ok so now ive got my stock 302 running nicely im ready to start building on. It is a daily driver, but my daily drive is 5 miles to work and back and to the store a few times a week. What are some recommendations to maybe get some more power
Bump the base timing up to the 12-16* BTDC range. Then fill the tank with premium fuel. You say "stock" 302, but which "stock" 302 is it ? There's a huge power difference between say a 72 302 and even a 96 302 from a pickup truck.
Stop and think about what you really want. Using higher octane fuel than the compression needs will decrease power and mileage. Overadvancing the ignition will also decrease power and mileage. Check your total mechanical and initial advance by setting the timing to 34 degrees before TDC at 3500 RPM. (be sure to temporarily disconnect the vacuum advance) Then check the timing at idle - that is the highest initial advance that you can safely use without having your engine dyno tuned. To get more power you need to either increase the amount of air and fuel going into the engine or take better advantage of what it is using now. To make better use of it you need to improve your ignition, increase compression and your exhaust. To increase the amount of air and fuel going into your engine you will need better carburetion, intake manifold, exhaust, cam, better ignition, higher compression and head work. It depends on how much more power you want or if it is really power and not acceleration that you are after.
its a 73 and i suppose im going for something that's powerful but practical just a strong street performer.
Ok Brian, I don't suppose mileage is a prime consideration but running a car for short distances will require more frequent oil changes. So, you can mill the heads to increase compression. If you add a mild cam, a Performer Intake and headers you should pick up about 25 - 50 HP. Add a DSII distributor and have it recurved for a quicker advance. While the heads are off you can have screw-in studs installed and have a good 3 - 5 angle valve grind performed and hardened seats - at least on the exhaust. The screw-in studs will eliminate the studs being pulled out by heavier valve springs - especially if you go with an extreme energy cam with a high and fast lift. If this car has a C$ in it remember that you have to maintain at least 10" mercury vacuum at an idle to provide proper shift control.
consider geting beter heads. you can get e7 heads off of a 87 - 95 mustang. lots of them for sale for cheap or free. you can get gt 40 heads from a pre 98 explorer. or you can buy aftermarket performance heads. with the beter heads you can do alot. a 4 barrel intake and 4 barrel carb will be esential. with heads the have pedistal mount rocker arms, or screw in studs you can run 1.7 roller rockers. you can put a beter cam in the motor. you can put in a roller cam with aftermarket roller lifters or you can get a roller block and use that. there are endless ways to increase the power of the car. in my personal experience, untill you upgrade the heads you wont get any signifiacant increase from an intake, carb or exhast up grades. the timing sugestions are tuneing and thats something that should be done anyways.
Doing all that work to stock heads isn't cost effective. You can pickup used aftermarket heads for less than you'll spend on upgrading stock heads. If you go that route ( the roller block route mentioned by bryant would be even better) stick to 58 cc chambered heads to avoid any compression loss.
Put a set of 3.55:1 gears in the rear diff. This will give you a noticeable difference in performance that you will feel in the seat of your pants and your wallet. Then just enjoy it till your ready to really spend some cash on it.
Build another motor.... trust me. Leave your good running 302 alone and build another one. Then when your ready, put it in
Couldn't have said it better myself. Gear set for instant gratification. Then save up for a nice roller motor buildup ... or drop in a low mileage roller motor as is if you just want a strong street cruiser setup. Got a budget in mind?
