302 Swap in 69 Mustang
 

I have a ’69 Mustang with an anemic 302 in it… what’s the best (largest) engine that will bolt up to a c-4 auto tranny? I’ve always been a GM guy… sorry for the stupid question.

vf,
a 460 bolts up to a C4....but...ya gotta beef up the C4 to live with all that torque.....
pretty easy to build a 460 to 500ft/lbs+

68' thru 70' (all the same unibody) Ford stuffed just about every different big block they made at that time into Mustangs....

here's what a SCJ 428 would look like in your bay (customer's car at the shop for restoration)

Ha, you read my mind... a 460 is what I had in mind... what do ya gotta do to the tranny?? Is there a kit or something??

You can buy one already set up to handle a lot of power or I guess a transmission shop could do the same thing. A 460 has a lot of power but will fit tight in your bay. The Mustang won't handle as well with all of that weight on the front end. A 351 Windsor can be stroked out for a lot of cubic inches and with all of the aftermarket parts it can be made into a great performer. It is also a lot lighter than the 460. Another route would be to stroke your 302 to a 347. They can also be built to have amazing power.

Danny

Thanks a lot... maybe I'll go the 351 route. Thanks again!!

vf,
you asked for "biggest". I answered 460....

but what is the hp/tq/et/etc goal your looking for....

"if" you just want to go really quick once and awhile....a $500 nos kit would do it on your 302

I've heard nos will damage you engine. Any thoughts?

vf,
any/all of the NOS suppliers/mfgrs web sites have a "info" page like this link example:

http://www.forcefedperformance.com/Services_NOS.asp

look up all the different kits mfgrs on summit or jegs....each site will have more or different additional info

As always, THANKS for the info!!

vr,
your welcome but to be honest....it would take me forever to type all that out with just 2 fingers!

food for thought:

Key to any fun street car is max TQ (not hp) to the tires at all normal driving rpms...

TQ=real "force"=push you back in the seat fun

very very generally cubes=max TQ (why a 460 will give you a neck ache)

stock 302 with a decent tune up is 300ft/lbs
300ft/lbs x 3.00 gears = 900 ft/lbs of twist force on the tires
300ft/lbs x 3.73 gears = 1,119 ft/lbs of force on the tires=Hg is higher=more TQ with less load and a pretty darn good increase for "wow" acceleration with very little gas pedal

$500 gear swap is the best bang for the buck on a 302...ain't got cubes change gears for the same tq at the tires...
stock 351W motor x 3.00=1050 ft/lbs at the tires approx
TQ cam on a 302=about 320ft/lbs
320x3.73=1193

The 429 was not used in a MUSTANG until the 1971 model year other than the 69/70 BOSS and those were specially modified to take them.

While a 460 will go, it will require apron work. The car will then be nose heavy and only fit for straight road driving (hot street).

(IMO)

A lightly modified 302/351W will give you much more roadability unless you are just looking for flat out performance.

you also ask wkat would bolt to the bell housing. that would be 302/351. to bolt up a 429/460, you have to change bell housings. they are avail, but pricey. best bet 351 windsor.

boss 429 1969/1970, rare, but they exist

guys,

I went back and changed my post to: just say: Ford "big block motors" (not 429)....cause about every motor Ford built was stuffed in them....

vf,
food for thought:
I'm not a big fan for starting with a 351W....250hp/340tq stock....
because it has the (small valves, TQ biased I/E) 302 heads on it....
to get performance above about 4500rpms....
you have to buy after market heads.....

"but"
the brand new totally complete (intake/dist/etc) crate motor is a heck of a buy ($2800?) and is definitely a fun "cruiser" motor just stock....
it is taller than a 302 in a Mustang so do check the air filter and carb and intake hood clearance before you buy

I do agree with putting in a big block does ruin the handling....

whoops, double post....(server hiccup?)