Daily driven '83 Bronco 4x4 needs more power

Nitrous Al · 02-22-2001, 06:51 PM

I have a '83 Bronco 4x4 that needs more power. All of my money has gone into my 11 sec Vortech S-trim '88 GT and now I need to work on the 4x4. It's got a 2bbl. 302 sitting on a Dana 44, stock C6 with an 8.8" 3.55:1 rearend and 31" BFG TKO tires, no emissions test needed for the 302. How should I go about making more power with the 302? Keep in mind it's daily driven, I want to keep the 302 and will pull an 5,000 lb trailer (loaded with my GT) on the weekends during race season.

----------------
Nitrous Al
'88 Mustang GT
'83 Bronco 4x4

02-28-2001, 01:49 AM

you may want to go to a larger exhaust like single 2 1/2" mandrel bent, maybe minus catalytic converter and smog pump, low rise dual plane intake manifold, 600cfm vacuum secondary 4BBL carburetor, free flowing air cleaner/filter, headers, 180* thermostat, maybe even roller rockers if you have the money, synthetic gear/trans fluid, you may also want to get a trans cooler if you're towing, and 4.11+ gears will make a huge difference in towing and feel. just a few ideas,
Good luck!

Nitrous Al · 03-01-2001, 10:17 PM

Thanks '84stang, I already ditched the cat and smog pump. I'm going to check the compression in each cylinder before I get serious. The Bronco is running great. I beat a '93-94 Honda Prelude with the coffee can exhaust tip and a "Top Fuel Dragster" wing by half a car length, the other night in a stoplight to stoplight drag race.
Imports suck, Long live the 5.0!

-----------------
Nitrous Al
'88 Mustang GT
'83 Bronco 4x4

vkaro45 · 03-01-2001, 10:19 PM

Just a thought but I've had several Broncos over the years. My '81 w/302 was disappointing. If you're looking for more power, especially for towing, look to upgrade to a 351w. I did in the '81 and it made a world of difference. Gas mileage stayed about the same. I also had a '85 F-150 2wd short box w/302. It was disappointing too. My '79 had a 351m that was better than the 302 but still lacking.

All the normal mods for the 302 will work, look for a cam geared for torque and the mods 84stang mentioned. Still, 5,000 lbs will work a 302 pretty hard. Just a thought.

Oh yeah, I now tow with an F-250 4x4 w/460. Works great but at 9-10 mpg, not much of a daily driver!

------------------
'89 GT work in progress
'66 289 coupe even more work

Nitrous Al · 03-03-2001, 10:08 AM

vkaro45, I love the 302, but a 351 might be the answer.

moosejaw · 03-06-2001, 03:10 AM

Well you know all those spare parts from the '88 can go on the Bronco. You know heads, valve train, EFI stuff(if you convert it). The limits are endless.

If the bottom is healthy you go with a head/intake/cam/carb combo. Throw in some decent shortie (or long tube) headers. Stay with a mild RV cam, dual plane intake, and ~600cfm carb vacuum secondaries. This would be good manifold vacuum and decent fuel economy (well, for a C6).

This really is something you could do on a long weekend. The question is .... once you start on it would you be able to stop.

Mike

------------------
Live near St.Louis?
Check out Mustang Muscle and Dyno in High Ridge, MO
Check out my ride.

02-22-2001, 06:51 PM	#1
Nitrous Al Registered Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Everett, MA Posts: 417	Daily driven '83 Bronco 4x4 needs more power I have a '83 Bronco 4x4 that needs more power. All of my money has gone into my 11 sec Vortech S-trim '88 GT and now I need to work on the 4x4. It's got a 2bbl. 302 sitting on a Dana 44, stock C6 with an 8.8" 3.55:1 rearend and 31" BFG TKO tires, no emissions test needed for the 302. How should I go about making more power with the 302? Keep in mind it's daily driven, I want to keep the 302 and will pull an 5,000 lb trailer (loaded with my GT) on the weekends during race season. ---------------- Nitrous Al '88 Mustang GT '83 Bronco 4x4

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02-28-2001, 01:49 AM	#2
84stang83zephyr Guest Posts: n/a	you may want to go to a larger exhaust like single 2 1/2" mandrel bent, maybe minus catalytic converter and smog pump, low rise dual plane intake manifold, 600cfm vacuum secondary 4BBL carburetor, free flowing air cleaner/filter, headers, 180* thermostat, maybe even roller rockers if you have the money, synthetic gear/trans fluid, you may also want to get a trans cooler if you're towing, and 4.11+ gears will make a huge difference in towing and feel. just a few ideas, Good luck!

03-01-2001, 10:17 PM	#3
Nitrous Al Registered Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Everett, MA Posts: 417	Thanks '84stang, I already ditched the cat and smog pump. I'm going to check the compression in each cylinder before I get serious. The Bronco is running great. I beat a '93-94 Honda Prelude with the coffee can exhaust tip and a "Top Fuel Dragster" wing by half a car length, the other night in a stoplight to stoplight drag race. Imports suck, Long live the 5.0! ----------------- Nitrous Al '88 Mustang GT '83 Bronco 4x4

03-01-2001, 10:19 PM	#4
vkaro45 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Stafford, VA Posts: 54	Just a thought but I've had several Broncos over the years. My '81 w/302 was disappointing. If you're looking for more power, especially for towing, look to upgrade to a 351w. I did in the '81 and it made a world of difference. Gas mileage stayed about the same. I also had a '85 F-150 2wd short box w/302. It was disappointing too. My '79 had a 351m that was better than the 302 but still lacking. All the normal mods for the 302 will work, look for a cam geared for torque and the mods 84stang mentioned. Still, 5,000 lbs will work a 302 pretty hard. Just a thought. Oh yeah, I now tow with an F-250 4x4 w/460. Works great but at 9-10 mpg, not much of a daily driver! ------------------ '89 GT work in progress '66 289 coupe even more work

03-03-2001, 10:08 AM	#5
Nitrous Al Registered Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Everett, MA Posts: 417	vkaro45, I love the 302, but a 351 might be the answer.

03-06-2001, 03:10 AM	#6
moosejaw Registered Member Join Date: Apr 1999 Location: St.Louis,MO Posts: 274	Well you know all those spare parts from the '88 can go on the Bronco. You know heads, valve train, EFI stuff(if you convert it). The limits are endless. If the bottom is healthy you go with a head/intake/cam/carb combo. Throw in some decent shortie (or long tube) headers. Stay with a mild RV cam, dual plane intake, and ~600cfm carb vacuum secondaries. This would be good manifold vacuum and decent fuel economy (well, for a C6). This really is something you could do on a long weekend. The question is .... once you start on it would you be able to stop. Mike ------------------ Live near St.Louis? Check out Mustang Muscle and Dyno in High Ridge, MO Check out my ride.