[under construction]

Originally Posted by baine21225 1 347 will give you more power/power potential at a (semi) marginally more expensive price.

is there a point when going with a big bore kit for a 302 where i'll run into reliability issues? i'm going to want a stone cold reliable power plant and like mentioned, i don't imagine going to a 347 is going to cost much more than a 306 or 331 so why not go with the biggest available? LOTS to think about!!

[M L Struck]

347 is very reliable and can make some good power,I have logged thousands of miles on my 347 (over 40k running the hell out of it) it came in at around 440 hp.

[under construction]

i LIKE the sound of that!!

the other thing that hit me over the weekend is that since i have an '87 that means i have a speed density system correct? will i need to change that over to a mass air system?

i will also have to pass smog. is that something a stroked motor is capable of doing?

[M L Struck]

yes you will have to switch over to mass air. I'm sure it's possible to pass the sniffer but you have to ask some other guys that have to pass it.

[under construction]

thanx for the info.

[baine21225]

I'm clueless when it relates to smog, and the stroker kits can be just as reliable as the stockers

[flyin ryan]

My advise is to leave it stock if you want it reliable.

[fs308]

Originally Posted by M L Struck yes you will have to switch over to mass air. I'm sure it's possible to pass the sniffer but you have to ask some other guys that have to pass it.

it was mainly depend on the cam. for a performance stroker and to pass the snuffer to me that would be custom cam territory. After reading this thread the OP just needs to have his engine rebuilt with a 306. i would just get some of those Keith black flat tops pistons they are like 200 bucks for a set of 8 and would bump the compression to a solid 10:1 and then track some gt40 heads down for another simple addition to power. DONT FORGET TO UPGRADE the valve springs. horsepower can be found in them

[M L Struck]

Originally Posted by fs308 it was mainly depend on the cam. for a performance stroker and to pass the snuffer to me that would be custom cam territory. After reading this thread the OP just needs to have his engine rebuilt with a 306. i would just get some of those Keith black flat tops pistons they are like 200 bucks for a set of 8 and would bump the compression to a solid 10:1 and then track some gt40 heads down for another simple addition to power. DONT FORGET TO UPGRADE the valve springs. horsepower can be found in them

Thats some good advise

[under construction]

i very much appreciate all of the advice.

fs308, you mention building out a 306. by going that route, does that eliminate other issues i would have by going with a larger stroker? if i go with a stroker, will that require different heads, cams, intakes, cranks, etc? i was really trying to stay away from that. is there the possibility that i'll be able to keep the block as a 302 and just replace the pistons and any/all bearings, and the valve springs? i promised my "accountant" that i'd keep the project under control but i'm getting start struck by looking at 400+ hp stroked motors. i'm really more interested in keeping the build very normal (maybe with some quality bolt ons) but putting it back together with quality pieces and done the right way.

[under construction]

Originally Posted by flyin ryan My advise is to leave it stock if you want it reliable.

you must be related to my wife she tells me the same thing.

[under construction]

here's another question. i have the opportunity to pick up a trick flow upper/lower for about $250. if i decide to go the route of a stroker motor, will the intakes still work or will it require a different set of intakes??

[88-gt-t-top]

as long as your staying with a 302block the intake will/should work just fine. depending on which stroker you decide make sure you're not buying the street manifold, be sure it's the R series

[baine21225]

There is nothing wrong with the street series, and as far as heads, cam, intake go it will all fit as long its a 302 block (a 331 or 347 is still a 302 block)

[under construction]

great! thanx for the quick reply.

[fs308]

Originally Posted by under construction i very much appreciate all of the advice. fs308, you mention building out a 306. by going that route, does that eliminate other issues i would have by going with a larger stroker? if i go with a stroker, will that require different heads, cams, intakes, cranks, etc? i was really trying to stay away from that. is there the possibility that i'll be able to keep the block as a 302 and just replace the pistons and any/all bearings, and the valve springs? i promised my "accountant" that i'd keep the project under control but i'm getting start struck by looking at 400+ hp stroked motors. i'm really more interested in keeping the build very normal (maybe with some quality bolt ons) but putting it back together with quality pieces and done the right way.

just based off what your saying i would stick with a stout 306. go with the pistons i mentioned earlier. some of the new trick flow FAC heads a custom cam and a nice holley or trickflow track heat intake. should make a solid 350rwho and be a nice reliable motor

[under construction]

350 rwhp, that would be nice! just out of curiosity what does a stock 302 put out at the rear wheels? i know it's rated at 225hp, but is that at the flywheel or rw?

[under construction]

pulled off a couple more pieces last night. got the fan, fan shroud, belt and cold air intake off. then i got dark. little by little the engine bay is getting emptier and emptier. next i'll drain the engine oil and start pulling the accessories off of the front. pretty soon i'll be able to stand in the engine bay next to the block the mrs. came home last night and saw the pieces on the ground in front of the car. she asked, "how are you going to remember how to put all of this stuff back on?" my response, "i don't know, i'll worry about that when the time comes to start putting them back on ". she just shook her head and walked away, laughing of course.

[fs308]

Originally Posted by under construction 350 rwhp, that would be nice! just out of curiosity what does a stock 302 put out at the rear wheels? i know it's rated at 225hp, but is that at the flywheel or rw?

190-200

[fs308]

Originally Posted by under construction pulled off a couple more pieces last night. got the fan, fan shroud, belt and cold air intake off. then i got dark. little by little the engine bay is getting emptier and emptier. next i'll drain the engine oil and start pulling the accessories off of the front. pretty soon i'll be able to stand in the engine bay next to the block the mrs. came home last night and saw the pieces on the ground in front of the car. she asked, "how are you going to remember how to put all of this stuff back on?" my response, "i don't know, i'll worry about that when the time comes to start putting them back on ". she just shook her head and walked away, laughing of course.

what i did with my car was got a box of plastic bags. everything that i took off the car i put the bolts to it in the bags and labeled the bags that way when i start assembling i have all of the pieces.