I am building up my 5.0l for my 95 and i need some help figuring out what i need to do. what i currently have to work with:
-2x 5.0 block
-stock 5.0 heads
-stock crank/rods/pistons
-stock cam
-stock 351W heads
-351W cam

I have never built an engine before with performance parts, and i want to do it right. I want power, but i'm not sure how much. I really want to supercharge it. Everything is going to be expensive, so it will be a work in progress.

Here are some of my questions:
1. I've heard of people putting 351W heads on 302 blocks. What are the adv/disadvatages of this? I would think it would be better airflow at least, but is it worth it?
2. How much bore should I do if i am planning on supercharging it?
3. Will I need a different cam? Not sure if either one will work. If i do, what is changed with having forced induction?
4. Should i get a different crank?

These are my questions to start with. any help is greatly appreciated.

 

Your deffinately going to have to go to MAF if you arent already. And the cams will work, but if your thinking of going big, you might want to do it now, instead of later.

 

what you first need to decide is how much you want/have to spend. get a budget and stick to it, it will save you alot of money. (plan your work, then work your plan) Once you get a budget, then you know how much you got to work with so you buy the parts you need and not the ones that would just be nice to have, if you know what i mean. decide on a figure, and i can help you maximize your dollar.

 

youd be much better off with the p series heads off a 5.0 liter explorer they r the same heads as a gt 40. the only difference the 351 heads have is the intake valve is slightly bigger but other than that there not any better than ur stock geads. and go with bosch #19 injectors, the ecu and wireharness maf off a mustang or 94-96 f150 with mass air instead of speed density. then headers and 3inch exost. rv cam and high flow intake off the explorer and msd ignition. all that will get u up to around 275 horse

 

OK, I did some thinking... I'd like to have 400ish hp with a fair amount of torque. Is it reasonable to be able to keep it under $3000? If that is possible, that is what I will aim for.

 

400 is a big number when you only have just over 200 stock. thats going to be hard to do, but with 3K id say 3 to 350 is possible, and if you look at it that way, thats a 50% or more increase! supercharging is a great option but in my opinion, your gonna need alittle more money to make it right, as you say you want to. Whats you overall goal with your project, is it a daily driver, weekend cruiser, off-road, street/strip, etc?

as far as the engine goes i would concentrate on good cylinder heads (not cast iron) cam and pistons

 

Ok. What if I build the engine up first, and keep that under 3k, then in the future add a supercharger? What kind of power could I try to shoot for without the supercharger? Weekend cruiser with some power is what i want. I am going to be doing research on heads/cam/pistons. any combos in particular you would recomment?

 

well if your for sure going to sometime use a supercharger, your gonna want to put forged pistons in but at the same time, lower compression pistons. Which is going to hurt your power until you get a supercharger. maybe 250-300hp without the blower.
Probe industries makes a good economical forged piston $350-400 a set.
Heads there really are only 2 options in my opinion, trick flow or AFR but if you find the right deal, i guess a set of edel-junks will work (better than a gt-40)

If you don't want to go blower, i'd use a set of 10.5:1 pistons (93 octane) and again, a good set of heads and cam with roller rockers and you could probably sqeeze out 350-375hp

 

What I recommend.....

Dont bore it over .30 or it will run hot. Definitely spend the extra money on the forged pistons if you plan to supercharge it.
You will have to convert it to mass air, requiring a ecu,wiring harness, and mass air meter(buy all these things off a 89 and up mustang) used to save money. You might upgrade to a bigger mass air meter and throttle body later if you want.
Go with 24lb injector over the stock 19# ones.
I would also say gt40P heads(explorer) or have your stock heads ported and polished and reworked,(DO NOT MILL THEM to much compression is not good with a supercharger), dont mess with the 351 heads. Buy aftermarket heads as budget allows.
I would buy a Ford Racing stock or forged crank(depending on budget)
I also recommend a aftermarket intake, I like the Cobra intake but there are several options
Id use a E or B303 cam, but dont go to big with the cam
You will need a 255lph fuel pump if you plan to supercharge also.
You didnt specify whether you are rebuilding the engine or not as far as rings,bearings,oil pump, but I would suggest doing it all while you are in there. It will be $ well spent when you decide to force feed your beast!!
Ive build several mustangs and had lots of success
Good Luck with the project.

 

95 truck is already has mass air