79F100Ranger

I have a 79 f100 with a 302 and 2barrel carb . I'm not too familiar with this engine because i am just getting introduced working on engines and such. Well I have enough experience to know when an engine lacks balls and this one does. I read that the 302 in the early 70's was pushing 250-280 hp and due to emissions regulations in the late 70's it was cut to around 140 depending on the carb you have. well i was wondering what i can do, besides swapping in a 351W, to scavenge some power without going bankrupt. I am a college student on a budget after all. Well i hope you guys get this and send me all the help you can.

semperfi48103

There is never a replacement for displacement so the 351 would be nice but you can put a 4bbl and intake on it to get some hp outta the 302 nice ones will run out about 400 total. maybe cheaper on ebay. more air in is more power out so a k&n would help too. I am having the same debate with my bronco...351W i am working on putting edelbrock manifold on it and maybe a cam but thoughts have run through my head saying "460" "bigblock" but then reason comes in and says $thousands$ and i always come back to the performance parts

351w

no matter what approach you take you are still gunna spend thousands of dollars to build an engine that makes 400 hp.
your best bet is to research your engine and find out what parts you can change to make the most power gains for the dollar spent.
in most cases with the 302 or 351 you will find that the cam can be a major power adder but it has to be complimented with a free flowing exhaust and good high flow intake.
if you really want to make serious power you can bolt on aftermarket heads with bigger valves and then a cam.
you can make as much as 140 hp with a cam change if the rest of your engine can flow the required amount of fuel/air.

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