Ford 302 engine conversion

[Alexdaredevilz]

One simple question.

Why hasn't it been done?

Had a word with a few gearbox know it alls today and it will bolt on the the T5 box with no problems at all.

Its smaller than a Rover V8 in size

40 odd kg's heavier

And sky's the limit on power with chargers/nos with all the after-market parts available off the shelf.

CTS say they can build me a gearbox that will hold over 800bhp and 700ftlb's

I know the SBC is better, but surely the Ford V8 is a easy option?

Alex

[SILICONEKID340HP]

Is that the engine which came out in 1968? Im all for engine transplants ,have you looked at some of the modern all alloy overhead cam motors..BMW ,LS.Ford etc..What about the supercharged Jag engine ..

[Jammy Dodger]

I'm waiting for V8ndy to sort his out, mustang cobra Kenne Bell blown power, dyno'd at 632bhp iirc

[Alexdaredevilz]

Daz- I know there's better engines but the ford 302 is almost a bolt on

Jammy- his ford v8 is a modular ohc lump alot different than a ford 302

And yeah his engine will rock! Brummie needs to watch out IMO that kenne bell charger is a monster

[macdeb]

Bit heavy mate I reckon. Also, I had a 289 ford in a 1960 Vauxhall Velox [way back in 1980] and while it sounded fan- fookin-tastic and pulled like a train at take off, it really ran out of breath later on. That could be remedied but the weight can't.

[Alexdaredevilz]

Don't forget I have weight on my side,

The Bhp per ton will still be up

[macdeb]

Handling? Don't get me wrong bloke, I'm all for stuffing in things that shouldn't fit and open to suggestions. [not that]

Edited by macdeb on Thursday 9th February 22:26

[Alexdaredevilz]

New springs and shocks should sort that out,

It not really any more weight than having a boot full of stuff?

Theres non power steering chims that weigh X amount and chims with power steering and air con that weight X amount more, you don't really see them struggling, for example Peter (hcm) probaly weighs 20-25kgs more than me

[Jonny_b]

The editor of PPC magazine fitted a 302 to his Capri and wrote it up a series of articles. He also fitted a set of alloy heads to cut down the weight.

It sounds like an interesting build, but does it fit?

[Alexdaredevilz]

Jonny_b said:

It sounds like an interesting build, but does it fit?

It's smaller than a rover v8, it's the 351w that's alot bigger

[Jonny_b]

http://www.ppcmag.co.uk/1973-ford-capri/302-ford-v...

[M@H]

Alexdaredevilz said:

Jonny_b said:

It sounds like an interesting build, but does it fit?

It's smaller than a rover v8, it's the 351w that's alot bigger

Indeed - its only abour 22" high and about 30" long IIRC.

[Chilliman]

If it's shorter then will this not move its weight further back towards the centre of the car? Having the engines CoG further back must in some small way compensate for its greater weight..... (Appreciate you probably can't move the 'box further back)

Have to say Alex it sounds very (Jack) Griffithesque

[haircutmike]

I'm just concerned about weighing 25kg more then te'lad

[900T-R]

I'd say 40 kg is rather significant in such a lightweight car - TBH the standard one could do with about 30-40 kgs less in the nose sooner than 50 extra bhp... Re-speccing springs and shocks for the greater weight on the front axle will only help counteract the most obvious symptoms.

OTOH I must have lost about 20-25 kg on the front axle (no cats, lightweight starter, carbon induction, lightweight battery also but that's well within the car's wheelbase) and it's quite noticeable; it's got less of the initial noseheavy attitude, then snap oversteer if you're careless thing going on than the std car; it's just that bit more fluent and balanced.

And yes, a bootful of stuff can easily weigh the same, but at least that's over the driven wheels...

[neal1980]

Go for it I say... It was on my list of possible transplants ages ago for the same reasons but I went turbo instead. When you start looking at the cost of parts from america for engines like this it makes even more sense.

Were both light weights so I wouldnt worry about the weight if now you looked like Rik Waller then maybe think again

We have to try new things the more idears and completed conversions on the table the better.

[Alexdaredevilz]

Good comments so far

And yes Neal Summit racing for yank V8's is man porn

And no reason why not apart from extra weight

So where can I loose some weight?(on the car)

Tvr exhaust scrapped for lighter neater system saving 5kg's?

Smaller battery 5kg's?

Smaller starter motor 1kg if Im lucky!

Smaller alternator 1-2kg's?

Smaller and neater intake/plenum system 1-5kg's?

Smaller power steering pump or go electric?

[neal1980]

I wouldnt worry about losing weight, more power is easier. You wouldnt notice it im sure. Its mainly a road car so will be fine.

Small savings like battery, wheels etc but wouldnt go to the extreme because your bumping the cost back up.

Sorry forgot seats elise vx220 etc.

[Alexdaredevilz]

Big question

Carb or EFI?

[SILICONEKID340HP]

Why can you get so much more power out the ford small block..Iv`e seen this engine on show at the Newark Kit car show,it looked small

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTuwEtGn3lU&fea...

Edited by SILICONEKID340HP on Friday 10th February 20:07