Is 500 HP The Real Practical Limit For A Stock 302 Shortblock?

We show you the autopsy results of the ailing 302 from my turbocharged notchback.
We discuss what was found and show you that it's not always just the engine block that cracks or splits when you start exceeding that mythical 500 horsepower number. There are other components that will start to show their limits when you get unto and exceed those types of numbers.
Factors such as the tune and even a large portion of luck can factor in on how much power a particular stock bottom end will handle before something starts letting you know it's not happy.

[@wayneknirnschild2646]

Wow Brother you go lucky my friend. 7 out of 8 bent nice job

[@Diondo26]

damm.. that luck I have with my 495hp s....😅😅

[@geniferteal4178]

David vizard suggests it's the harmonics and vibration that kill the mains. That's why a main cap stud girdle can make a huge difference to longevity of a stock block.

[@Mike-FoxsAbroad]

That guy talks a lot but it's frustrating watching his videos. Especially when he goes off topic so often and never really answers his clickbait questions. He only gives out pieces of information and I'm not sure if it's factual or theoretical. He is a journalist and wants people to pay him for info. I unsubscribed from him a few years ago. I did have a nice 50oz Fluidamper harmonic balancer and an aluminum flywheel on this 302. Harmonics would have been as good as they could be with stock crank, rods and pistons. If you watch our other video kzbin.info/www/bejne/monYfIuPe6pjp7M it shows that a girdle will not keep the block from cracking. It only keeps the parts from scattering.

[@Patrick-xd8jv]

He is far far from just a journalist. He’s closer to an internal combustion scientist. He had brain surgery so his speech is slow, but he has probably taught more people the science of porting heads than anyone in the country

[@geniferteal4178]

@@Mike-FoxsAbroad I agree on all counts, but I think he's got a lot of knowledge. You just need the patience to listen

[@Mike-FoxsAbroad]

@@geniferteal4178 He tells no real secrets. Just practical knowledge and tries to get people to buy his software and sign up for seminars. I'm not saying he doesn't have any good knowledge, but he is very reserved in what he talks about in his videos. What people say and how they say it just is not received the same way for all people. He is just not my cup of tea.

[@geniferteal4178]

@@Mike-FoxsAbroad I understand. He is a tough listen.

[@jcnpresser]

Dang, how did it bend all those rods? Wonder if when it lost that one cylinder caused the o2 to read lean and dump extra fuel in it trying to compensate, thinking it was lean? Idk that’s crazy though! 😂

[@deepsouthboringtv2239]

The valley will actually split on a 302 as well.

[@jamesgeorge4874]

Boost ? The 2.3 Volvo red blocks will bend the rods when the boost is high, and the rpm is low. My freind works at a highly reputable tuning shop in Michigan, his experience is some of the late 60's 302 blocks with "Hecho en Mexico" are the strongest, but are sketchy at the 600 mark. A main girdle helps.

[@Mike-FoxsAbroad]

Boost was around 12psi. I got into the 10's and that was enough for me with this combo. Especially with it smoking a bit and #7 having low compression.

[@jamesgeorge4874]

@@Mike-FoxsAbroad Thanks for the reply. My '80 Capri hasn't seen the light of day since '99. I have a 2001 Explorer 5.0 / 4R70W sitting on the garage floor. But I also have a Gen 4 LH6 5.3, that I got free, and frankly, I can't see putting a 230 hp iron lump, where a 400 hp aluminum one will fit perfectly. I don't believe in brand loyalty. Sorry if you hate it.

[@stuartwall8212]

I have to ask....is 500hp naturally aspirated less violent than 500hp boosted? is timing and mixture more forgiving NA? Do you think your cylinder wear was as measured before or after it was boosted? I dont know man....that is CERTAINLY interesting.

[@Mike-FoxsAbroad]

I'm not one to science that out. 500hp is 500hp but boosted engines usually make more torque. Especially turbo cars. Cyl wear... I'll never know. The tops of the pistons wore so much after the rods bent that I cant say how much accelerated wear happened. I know that when I built it there was no perceivable ridge. Now I can feel a little one with my finger.

[@WDMtea]

Harmonics and pre-detonation kills these blocks. I’ve been pushing 600hp on a 302 with forged internals and a main girdle for yrs.

[@darranlynas]

Looks like you didn’t have enough gap in your rings got too hot

[@Mike-FoxsAbroad]

They had plenty of gap. When the rods bent it hung the rings out one side of the piston so much that they got blasted with all the heat and pressure.