Here's why:
* Different Exhaust Manifolds: The Cummins turbocharger is designed to bolt to a Cummins exhaust manifold. The 302 has a completely different exhaust manifold. You'd need a custom exhaust manifold fabricated to accommodate the Cummins turbo.
* Different Turbine Housing: The turbine housing on the Cummins turbo is sized and shaped for the exhaust flow characteristics of the Cummins diesel. A gasoline engine like the 302 will have a very different exhaust flow profile, resulting in poor turbocharger efficiency and potentially damaging the turbo.
* Different Wastegate: The wastegate on the Cummins turbo is calibrated for the diesel engine's boost requirements. Using it on a gasoline engine could lead to overboosting, damaging the engine.
* Different Oil and Coolant Systems: The turbocharger needs oil and coolant lines for lubrication and cooling. The fittings and requirements for these are completely different between the two engines.
* Different Boost Levels: Diesel engines typically run lower boost than gasoline engines. A Cummins turbo might not generate enough boost for a performance 302 build.
While you *could* potentially adapt a Cummins turbo with extensive fabrication and engineering, it's a massively complex project that is generally not cost-effective. It would be far easier and more efficient to source a turbocharger specifically designed for a Ford 302 or a similar small-block V8 engine.
