SBC 350 > < Ford 302 swap talk welcome here.

[le_ryan]

It seems as though both have been done here on nico, lets talk about each and see what the positive and negatives are for each.

To me, it seems as though the 302 would be a good start since the oil pan is a front sump, to help with the sub frame clearance, the distributor is in the front, to help with setting the motor further back, and the engine its self is a smaller fit.

The 350 seems to make more power, Of course having more cubic inches would explain that. but at the same time would be a tighter fit.

both have pretty good parts availability, and both make easy power.

[OutToWinPAHC]

Well they are both great motors with a lot of potential. I prefer the chevy because I know them better. I would say put what you really want into your car. Weather is a For 302, 347, 351, Chevy 283, 305, 307, 327, 347, 350, 400. The rear distributor on the Chevy does get in the way, its another reason I went with an LSX motor. But theres ways to make it work.

Oh an as far as ALL Gen 1 c=Chevy small block... They are the same size weather is a 283 or a 400. The bore and stoke is what is different, but the blocks are the same in size. I would say a Gen 1 small block 350 with a 4 bolt main, or a Ford 347 stroker.

[le_ryan]

My cousin has a 350 built up with a stage III turbo transmission tht he's gonna drop into our track car, i wanna see how well this works out and make my decision based off that.

[sctrep]

Ive gotta say, i just droped a 90 302efi into my 240sx. with the transmission still attached and it is amazing how well it fits. by the way how many ford efi's have you seen or heard about in a 240sx. im gonna post some pics hopefully soon. and a vid or two when shes done.

[KATwo40]

ive gotta say, i just droped a 90 302efi into my 240sx. with the transmission still attached and it is amazing how well it fits. by the way how many ford efi's have you seen or heard about in a 240sx. im gonna post some pics hopefully soon. and a vid or two when shes done.

Which transmission did you use? If the T5, how did you deal with the shifter being forward of the OEM shifter hole?

Thanks!

[sctrep]

Im actually going with a jasper metric (auto) for now.

[WDRacing]

I have researched quite a bit into bother setups. I'm not partial as far as bran loyalty goes anymore. Thats a battle only dumb people have. I'll list what I feel are the goods and bads of both.

The 302's are damn near free. They are all basically compatible from 86-93 if you want EFI. They have been turbocharged a lot more then the SBC has, in both carb and efi. The 347 stroker/rebuild kit is $1400 give or take a few bucks. It's a very narrow motor and will fit in anything from the Miata to the 240 and do so easily.

The SBC is also very numerous and cheap. Almost everything swaps back and forth. Chevy used the gay TBI for a long time though...that just sucks. The TPI was in the Camaro's after 91 IIRC..I dunno. The SBC is only decent in 5.7 or bigger form IMO. The 305 is worthless, heavy and slow = gay. The 5.7 can be stroked to 383 for $1200 give or take. So the SBC can definitely be made to make more power in NA form for quite a bit cheaper.

As for problems, the Ford uses 2 bolt mains and the block cracks right down the middle. It'll hold roughly 450 ftlbs reliably, but more then that and the block is apt to unass itself. There are some blocks that do not have this issue, I'm looking into that right now as a matter of fact.

Chevy intake manifold options suck, the dizzy is in the back and the oil pan is rear sump. As far as the motor and internals go...its far better then the 302.

The main thing that sways my opinion is the fitment of FI. Which goes to the 302 for sure. Just flip a set of Summit headers and weld on a pair of T3 flanges and you're done.

WD

[Agent 47]

Mount information please. Who did them and please say they will go into production. My dad have a 331 kit that I'm dying to get my hands on.

[tomkun-s13]

If you go with a 5.0 swap you can buy a valley girdle guard and a a lower main girdle and the 5.0 will not split and you can rev it to 7500rpm safely. check this site out http://www.horsepowersales.net/ hope it helps.

