making my car a 347 or keep 302 how muhc $$ would it be

[83countrysquire]

ok guys i was thinking about things and i wondered how much it would cost me to make my 302 a 347 engine out (i would take it out) and bring it to a shop for them to do maybe even stroke it

[Grand Marquis GT]

I am starting to think you would be better off finding an exploder motor, slapping a carb and headers on it, and GO.

[DuceAnAHalf]

You can get a cast 347 assembly for around $800, you will have to have your block bored .030" over. Also have to have the rotating assembly balanced, about $400 in machine work.

[83countrysquire]

i m tihnking aobut it grandmarquis GT trust me i mtesting every option availbe to me i even thought about a blower or a super charger

[N A]

Is your limit still $1000? Just find a good running 351W motor out of a truck or van.

[83countrysquire]

well ifi was gong to go super charger my budget would go to 3000
(elimnate cool sound equment)

[87mefull]

Are you trying to make this car into or into a good cruiser with some power behind it? I'm still not sure what your planning on doing, if its more for cruising stay simple and cheap with the drivetrain.

A supercharger or a blower takes some serious tuning and $$$$. It not just bolt on and go, unlike what some automotive shows and magazines may portray. Not only is the supercharger kit itself in the $2000 range, you need to run a good fuel and ignition system able to withstand it, which isn't cheap either. I would also recommend a good complete cooling system and an intercooler unless you are only going to run a small amount of boost. Although it may be fun, a used stock HO or 351 will not last long under boost unless you run a small amount of boost and are very careful. A rebuilt HO motor might hold up since it has forged pistons but I would think a set of well-ported e7's or GT40's would be required along with a cam with more lift and duration. An sefi HO motor with a supercharger may need a reflashed ecm along with much larger injectors, electronic boost controller, high flowing fuel system, etc. The list goes on and its probably going to be more of an hassle than its worth, definitely not something to try if you don't have experience with it.

Your not looking at the big picture either, going fast and having alot of horsepower is one thing, but being able to control your car and stop with it is another. This is something I would immediately factor into your budget right along side the engine, save time for the sound system once the basics are right. Stiffer springs, good shocks, new front and rear end bushings, sway bars, big brakes, rear disc brakes, etc. The 23 year old stock shit isn't going to cut it, its barely good enough for a stock car since it was only designed for a smooth ride, not performance. I've seen plenty of people dump a ton of money into a motor and tranny while neglecting the safety and handling basics.

GMGT probably has laid it down best and I would do the exact same thing if I owned your car. An explorer engine is generally going to have low mileage, comes with a great cam (better than the stock HO for low end torque), good heads, etc. Sell the EFI equipment off of it, its worth a decent amount of money on ebay. Its probably going to be more of a hassle than its worth trying to convert your car to sefi, CFI uses a different wiring harness, computer, fuel system, etc. CFI to carb is much easier and there have been plenty of swaps done on this website. Buy a good carb and intake, custom headers (gt40 headers are different), decent mechanical fuel pump, ignition, tune it and go. How's the tranny though, is it a stock AOD? If it is but has been rebuilt, I would look into a shift kit, a decent external cooler, and a higher stall convertor.

Who cares about emissions, your car is 23 years old. Unless the emissions standards in your state are radically different from PA, your car has to be 25 years or older to be excempt. Get an emissions waiver for the two years it still needs to be tested for it rather than spending more money and time trying to buildup a motor/drivetrain that will pass.

[89LincolnTWNcar]

I think you should go for something bigger than a 302, like a 347 or a 351W. I have an HO converted towncar and it definately not fast enough for me. It's the weight as we all know that slows the panthers down. I know of guys (with 5.0 mustangs) running 8psi of boost with a single turbo on well-used stock HO motors and they have no problems and it isn't terribly expensive to get a more powerful fuel pump and some 24 or 36 lb injectors off a stang, and you can up the fuel pressure with a FPR from Holley or wherever. Stock ignition with a few tweaks (new coil and ignition wires etc) is adequate to around 400hp. Keeping the suspension and brakes up with the power is also a must. I'd say if you get a used mustang block, and integrate a small turbo into it, that would cost around $1000 bones if you do the work yourself.

[N A]

A supercharger will run you just under $3000. If your motor is tired, it's only going to get worse. Stay naturally aspirated and spend the $3000 on a nice, healthy 351W motor. Install it, have it tuned and go out and play. You'll have more power than you have right now and you don't have to worry about anything.

[89LincolnTWNcar]

how easy is it to get a 351W up to 400 horsepower?? I really haven't heard much talk of high power 351w's

[DuceAnAHalf]

how easy is it to get a 351W up to 400 horsepower?? I really haven't heard much talk of high power 351w's

pretty much every competitive car in NMRA classes that allow them are dominated by 351 based cars. A guy i know had a fox Mustang with a 414W, all motor put down about 650 Hp the the wheels. You can take a 396, with a set of decent heads and easilly get 400+ out of it. With my AFRs im shooting for a little over 400 at the crank. with spray it will be 500+ Plus t those levels a 302 is a time bomb, a windsor is normally good to around 700RWHP

[N A]

how easy is it to get a 351W up to 400 horsepower?? I really haven't heard much talk of high power 351w's

Who said "400 horsepower"? When did "400 horsepower" enter this thread? That is a huge number. Open up your wallet.

[89LincolnTWNcar]

400 is necessary for these 2 ton beasts if you want something that will GO. sure if he wants a DD go no more than 300.

[N A]

He would be happy with 220-250 rwhp. I bet his motor now won't break the 120 rwhp mark on a chassis dyno.

[mrltd]

I was quite happy with 200 well used HP....shit.. I was pretty content with the modded lopo and other work I did to the 87....