Blueprint 302 cruiser crate engine?

[moosestang]

Has anyone used one of these in a build? I like the look of their blacked out fully dressed version. Trying to find a video of what it sounds like with side pipes on a cobra.

The billet brackets really give it a unique look to me compared to their standard motors. $9k for a fully dressed 302 seems pretty reasonable, but wtf do i know, i've never bought a crate motor.

https://blueprintengines.com/products/blueprint-engines-302ci-cruiser-crate-engine-small-block-ford-style-efi-base-dressed-longblock-with-black-pulley-kit-aluminum-heads-roller-cam-front-sump-pam

[hineas]

From my understanding, the other create engines from BluePrint won't necessarily fit as is unless you get one of the ones made for Factory Five. If memory serves, they do a higher clearance oil pan and make sure the intake will fit.

https://factoryfiveengines.com

This website links to the ones specific for Factory Five. These are as plug and play as you can get. I would contact BluePrint and see if they can do a blacked out version. They are VERY helpful.

The 302 engine will sound great.

[FLPBFoot]

Interesting, the Cruiser 302 indicates it is a "NEW Blue Print Cast Iron Block" while the Factory Five Engines 302 still indicates it is a "hand picked seasoned block". Wonder when BP will be using their new blocks for the FFR engines? Looks like I need to give them a call as well for our 2nd build.

[MB750]

Interesting, the Cruiser 302 indicates it is a "NEW Blue Print Cast Iron Block" while the Factory Five Engines 302 still indicates it is a "hand picked seasoned block". Wonder when BP will be using their new blocks for the FFR engines? Looks like I need to give them a call as well for our 2nd build.

That's a good question there. The "FFR" special carb'd 302 is $8000 and comes with a used 2-bolt main block. The Cruiser 302 with the same fixin's and a NEW 4-bolt block is $6250. Is an oil pan the only difference?

[narly1]

As a data point the 302 that I built for myself came out to about $16K CAD.

Much like building a FFR kit, I can't put a price on the experience though.

Earl

[MPTech]

For not much more $, you can upgrade your dreams to a 347! (NOW is the time to consider it)

[moosestang]

Interesting, the Cruiser 302 indicates it is a "NEW Blue Print Cast Iron Block" while the Factory Five Engines 302 still indicates it is a "hand picked seasoned block". Wonder when BP will be using their new blocks for the FFR engines? Looks like I need to give them a call as well for our 2nd build.

I emailed them and they said they are changing over to the new blocks. I assume for everything. "Thank you for your inquiry! We are actually transitioning all of our 306s to 302s built with new cast blocks. They get the same range of horsepower and torque." yeah, i kinda want the new block. I figure a 302 will run cooler and be a little more manageable on the street. I'll have to call them and see what will and won't fit.

[moosestang]

For not much more $, you can upgrade your dreams to a 347! (NOW is the time to consider it)

I'm also considering the 347. I see a lot of fox body mustangs running 347's and they are beasts. Can a short wheel base 2500lb car put down all the power with the right tire/gear though? I assume the 427 is a spinning death machine no matter what.

[MPTech]

I had a warmed-up 302 (280hp at the wheels, guessing 350(?) at the crank)), don't get me wrong, it is more than enough for these cars!
I got a great deal on it and drove it over 35k miles. I don't regret my 302.
But the last couple years I've been wanting more and when it started having issues, I had it completely rebuilt to 347 last winter. It dynoed @ just shy of 500hp, can't wait!

[nucjd19]

I'm also considering the 347. I see a lot of fox body mustangs running 347's and they are beasts. Can a short wheel base 2500lb car put down all the power with the right tire/gear though? I assume the 427 is a spinning death machine no matter what.

I have a BPE 347 stroker with 415 hp and 410ft/lbs and yea it can give you more than you ever would want. I can't imagine a 427 in it. I was going to go with the 306 but after talking with BPE it was an easy choice to just bump it up. I have zero regrets with that engine choice.

[GoDadGo]

I've had the opportunity to ride in and drive several Factory Five Roadsters.

