302???

[paulk68]

Hey Guys,
I am really thinking about building a 302 for my 68 camaro project and was wondering what you guys thought about the idea. I want something that screams down the road. I believe the combo is a 327 crank in a 287 block?? i do not now what heads or anything else though. Anybody know exactley what the setup is and what kinda numbers you think i could get out of one.
Thanks Paul

[justanova]

i beleive the combo is a 283 crank and a 327 block. I say go for it, I have always wanted to build a 302

[MuscleRodz]

Justanova is correct. The other way makes a 307. yuck. Make sure the 327 is a small journal block to work with the 283 crank.

Mike

[ProdigyCustoms]

I have done a dozen Z28s, and hated everyone of the 302s. No torque at all, and torque is everything on the street. As far as screamin, you can build a stump pulling 406that will turn 7000RPMs.
You'll get your ass whoped by Hondas for the first 600ft with a 302.

[indyjps]

how about a 400 block 4.125 bore with a 3.00 stroke crank. maybe see if scat or someone could send you a blank crank thats large enough get the 400 main out of. just my crazy thought.

[boodlefoof]

indyjps,

Go over to AFR's website (www.airflowresearch.com) and take a look on their article archive for "The Small Block Chevy Should Have Built."

They took a 400 block, stuck in a 3.25'' crank and some long rods to get the longest R/S ratio possible. It was sort of an exercise in using quench and R/S to use higher compression...

Anyway, they ended up with an 11:1 engine running a very short cam (around 216* duration) and made 400+ horses/torque on 87 octane!

I was thinking, why not run 12:1 on 93 octane?!

[DarkBuddha]

Doh! I was all psych'd about the possibility of it being a Ford 302...

[Bill Howell]

I am with Frank on this one. While some swear the 302 was the best sbc ever built, my experiance with them is anything but stellar. They run and pull really well if you like to twist hard. Their ideal rpm range is just too high for me and at low rpms they are slugs. There are many cheaper and better options out there for streetable small blocks.

[Kenova]

indyjps,

Go over to AFR's website (www.airflowresearch.com) and take a look on their article archive for "The Small Block Chevy Should Have Built."

They took a 400 block, stuck in a 3.25'' crank and some long rods to get the longest R/S ratio possible. It was sort of an exercise in using quench and R/S to use higher compression...

Anyway, they ended up with an 11:1 engine running a very short cam (around 216* duration) and made 400+ horses/torque on 87 octane!

I was thinking, why not run 12:1 on 93 octane?!

:icon996: That engine is burnt into my memory (what's left of it). They only used 6.00" rods in that motor though. You could easily stuff a 6.250" rod in there with that 3.25" stroke. Along with bumping up the compression ratio, use a slightly bigger cylinder head and good valve springs; you won't have any trouble getting it to wind up. And you'll have torque that a 302 could only dream of having.
I know it doesn't show , but I think about this combo a lot.
Ken

[BRIAN]

I actually like the 302 as it is high rev motor without all that torq to screw you up in the turns. Yes, the big inch high torq motors are also fun on the street but banging through the gears in a high rev high HP 302 is also an interesting ride. Hey build it to your driving style not somebody elses. Actually cheap all forged bottom end motor. Good luck.

[JV69z/28]

Since I'm old enough to remember what driving my '69 Z/28 was like when it was new with a tank full of Sunoco 260 when high test was high octane do yourself a favor "there is no substitute for cubic inches". Build yourself a big inch motor. It makes much more sence if you really want to drive the car and enjoy it. Especially with today's fuel quality or lack there of. 7500 RPMs is fun but the novelity wears off quick when the motor has to be at 4500 RPMs before it starts making power. Think about it! Jack

[Sue]

paulk68
yeah, definitely below 5k you'll be hurting, but 5 to 8k its a fun engine.
obviously, if you want low end torque, not the engine for the project.
although "there's no substitute for cubic inches" is true, anyone building a 302 isn't looking to build a stump puller they're looking for a racing engine. if thats what you want, i'd say do it.

[blazer4corners]

You can also use a 307 crank in a 350 block....both are large journal and widely available.

[derekf]

Go over to AFR's website (www.airflowresearch.com) and take a look on their article archive for "The Small Block Chevy Should Have Built."

Went to take a look and had to do quite a bit of searching to find it.

Here's the link directly to the article:

http://airflowresearch.com/articles/article03/A3-P1.htm

[paulk68]

Thanks for the info guys. I am going to look into some of those other options that you stated, cuz i am looking for something with some torque. I do not want a dog off the line but like i said it would be nice to have an egine that pulled for a while. anyways i will keep doing some research and see what i can find and get back in touch.
Paul

[MarkM66]

Some 283 blocks can be bored to 4.00". Just be sure to have it sonic checked. So you'd have your 302 right there. Or you could do it 0.090 over and be pretty darn close. Might save you a few bucks if you find a good 283 to start with.

You'll also need a head with a very small cc. The L98/ZZZ heads are pretty good for this engine.

[BRIAN]

How about a 377? 350 crank in a 400.

[ProdigyCustoms]

Paul a 377 or 406 are both good choices. They are both easy 7000RPM ,motors, and will pull from 3000. Depending on the weight of your car, if it is light (under 3000LBS), I love a 377, a 377 is a fast reving you now what. If it is heavy, I like the 406 as the 406 will make more torque. Both will use the 400 block and 4.125 - 4.155 bore, which really unshrouds the valves making the heads more efficient. if you do plan on doing either of these, you should really look into an aftermarket block if it is going to be making 500+ HP, and / or turning more then 6000RPMs.
If you get serious, we have a lot of experiance with these motors.

[BADVELLE]

I actually like the 302 as it is high rev motor without all that torq to screw you up in the turns. Yes, the big inch high torq motors are also fun on the street but banging through the gears in a high rev high HP 302 is also an interesting ride. Hey build it to your driving style not somebody elses. Actually cheap all forged bottom end motor. Good luck.

You want high rev, build a 377. However, I also believe that there is no substitute for cubic inches, I have a 406 that I took out of my Chevelle, very nice.

You have to do what you want, it is your car, have fun with it, if a 302 is what you want, build it, build it with good parts.
:3gears:

[David Sloan]

I got a 283 block you can have!!!!!! Just come an get it soon before it goes in the dumpster!!!!!!!