I have a 1996 Bronco with the 302, but for a quite a long time I have wished to put in a built 351 which right now I am considering buying from some junkyard, a 1996 351. But I have some thoughts of using a 460, yeah I heard all those jokes.

Heres some of the mods I'd do:
Forged Pistons
Forged Cranksaft
Crane Compu-cam (availiable for 460)
shorty headers
new intake manifold (availiable for 460)
.030 bored
probably vavle heads from Ford
ARP rod bolts and stuff
roller rockers
Power Programer since this has OBD-II

The rest is undecided.
I know the details of a swap like this, but I want your opinion of which engine I should have, either the 351 or 460. Why does the 460 have a snake like part that the throttle body is attached to?
BTW the 460 will run $900 and up, but I can get a 351 for $550 no wiring. I know Id need the ECM, ignition, and the wiring. But for the 460 don't I need a new tranny since I have the E4OD? What kind of tranny?

I don't believe this is a dumb question, but most of you out there have more wheeling experiences, and know the answer I'm looking for.
Thanks

With the 351W you have a direct swap/upgrade. It was an option for the Bronco.
With the 460 you're looking at a whole 'nother ball of wax. It will require a tranny swap, look in F-250/F-350 as this is the only trucks to still have the 460 by '96. Motor mount towers. With the bigger motor don't expect you're axles to last too long if you really like the skinny pedal. Axle upgrade,more $$$$. Plus the legality of smog as it is a dirtier motor only offered in the higher GVW of a 3/4 or 1-ton rig. The Bronco may not be allowed to have this motor since the 460 was never smogable for the lighter GVW for these years.


Eric

I actually did a 302-351w swap in my 82, and it is actually pretty straight forward. Basically a "bolt in" if you can consider an engine swap a bolt in.....no no mounts needed, and pretty straight forward. Has plenty of power if it is built right.

That being said I am never happy, and always want more. Wish i would've gone w/ a 460, although it would have been a good bit more work, and depending on where you live may not be legal.

Which one you put in is really going to depend on whether or not the 460 is even legal (if that matters to you), How much $$ you want to put in, and exactly how much work you are willing to do.

well, this is where you're going to have to be honest with yourself.
If you just want a little more power, want to be able to say you did a motor swap, and need to replace your motor anyway, then the 351 swap makes complete sense.
If you are actually doing a motor swap because you realize that you've got a big heavy pig, and know that a small block motor with less than $10k into it will not make the thing pull the way you want it to, then bigblck is the only way to go.

but be honest w/ yourself from the start.
1st, no way, no how will a bigblock be emmissions legal. if you live in a no testing area.....no problem.
2nd, if you do really want to make that truck move, go bigblock and don't look back. I've watched too many people drop (at least) $10k into modern small blocks. bored, stroked, mass-air equipped....and certainly, they run real strong, but when you put the hammer down next to my old heavy bigblock pig, they may be a little faster, but NOT $10k faster. You can certainly build a small block to beat a bigblock, but if you build sayed bigblock, well, watch out!!

and like someone else sayed, bigblocks are also hard on parts, so that will start a whole nother snowball of money spending.

good luck!!

I do not have to worry about emissions.

well if ya dont' have to worry about smog and you dont' have to much of a money issue, go with the 460 and haul ass.

Stroked 351. Easy swap and you have the "sleeper" of a small block.

Originally posted by MWellner
I do not have to worry about emissions.




Ditto :D

BB and forget it.

I am going as close as I can with my engine within legal limits that is. Damn sniffer doods.

I say go with the big block as well. I put one into my F250 in place of a warmed up 351M, and all I can say is WOW! Another thing I would add to your list of mods is balance the rotating assembly. It wont add much (if any) horespower, but at higher revs, your motor will stay together longer. Why do you want a forged crankshaft?? Do you plan on racing this thing or something? A stock crank should suit your needs below 6500 RPM's. I wouldn't use shortie headers, rumor has it that they are not much better than stock manifolds. I am told that the tri-Y setip is the way to go. A good set of mufflers, and 2.5" exaust wont hurt any either. Believe it or not, mileage wont be much worse with a 460 over a 351. 500 ft# of torque with just a little bit of work and effort, or 500ft# of torque working a motor to death....

Anways, thats my .02 cents

Thanks for that advice Masterbeavis, I would go with tri-y, but I'd used forged because I believe in overbuild so the engine can handle high rpms and last longer.

Originally posted by MWellner
Thanks for that advice Masterbeavis, I would go with tri-y, but I'd used forged because I believe in overbuild so the engine can handle high rpms and last longer.

If you want high RPM capabilities, you had better add a roller cam too, they make them mild enough not to wear out valvetraim parts. Also get some good H-beam rods. The HD football rods are good for ocasional 6500 RPM blasts, but not much more. (so I am told)

Go here for more 460 advice, these guys are good (http://www.network54.com/Hide/Forum/85220)