Working on a stock 302...

[Mustang_289]

First off, no such thing as a dumb question.. It's great that you're doing the research on your car.

Couple of things that will give you some additional flywheel HP:

1) Don't know what year stang your 302 is, but if it's EFI - remove the silencer from the passenger side fender well.

2) Install a K&N filter around $40

3) Install pullies - less than $100
you will need impact to remove alt nut.

4) If you can, get ride of the stock h-pipe and exhaust for aftermarket. This is a more time consuming expensive but well worth it upgrade can spend around $800 and up to top of the line stainless steel h-pipe and cat back.

5) upgrade the gears to 3.55 or 3.73 this will give you quicker runs.