[cnichols]

If you go with a 5.0 swap you can buy a valley girdle guard and a a lower main girdle and the 5.0 will not split and you can rev it to 7500rpm safely. check this site out http://www.horsepowersales.net/ hope it helps.

I'm sure it helps, but I've still seen them split with both girdles. Best bet for high horsepower is an aftermarket block.

[WDRacing]

I'm sure it helps, but I've still seen them split with both girdles. Best bet for high horsepower is an aftermarket block.

I was gonna say the exact same thing bro.

[tomkun-s13]

Well I've seen first hand the motors last a hell of a long time with these parts. Whats the big deal about the frpp cast iron 5.0 blocks. Its just a ford exploder block that has all the casting flash removed from the block because the the numbers on the blocks are the same. if you are going to pay for a frpp block just take your own block to the shop and have it polished and flash removed and run 500hp very safely and set your rpm limit to 7200 if you want to be safe.

[le_ryan]

this is good stuff guys, I just scored a 302 free !cnichols - LOVE your car man, it sounded GREAT.

[cnichols]

Well I've seen first hand the motors last a hell of a long time with these parts. Whats the big deal about the frpp cast iron 5.0 blocks. Its just a ford exploder block that has all the casting flash removed from the block because the the numbers on the blocks are the same. if you are going to pay for a frpp block just take your own block to the shop and have it polished and flash removed and run 500hp very safely and set your rpm limit to 7200 if you want to be safe.

I was talking more along the lines of a 4 bolt main block such as the R302, Dart, or World one. I wouldn't worry with any of those.

Vroom...thanks man! Hopefully I'll be out drifting next MM.

[tomkun-s13]

cool congrats on the free block. I'm building a 289 block out of a 68' ranchero myself. The only differents are the rod lengths fro 302 to 289. we will see what happens if I get to finish it. I'll be talking with my friends that race in the NMRA and pro 5.0 classes to get everything I need, I hope, lol. But again congrats on the free find, got to love that price!

I was talking more along the lines of a 4 bolt main block such as the R302, Dart, or World one. I wouldn't worry with any of those.

Vroom...thanks man! Hopefully I'll be out drifting next MM.

[WDRacing]

I was actually making reference in the +500 range. The stock block is great at 450 and under, the girdles will probably insure 500 all day. But for me a set of turbo's and alcohol would be involved. The SBC blocks never crack...

I also wouldn't mind finding a MK VIII thats been wrecked, they came with the all aluminum 4.6. A tad wide, but they have been known to make over 800 to the wheels on factory internals.

WD

[Davidss]

Which transmission did you use? If the T5, how did you deal with the shifter being forward of the OEM shifter hole?

Which T5 has the shifter forward of the OEM hole? The chevy/ford t5's shters are in different spots...

The rear distributor on the Chevy does get in the way, its another reason I went with an LSX motor. But theres ways to make it work.

Unless you want to mount the transmission so far back that you can't unbolt it from the engine with out taking the engine out the distributor isn't really a problem...

[twinbratz]

Just got a 87 5.0 for my s13. Was thinking about sr20 swap and just can't afford to go that route. My old KA with the biiiggg hole in the block is not out of the car yet so I have not been able to test fit the 5.0. What kind of headers are you using? What kind of oil pan? My 5.0 has the Mustang pan but I think I will need the old style front sump pan. Was also thinking of going carb so I have less wiring to do. Did not get the harness or ecu with the motor.

[sidewards]

Which transmission did you use? If the T5, how did you deal with the shifter being forward of the OEM shifter hole?

Thanks!

The tail section between gm(longer) and ford T5's can be swapped. You have to use the gm mainshaft though and world class and non world class stuff can't be interchanged. Check out some merkur forums, they do the swap. A freind of mine wrecked his 96 4.6L mustang and I've been getting ideas.

[WWJD]

as far as I know it's cheaper now a day to build a ford motor over a chevy. I have also seen more parts avalible for ford (from looken' @ my summit cad.)