302 Clevo rebuild questions

I am going to rebuild a 302 Clevo to put in an XA I am restoring.I
would like some feedback on the performance aspect of this motor.I
know there are plenty out there that would say to fit the 351 crank
and rods,however money is a real issue in this project and I am not
going to spend more than is necessary.However I intend to spend what
is necessary to rebuild the motor properly.I am not looking for a mega
horsepower motor either,but my V8 experience up til now has only been
with holdens.
Basically I will be happy if I get 308 holden power out of the
motor.I understand the Clevos are heavier in the crank than a 308 so
in standard form the 302 lacks a little.I already have a brand new 600
vac sec holley,Weiand X-cellerator manifold and Genie headers.The
heads will be be rebuilt with new valves and Crow heavy duty valve
springs.It will have a Crow cam that they have recommended that is
basically the lumpiest that wont require a stall convertor.It will be
rebuilt using an Acl "race rebuild kit"(I think this means the
bearings and rings are better quality,but as yet I dont know if the
pistons are flat tops or domed.Is 40thou feasable or is 30 safer?.The
block is late model (XE I think as it is black and electronic
ignition)
I may upgrade the ignition,but is in the way distant future.
I would like to hear ideas from anyone else running nice 302 motors as
to how they perform and wether or not I am on the right track.Also I
would like to use 3.00 gearing or something close.I have a C4 auto.I
feel the 2.7 is a bit high,although nice on the highway.Thanks
.

Generally 40thou is fine. My last performance 351C was 40thou over it was
making somewhere in the vacinity of 480-520hp. Look at a 3.23 or 3.5
depending on the cam. 2.75's and 3.0's labour the motor too much. It's even
worse after a cam is fitted.



<hopper86 DeleteThis @bigpond.com> wrote in message
news:1173867364.450311.296170@l77g2000hsb.googlegroups.com...
>I am going to rebuild a 302 Clevo to put in an XA I am restoring.I
> would like some feedback on the performance aspect of this motor.I
> know there are plenty out there that would say to fit the 351 crank
> and rods,however money is a real issue in this project and I am not
> going to spend more than is necessary.However I intend to spend what
> is necessary to rebuild the motor properly.I am not looking for a mega
> horsepower motor either,but my V8 experience up til now has only been
> with holdens.
> Basically I will be happy if I get 308 holden power out of the
> motor.I understand the Clevos are heavier in the crank than a 308 so
> in standard form the 302 lacks a little.I already have a brand new 600
> vac sec holley,Weiand X-cellerator manifold and Genie headers.The
> heads will be be rebuilt with new valves and Crow heavy duty valve
> springs.It will have a Crow cam that they have recommended that is
> basically the lumpiest that wont require a stall convertor.It will be
> rebuilt using an Acl "race rebuild kit"(I think this means the
> bearings and rings are better quality,but as yet I dont know if the
> pistons are flat tops or domed.Is 40thou feasable or is 30 safer?.The
> block is late model (XE I think as it is black and electronic
> ignition)
> I may upgrade the ignition,but is in the way distant future.
> I would like to hear ideas from anyone else running nice 302 motors as
> to how they perform and wether or not I am on the right track.Also I
> would like to use 3.00 gearing or something close.I have a C4 auto.I
> feel the 2.7 is a bit high,although nice on the highway.Thanks
> .
>