MK-3 302 SBF 4-Link Rear
MK-4 331 SBF 3-Link Rear (Built By Mike Everson)
MK-4 351 SBF 3-Link Rear (Heath J. / Friend)
MK-4 396 F.E. I.R.S. Rear (Donny S. / Friend)
MK-4 383 SBC 3-Link Rear (Mine / Redbone)
MK-4 4.6 Supercharged Ford Modular Motor 3-Link

The cars are in order as to how fast they were using the "Butt Based Dyno" that God gave me which isn't very accurate; however, my pal Heath's car with the 351 is a great balance between power and control. My car is a bit much (11:30 @ 124 MPH) to cover the quarter mile and not easy to drive on standard 285/40-17 Nitto 555's.

With that said, I agree with the good Doctor from Alabama that a 347 will give you thrills for years with no regrets.

Good Luck & Happy Motor Picking!

[MB750]

From what I've gathered over a few years of reading engine recommendations, it's the Cobras with the most "balance" that seem to be the most fun to drive. That seems to be an engine in the 350ci range.

If/when I build another FFR, I'm going to build a high-reving 306. Something capable of 7500 rpm safely (balanced rotating assembly, lightweight valvetrain, etc...). I feel like 500 ft-lbs of torque at cruising speeds isn't a recipe for a comfortable cruise.

[CraigS]

Although 300 is plenty to have fun with, I would agree that 450 or so is a nice HP. W/ anything over 250 on standard tires they will spin up easily in 1st. When you get into the 350 range it spins up in 2nd. I had about 450 in my 408 and, even w/ 315 dif, nailing it in 2nd at 2500 or so spun up the tires. That was a lot of fun and both the 3 link and IRS spun em up just perfectly w/ no hop at all. One thing to think about is the gas pedal. I modified mine so the travel was longer than standard so I had better fine carb control.

[moosestang]

I've had the opportunity to ride in and drive several Factory Five Roadsters.

MK-3 302 SBF 4-Link Rear
MK-4 331 SBF 3-Link Rear (Built By Mike Everson)
MK-4 351 SBF 3-Link Rear (Heath J. / Friend)
MK-4 396 F.E. I.R.S. Rear (Donny S. / Friend)
MK-4 383 SBC 3-Link Rear (Mine / Redbone)
MK-4 4.6 Supercharged Ford Modular Motor 3-Link

The cars are in order as to how fast they were using the "Butt Based Dyno" that God gave me which isn't very accurate; however, my pal Heath's car with the 351 is a great balance between power and control. My car is a bit much (11:30 @ 124 MPH) to cover the quarter mile and not easy to drive on standard 285/40-17 Nitto 555's.

With that said, I agree with the good Doctor from Alabama that a 347 will give you thrills for years with no regrets.

Good Luck & Happy Motor Picking!

I happen to have a 4.6 supercharged ford modular motor, with 4.10 gears no less and it has 305/35r19 drag radials in the rear at all times just to keep it on the road at full throttle(previously 295/45r17). I'd like to avoid that with this car and have something my wife can possible drive without losing it while passing someone. In all honesty she'll probably never even ride in this car, but i'd still like traction without having to run a drag radial. She says i have no room to build a car, ha! I just need to throw out that old computer chair and there's plenty of room.

187201

[JimStone]

I happen to have a 4.6 supercharged ford modular motor, with 4.10 gears no less and it has 305/35r19 drag radials in the rear at all times just to keep it on the road at full throttle(previously 295/45r17). I'd like to avoid that with this car and have something my wife can possible drive without losing it while passing someone. In all honesty she'll probably never even ride in this car, but i'd still like traction without having to run a drag radial. She says i have no room to build a car, ha! I just need to throw out that old computer chair and there's plenty of room.

187201

You might need to give me the Ariens zero turn mower to make room. Looks like you have another mower anyway.

[moosestang]

You might need to give me the Ariens zero turn mower to make room. Looks like you have another mower anyway.

You can have that craftsman 2000 GT! All the safety equipment has been disabled so i'll need you to sign a waiver. I need to rivet some sheet metal to the deck to cover the holes.:D The ariens is a great mower by the way, 52 inch with 21.5hp kawasaki motor. bought mine from lowes with a 10% military discount for about $3k out the door. it's gone up in price $300 in a year!