Engine Swap 302/460

[dozer59044]

B) I am looking for info on swapping 302 to 460. I have an 89 bronco xlt w/4 spd. trans,6" lift with extended radius arms. I will be running 37" tires. I do alot of mountain driving so i really like the power of the 460. But is it a major re-work to get it in???? 302 is OK but not enough torx. Will I have to dump the EFI?? What about wiring??? I know they sell motor mounts for this swap. I'm not looking to build a monster just want more power for going up rocky mountians and pulling trailers up here in Montana. I really dont want to replace any of the axle or suspension as I have just rebuilt most of it. Any info would be appreciated.

Thanks

P.S. Dont let the XLT fool you, Its getting gutted and rhino lined w/ six racing seats for the family.

 

[firelt90bronco]

I'm not sure about swapping in that much power or size, did you try to change gear ratios? A 351 would give you some good power.

 

[cjbronco]

Well Dumoing the efi would depend on the type of 460 you get I think..? Either way its a pretty big job i'd say. A 351 swap would probably be easier, then then again why not go for thr 460! You'd really be doing about the same amount of work. The motor mounts are there for ya. get yourself a efi or carb engine and take it from there.

 

[ocalabronco]

you have a 4 spd auto? basically here's a small list of parts you'll need to get to get started with:

-460, preferably rebuilt

-transmission with a big block bellhousing bolt pattern ( say that five times fast)

-applicable computer if you stay EFI. comp will need to come from either donor truck, or an EFI 460 equipped rig

-motor mounts

- headers, if you want. driveshaft clearance arises here, best bet are shorties and custom routed exhaust

there are other parts involved, but you need to do alot of research. regardless, it involves alot of work, and somewhat lengthy downtime unless you are skilled with a wrench

 

[dozer59044]

Thanks for replies. I'm running a 4 spd manuel w/ granny gear. With this tranny the gearing is already very low so a gear swap isnt in the cards. I have to run 33" tires just to get speed up to 70MPH. I really like the tranny/gear set up I have now. Just need more power. I've build custom desert cars in the past and many trucks. I just wondering about the availablity of aftermarket parts for the swap. I'm thinking to just run a stock 460, nothing radical. I NEED MORE POWER!!!!!

you have a 4 spd auto? basically here's a small list of parts you'll need to get to get started with:-460, preferably rebuilt

-transmission with a big block bellhousing bolt pattern ( say that five times fast)

-applicable computer if you stay EFI. comp will need to come from either donor truck, or an EFI 460 equipped rig

-motor mounts

- headers, if you want.  driveshaft clearance arises here, best bet are shorties and custom routed exhaust

there are other parts involved, but you need to do alot of research.  regardless, it involves alot of work, and somewhat lengthy downtime unless you are skilled with a wrench

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[Justshootme84]

dozer, I looked at a 79 Bronco recently that had a 460 swap profesionally done at a cost of about $2500. Since that motor is classed as a "big block" you will need new motor mounts, and the bolt pattern for the transmission bellhousing is different than a smallblock 302/351W. IF you really want a 460, check out L&L Products here in Texas, they have everything you may need. You can get a carbed or EFI 460, just try to get the tranny with it.

An option you might consider is a Stroker 302 or 351W, so you can use your stock drivetrain with some strength upgrades. The big advantage of the smallblocks is weight, as the 460 is a few hundred pounds heavier. Search the forums for engine specs, and you'll see the 460 is slightly better in Hp and more so on torque, but you can bore it out and make a killer motor. L&L has tons of info on that, too.

It all depends on what you want to use the rig for, and what you can get for a decent price. I've been looking for a 460 for several months to replace my blown 351W. I found a Boss 302 that will go into the 86, and a 351W-Lightning for the 84. Both were less than half the cost of a 460/tranny combo.

 

[dozer59044]

B)

dozer, I looked at a 79 Bronco recently that had a 460 swap profesionally done at a cost of about $2500. Since that motor is classed as a "big block" you will need new motor mounts, and the bolt pattern for the transmission bellhousing is different than a smallblock 302/351W. IF you really want a 460, check out L&L Products here in Texas, they have everything you may need. You can get a carbed or EFI 460, just try to get the tranny with it.
An option you might consider is a Stroker 302 or 351W, so you can use your stock drivetrain with some strength upgrades. The big advantage of the smallblocks is weight, as the 460 is a few hundred pounds heavier. Search the forums for engine specs, and you'll see the 460 is slightly better in Hp and more so on torque, but you can bore it out and make a killer motor. L&L has tons of info on that, too.

It all depends on what you want to use the rig for, and what you can get for a decent price. I've been looking for a 460 for several months to replace my blown 351W. I found a Boss 302 that will go into the 86, and a 351W-Lightning for the 84. Both were less than half the cost of a 460/tranny combo.

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^_^ /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" /> Thanks for the info. I'm thinking more about the stroker motor. How does this affect the computer??

 

[SoFlaSwamper]

B)   ^_^ /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" /> Thanks for the info. I'm thinking more about the stroker motor. How does this affect the computer??

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Unless you're an electronic ***** i would go carb'd. I believe if you go EFI, you need a whole new wiring harness, computer, and your gauges will never quite work right (unless, like i said, you're an electronic guru).

I may be wrong, but I did a v6 to v8 swap in a mustang and the electronics KILLED me.

I would go with a 351 and stroke it out. You'll get a stronger motor with built internals and gobs of torque. The 302 is the worst motor ford made for our trucks in regards to torque. the I-6 made more low-end tq than the 302, right??

 

[ocalabronco]

good news for you. since you have a granny geared manual, your bellhousing can be detached from the transmission itself, meaning all you have to do to bolt the trans to the motor is find a new bellhousing from a big block, maybe a new, bigger clutch, and bolt it all back into place. and also since you have a manual, you dont need to worry about getting a new computer since it controls nothing concerning the motor or trans. if you want pure simple power and easy tuning, go with a carb. it can get cranky int he winter, but its far easier to tune and tweak than EFI. and nowhere near as many damn sensors to mess you up.