Want more power out of the 302 in my 76 , its all original with around 50k miles on it , is it worth putting h/c/i and a 4bbl setup on it or is the bottom end in those things not worth keeping?
im just worried about compression ratio , id like the car to have at least 300hp to the wheels if possible
302 bottom end handles 300 hp easily. Your comp is probably 8:1 and what you want to do isn't going to hurt that. Biggest issue you'll have holding you back is the stock heads. I think you are on the right track, many of us started by doing the same thing.
so do you think the edelbrock performer rpm top end kit would get me there or should i do a more custom setup with smaller cc heads?
Biggest problem is the D4 blocks had an extra .020"-something deck height for very low compression. Small chambered heads and thin head gaskets can help raise compression and give better squish/quench distance. Also the timing chain sets from those years were retarded a few degrees.
so from your experience what setup would you go with to have good power without touching the bottom end , also thought about converting to a roller cam as well but just a thought.
First decide what heads you want and build around them. To put a roller cam in your old block you either need a small base circle cam w/factory lifters (bad idea) or a full sized roller cam with expensive linked roller lifter (best way). What trans and rear gears do you have?
Roller cam will get pricey since you'd have to get a retro fit kit, as you start spending serious money, the stock head limitation sticks out as being a problem. Just my opinion of course.
Ditto on the head restriction. If you're on a budget, start with what you've already mentioned, and don't overlook the exhaust .system.
300 hp at the rear wheels? Don't plan on getting there without spending a bunch of money in my opinion. I don't see how one could do it without touching the bottom end.
