i'm currently wanting to make my 302 a 306. anybody ever done this? or know anything about it. tips, pointers. anything would be helpful. i'm doing this project with my dad. its a 93 XLT F150. got a 302 block really cheap and i'm wanting to bor it out to a 306. i want to push around 400 to 450 hpw. on about a 2000$ budget. at max. the more money i can save the better. any suggestions on how i can make some cheap but efficient and reliable hpw?

 

302 (301.6)-306? An over-bore of 0.020" will get you ~305 (304.6). We won't quibble over the other 1.4ci.
As for the power: www.summitracing.com Two grand ought to get you what you want.

EDIT: After a bit of research it is my opinion (agreeing with Osno) that two grand will not get you the 400-450hp you want. You're talking forged pistons, high-strength rods, possibly a steel crank and some pricey top end work such as heads, manifolds, etc.
If the block, crank, rods, pistons and rings in your "cheap" 302 are in top condition, then an Edelbrock Top-End kit from Summit Racing will get you to ~350hp....but the application requires a carburettor.

 

You won't get there without a power adder on a $2000 budget.

Osnola Kinnard

 

Thumper, I don't want to discourage you, but you're reaching awfully high on a small budget.

I think Muscle Mustangs and Fast Fords built a 412 HP 302 a few years ago...and trust me, this was NOT a budget build, and not something you'd want to drive regularly. The thing had HUGE ported heads that would blow your budget by about $1000 by themselves, a custom solid lifter cam, etc., etc., etc.

What you CAN do on the cheap is build a good reliable 302 that will kick *****, and you won't have to spend your time wrenching on it every day...you can drive it.

I'd build a STRONG bottom end...if you can afford a forged crank, rod, pistons, get it. This will allow you to use a power adder later, and trust me, you'll want one. Make sure your pistons are notched, so you can use a higher lift cam as well...Piston to valve impact SUCKS (I tried putting a Ford X303 cam in a 5.0 and learned the hard way).

Aluminum heads are OUT...a good set of heads is about $1500 by themselves, and that doesn't include pushrods, springs, rocker arms, etc.

You can find a set of USED GT40 heads from the 1993 Mustang Cobra, or the GT40P heads off of the 5.0 Explorers...they are CHEAP, and will make good power. Be warned, the P heads require a different header than the GT40's. A little port cleanup on them goes a LONG way as well.

My advice for a cam is either the Ford Motor Sports E or F 303 cam...or the Crane Fireball...i want to say the number is 2081.

Now, the next parts you need are exhaust...long tube headers all the way..1.5" is perfect.

Finally...the Explorer based 5.0 engines had GT40 intakes and 65mm throttle bodies...you can also find them used cheap.

You won't make 400 HP, but you will knock down 350 or so, and will put about 280-290 at the tires...and with that cam kicking, will sound straight NASTY.

Good luck,
Osnola Kinnard

 

that was one of the first things i was gonna buy. i heard they're cheaper than usual and can get a lot more performance out of them.

 

You can get a lot of performance out of the P heads. Be cautious about GT40 heads...the non P heads were standard on the 93-95 Mustang Cobra and the 351 Based Lightnings. There was also a variant for marine use that has HUGE ports, and will be a poor application for your truck.

Keep in mind before you buy a set of P heads and spend some bucks getting them worked on...a STOCK set of Trick Flow Twisted Wedge or AFR 165's will outflow and outperform a worked over set of P heads every day of the week and twice on Sunday.

Also...bigger is not always better...I don't know what you're using your truck for, but a high revving small block isn't the best application for a regularly driven truck.

Osnola Kinnard

 

yes that is very true about bigger is not always better. cuz the truck is in minnesota and if you've ever seen big wide tires try to go through the snow it doesn't work out to well. i'm obviously not in the states right now to drive it so my dad starts it up about twice a month and takes it into town probly once a month. all i want this truck for is a sunday driver that a can show off. its not for the track or mud. i want everything nice and clean and as the years go by make it my own with custom written all over it. one of a kind sunday driver.