Ford Repair: Mustang Engines, mustang engines, power adder


Question
I have a 98' Mustang Gt.  I'm wanting to put in a new motor.  I'm thinking of either 302, which I know will fit with no problem, or a 351W or 351C.  Now my question is about horsepower and torque.  I know that as I move up I get more horsepower and torque but I was wondering how much of a differnce there will be.  I am looking to make some pretty big modifications on the engines so really all I'm looking for is base hp and torque and possible top limits for each engine.  I know that there will be variations depending on what I do and use.

Answer
Ben-

 It's not actually as easy as you may think.  You'll have to nab some front suspension parts from a '94-'95 GT (since those were the last factory 5.0L Mustangs) and you'll have to make some fairly serious wiring and fuel modifications.  As for power, obviously the 351s will make more power.  But a 351 is harder to package inside a '94-later Mustang body than a 302.  A 302 with the right parts, a stock block, and a main cap girlde will max out somewhere around 600hp while you might be able to squeeze 700-800hp out of a 351.  I wouldn't recommend a Cleveland motor, though.  They have an awkward block design (wider that the 351Ws), hi-po parts are becoming harder to come by, and they make most of their power in higher rpms.  In short, they don't make the best street motors.  Just as much power can be had with a Windsor block motor with better low end.  Ultimately it will be up to you which way to go, but if it were me I'd stick a stroked 302 in there and throw a power adder like a turbo onto it. That's about 500hp easy..and still on pump gas.  Hope this helps.

Steve