Evan96F150

Have a 96 302 in my truck right now and I found a 96 351. I've been wanting a 351. What will need to be changed if I decided to do this swap? The wiring harness and computer? And the reason I'm wondering about the computer is because the guy sold the computer so I need the computer if I can't use mine.

imp

The 302 computer was programmed for fuel delivery to a smaller engine, right? It would have run the 351 very lean, not enough fuel. That's one thing. Another is the ignition spark advance, which is not identical in the 2 engines.


You can buy a rebuilt computer from nearly any auto parts store, or on-line, specifying the important facts about the application. They are not expensive.


imp

qdeezie

You can run the 351 with the 302 computer. This has been done many times over. Main difference is the 351 does not have a provision for the Knock Sensor, but will run just fine without a knock sensor. The 351 runs 19lb injectors just like the 302.

Evan96F150

What about the wiring harness? I've read where people have said that you need a new one and others have said you can use the same one. But with my engine and this 351 being the same year I didn't know if I could still use mine

qdeezie

You can use the same wiring harness. The '96 351 and '96 302 have the same firing order, so you don't need to do anything with your injectors. Make sure they give you the fuel rail and accessory brackets with the 351. You will need those. It is a very straightforward swap.

Do you plan on doing anything to the 351 prior to installing it?

Evan96F150

Yeah if it doesn't need rebuilt. I was thinking of putting an rv cam gt40 head headers I don't know about intake manifolds.
What would you recommend?
I'm looking for enough power to play around on 35s like being able to break them loose.
Once again if there's anything I said that's not worth the money or something else I should do let me know.

imp

Lots of mistakes have been made "many times over", but that does not make things right. What do you think a 351 would run like using a carb jetted for a 302? imp

qdeezie

So, I guess the Mass Air kit that Ford used to sell for the Lightning, (which used a 302 computer and wiring harness, by the way) was a mistake too according to your logic. Smh.

qdeezie

I think a low end torque cam and GT40 heads are a very nice budget upgrade.

The 351 intake is a bottleneck as far as airflow is concerned.

Since you aren't going with terribly big heads, have the factory lower ported to match the port size of the GT40 heads to maximize your airflow.

The Edelbrock intake for the 351 is much, much better than the factory intake, but I don't necessarily think it's worth it for the build you're aiming for unless your budget allows for it. If your budget allows for the Edelbrock intake, you should strongly consider it, but it's not an absolute must have with what you're looking to build.

That's my .02.....

Evan96F150

Thanks man! Any opinion on injectors? 24lb or should I just stick with the 19lb?