Suggestions

7SecYaRight · 02-03-2004, 03:35 AM

OK, well, i baught a 4 banger today because it was too good of a deal to pass up. Now, my question is, should i go with the EFI 302 or since i have to change everything anyway, should i just go bigger with the 351?
I heard that when you do swaps that the check engine light comes on, is there a way to stop that? I was thinking of getting a wiring harness from Painless and running a "Stand alone" engine management with the A9L computer. Since the painless harness is just the engine management, will that affect anything?? like my gauges or warngin lights?
Also, I will be driving this as my daily driver so i dont want to go with a carb. I really want to go EFI, i just dont know if the 302 would be a better option(eas of install) over the 351(possibly harder to install)
Anyway, any comments would be much appreciated.

302 LX Eric · 02-03-2004, 08:20 AM

This question (302 vs. 351 based engine) has come up several times over the past few months.

I hate to sound like a broken record, but in order for us to give you a solid opinion, we need to know what the car's intended use or purpose is. For example, daily driver, street machine, weekend warrior, all-out track only drag car, or somewhere in between.

It would be easy for me to say: Just drop in a 408 (stroked 351) w/ 11.5:1 compression and go have some fun, but that could be a bad combination depending upon the purpose of the car.

So, with that said, what are you looking for out of this car?

E

7SecYaRight · 02-03-2004, 11:45 AM

Im looking for a daily driver that i can auto-x on the weekend.

429mustang · 02-03-2004, 06:38 PM

I'd say go with an aluminum headed 331, it would be plenty fast and still pretty light.

7SecYaRight · 02-03-2004, 06:42 PM

People keep telling me that stroked engines burn out fast. Is that true???

429mustang · 02-03-2004, 07:11 PM

The only thing I've ever heard is the 347 had oil problems, but most companies have redesigned their piston/rod combo to fix that. The 331 is supposed to be a good setup, I don't kow for a fact cause I haven't built one yet but anytime the topic's come up the 331 seem to be the top choice. I'd look at D.S.S. motors/rotating assemblies, they seem to be one of the better engine/stroker companies.

7SecYaRight · 02-03-2004, 07:46 PM

ok, cool. Ill look into that. The reason i chose to do a 4 cylinder conversion is because the 4 cylinder cars havent been abused like the V8 cars. Im sure you can find V8's that havent had much abuse, but your also gonna pay top dollar for it. So, i decided to go with a body that hasnt had that kind of abuse.

7SecYaRight · 02-03-2004, 07:56 PM

Also, about the "check engine" light coming on with the V8 swaps. Is that true, and if so, how do i correct that?

7SecYaRight · 02-03-2004, 11:22 PM

also, is there any difference in the unibody of a 4 banger to a v8? if not, i will go ahead with it.

02-03-2004, 03:35 AM	#1
7SecYaRight Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 60	Suggestions OK, well, i baught a 4 banger today because it was too good of a deal to pass up. Now, my question is, should i go with the EFI 302 or since i have to change everything anyway, should i just go bigger with the 351? I heard that when you do swaps that the check engine light comes on, is there a way to stop that? I was thinking of getting a wiring harness from Painless and running a "Stand alone" engine management with the A9L computer. Since the painless harness is just the engine management, will that affect anything?? like my gauges or warngin lights? Also, I will be driving this as my daily driver so i dont want to go with a carb. I really want to go EFI, i just dont know if the 302 would be a better option(eas of install) over the 351(possibly harder to install) Anyway, any comments would be much appreciated.

02-03-2004, 08:20 AM	#2
302 LX Eric or '331 LX Eric' Join Date: Jan 1999 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 2,142	This question (302 vs. 351 based engine) has come up several times over the past few months. I hate to sound like a broken record, but in order for us to give you a solid opinion, we need to know what the car's intended use or purpose is. For example, daily driver, street machine, weekend warrior, all-out track only drag car, or somewhere in between. It would be easy for me to say: Just drop in a 408 (stroked 351) w/ 11.5:1 compression and go have some fun, but that could be a bad combination depending upon the purpose of the car. So, with that said, what are you looking for out of this car? E __________________ 1991 5.0 LX Coupe - 40,750 miles 331 cu. in. / Tremec 3550 / BFG Drag Radials 12.22 @ 114.31 mph - w/1.89 60'

02-03-2004, 06:38 PM	#4
429mustang Registered Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: westerville, OH USA Posts: 618	I'd say go with an aluminum headed 331, it would be plenty fast and still pretty light. __________________ 1990 Notchback: BBK Ceramic Coated Full length headers, Dr. Gas 3"- 2 1/2" x-pipe, Flowmaster 40's/turndowns.

02-03-2004, 07:11 PM	#6
429mustang Registered Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: westerville, OH USA Posts: 618	The only thing I've ever heard is the 347 had oil problems, but most companies have redesigned their piston/rod combo to fix that. The 331 is supposed to be a good setup, I don't kow for a fact cause I haven't built one yet but anytime the topic's come up the 331 seem to be the top choice. I'd look at D.S.S. motors/rotating assemblies, they seem to be one of the better engine/stroker companies. __________________ 1990 Notchback: BBK Ceramic Coated Full length headers, Dr. Gas 3"- 2 1/2" x-pipe, Flowmaster 40's/turndowns.

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02-03-2004, 11:45 AM	#3
7SecYaRight Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 60	Im looking for a daily driver that i can auto-x on the weekend.

02-03-2004, 06:42 PM	#5
7SecYaRight Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 60	People keep telling me that stroked engines burn out fast. Is that true???

02-03-2004, 07:46 PM	#7
7SecYaRight Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 60	ok, cool. Ill look into that. The reason i chose to do a 4 cylinder conversion is because the 4 cylinder cars havent been abused like the V8 cars. Im sure you can find V8's that havent had much abuse, but your also gonna pay top dollar for it. So, i decided to go with a body that hasnt had that kind of abuse.

02-03-2004, 07:56 PM	#8
7SecYaRight Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 60	Also, about the "check engine" light coming on with the V8 swaps. Is that true, and if so, how do i correct that?

02-03-2004, 11:22 PM	#9
7SecYaRight Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 60	also, is there any difference in the unibody of a 4 banger to a v8? if not, i will go ahead with it.