaller bolt with a shim.
5.0
Like I said above my truck has a stock MAF 5.0 in it right now and I also have a 93 and 95 5.0 laying around (just the motors). I have read online that the 90's truck have the best stock intakes and can be ported at home to be pretty decent. Also if I were to go this route I would not have to worry about a roller cam as all the engines already have them and the head bolt sizes would match with GT40 heads. Also the truck already has the MAF system in it for a 5.0 so I wouldn't need to do anything there. I have read online that many people have pushed 400+ hp on stock 302 lower ends without much issue.
I plan on keeping the engine for a while and this is a somewhat budget build. I also am wondering if anyone has any advice on doing a similar swap or what they would personally choose. The 302 sounds like it would be a little more straightforward of a build but if the 351 is truly better I am open to the work. Also If anyone has any other head recommendations over the GT40 I am open to suggestions on anything not to crazy expensive.
Thanks to all in advance.
5.8
I have a 1993 bronco with a 5.8 and the motor has 170k miles on it and ran fine. The motor is still in the truck meaning I would have to pull it. It has the F4TE casting number meaning that the block is roller ready, But from my understanding this would mean I would have to tap holes to accept a spider and I have not pulled the intake to verify that it doesn’t already have a roller cam in it. I have read online that the 5.8 has beefier crankshaft caps meaning it can easily handle more power. The cons with this path are that this truck is NOT MAF and I've read online that is very desirable and I would have to get a 5.8 MAF ECU and MAF sensor and circuit from somewhere else. Also I would have to either have the holes in the GT40 heads enlarged to accept the larger 9/16's 5.8 head bolts or use a smaller bolt with a shim.
5.0
Like I said above my truck has a stock MAF 5.0 in it right now and I also have a 93 and 95 5.0 laying around (just the motors). I have read online that the 90's truck have the best stock intakes and can be ported at home to be pretty decent. Also if I were to go this route I would not have to worry about a roller cam as all the engines already have them and the head bolt sizes would match with GT40 heads. Also the truck already has the MAF system in it for a 5.0 so I wouldn't need to do anything there. I have read online that many people have pushed 400+ hp on stock 302 lower ends without much issue.
I plan on keeping the engine for a while and this is a somewhat budget build. I also am wondering if anyone has any advice on doing a similar swap or what they would personally choose. The 302 sounds like it would be a little more straightforward of a build but if the 351 is truly better I am open to the work. Also If anyone has any other head recommendations over the GT40 I am open to suggestions on anything not to crazy expensive.
Thanks to all in advance.