Stupid questions
 

Was the late model (87 particularly) 302 a roller motor? If so, what designates a roller from a flat tappet, and do you need to get different lifters and rockers for each?

Second, with an 87 (no smog) can you build 350 streetable hp? I foget how much that stock block will take before it becomes prone to grenade.

Sorry for the dumb questions, just trying to flush out an idea here.
Thanks.:D

if the motor is outta a 87 GT/LX 302 stang,it's a roller motor.


roller cam uses roller lifters where a flat tappet cam uses hydraulic lifters

yes,you can build a streetable 350hp 302

Far as motors lasting,I've seen people blow 225hp motors up,all depends upon how you keep things in tune and take care of stuff ;)

Thinking about that 65' Mike?
 

It was nice. You'll have to let us know whenever you get that damn 65' you're looking for. Later, Keith

Re: Thinking about that 65' Mike?
 

Yeah, I'm more thinking about that '66 we saw at the track. I ran it on the anaylzer and I'm thinking a solid 350 in that car would get me into the high 11's, with 4.11's. Maybe I'm all wet, but I don't think I really want just another 13 second 65. It's gotta be fast if I'm getting a c4.

Anyone have suggestions on how to reasonabley cheaply get that kind of power with a late model block, runnng a carb?

Are you talking 350 rear wheel hp, or at the flywheel? 350 flywheel hp probably isn't enough for 11s... To get close to that you'll need to gut the car completely, have slicks that hook like mad with steep gears (4.11s like you said), and be able to launch the hell outta that C4 (transbrake/high stall). You're gonna have to do some work to that suspension, too.

I've had a C4 in both of my '69s, I have a shift kit, a 2500 stall, and a tranny cooler. The car is just driven occasionally on weekends and cool nights when the weather is good. If I did it all over again, I would go with a T10 Toploader 4-spd in a heartbeat. It will be more streetable (especially with a big cam), funner to drive, and you don't have to worry about burning your tranny up because your converter stalls high.

If I was you I'd go with a carb, it would be easier since you wouldn't have to run any computer crap. Good heads, decent cam, good intake, 650 carb should get you 350 hp at the flywheel with a good tune. Definitely go with an electronic ignition (still haven't put one on mine yet:() and make sure your cooling system is in prime condition. Heat is your enemy!

Just a couple opinions and/or tips.....

I'm trying to figure out what this guy did to his 302. I know that's what it was, because I saw it with my own eyes. He claimed the car to have the following.

Stock c4
Balanced 302
Windsor Sr heads (saw the etching on them)
some cam
4.11's
Traction bars
slicks.

Didn't sound like he had a transbrake, and the car didn't shift for crap. What I'm trying to figure out is why that car was so dang fast. I really think it shouldn't have been.:confused:

Know what kind of intake/carb setup he had? Or was it a fuelie? I'm guessing he had a little bit more work done to that thing than he said....maybe a bottle? If it didn't launch that hard and it wasn't shifting too good it's hard to believe he was anywhere close to 11s with his supposed combination....

it was a carb, 4bbl. Edlebrock high rise manifold. maybe 750 cfm, I'm not sure. No bottle, I looked in the interior, and cbad makes you write NOS on the window.

I'm thinking he may have had a little hotter cam than he let on, but it idled real nice.

I'm giving a big WTF on this one. I wouldn't believe it if I hadn't seen it with me own eyes.

I call B.S.
 

Oh wait, I saw it too, damn. Mike's not kidding, this car ran a 11.75 and a 11.83 while we were there. He pulled hard, but his launches weren't that good. I have no idea what kind of cam was in there either, but whatever it was, it hauled butt. Later, Keith

I think with a custom ground cam, full port and polish job on the victor SR heads with like a 5 angle valve job some really high lift springs, a fully ported manifold with a beefy carb, and that balanced 302 being a light wieght balanced rotating assembly running upwards of 14:1 compression you could see those times on that setup. There have been setups with as much as 600 horses goign threw the stock block...