289 vs 390

[pakoris]

Hi Guys,

What are the real advantage over the 289?. I heard due to the weight of 390,  no real performance benifit other than the increased torque.

Which one is easy to maintain and hassle free?.

Also can anyone let me know what things need to be done to get roadworthy? I am talking about general things.

Cheers,
PG

[GLENN 70]

Depends on what you want big block or small block ,what model mustang do you have . I know i will cause some sh..t  here but i dont like big blocks in mustangs unless factory fitted . To heavy to big in engine bay and dear for parts . 289 s are good little engines and with a few bolt on can go quite nice ,or stroke it for more power .Stay small block 289/302/351w or strokers for them 331/347/363/393/408/427.

[BLKPNY]

I sort of agree with Glenn.... I'd only ever choose a proper big block, like a 429 or 460, and then I'd be stroking it out to 540ci.
The aftermarket windsor blocks can go all the way out to 460ci, while having a stock appearance.

[GLENN 70]

There are other stroker combos ,418 is common and i think 427 is a nice limit 454 is pushing it ,dont know the 460 from 351w combo . In a 65/66 a 347 works nice around 430/ 450 HP ,a  67/70 body 351w is the go stroked or not 300/500 HP . i hate extractors on 351w LHD  drivers side most have a pipe going over the plugs from front to back . A bit off the track here from just a 289 to a 390 BB .

[Macka]

I have a stoker in my 351W and it gives you big block performance with the nice light weight and looks of the Windsor.  Only use good quality parts and also fit a girdle to the bottom end if you intend to really rev it hard.  It produces so much torque which is great for the street.  Looks stock, but give the big blocks a real scare.

My extractors don't have the over pipe and fit in quite well.. 

[pakoris]

Thnaks guys, is it a big job to get some more power out of 289 4v?. What sort of price bracket we talking about?

[Frank70]

You can get more power no probs while still keeping 289 cubes :

1. Alloy heads - say $2K
2. New intake - say $350
3. Bigger carb - say $500
4. headers and exhaust - say $2k (not sure about this) you could probably just get headers - $500-600
5. New dizzy , leads etc. - $600

Maybe a cam too.

so for about $4k you will have a pretty strong motor assuming you start with a healthy motor that doesn't need a rebuild. They are AU prices - you could do better from the US etc. Or you could get your stocky iron heads ported with bigger valves. Not sure how much that would be.

But unless you do the work yourself you are up for labour, maybe machining etc.

If it was me, I would sell the 289 (or keep it if you ever want to go back to stock) and buy a crate motor like :

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/FORD-5-0-302-WINDSOR-GT40-HEADS-FULLY-RECO-ENGINE-COMPLETE-50OZ-/260872297038?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3cbd335a4e

Cheers,
Frank.

[pakoris]

Thanks Frank, must appriricated. Do you know anyone in Melbourne who do these sort of work. The engine had fully rebuilt done about 1000 miles ago. So it's a very strong motor.

[GLENN 70]

comes down to how much HP you want ,if you have a 289  4v now you have around 225 hp give or take . If it is an auto you will have to do some work in that area . My 66 has a 347 with 440 HP and goes well ,not the fastest muzzy around but still ok .

[pakoris]

Hi Glenn,

If it's an auto what work do I need to do?.

[GLENN 70]

As soon as you put a fair cam in it you will need to put a hi stall converter in ,and a shift kit .If you stay very mild in cam you can just get away with stock ,depends what you want in HP  and go .Where does it stop . My 66 runs 12.3 at 113 mph ,would run 11s easy with a bigger hi stall ,lower diff gears and maybe a 750 holley carb .Its set up for hwy cruising .

[brent65]

Pakoris it all depends on your budget and what you want to do with your car if you want to circuit race it then go the small block as handling and a balanced set up will be the more important issue but if you want to drag it then the big blocks will win that argument any day. Remember anything you can do to a small block you can also do to a big block. The 289 and 390 are both great motors and I have have had both but the 289 works very hard to get good performance out of it as with all small blocks they are going to be working much, much harder to get the same power and torque as a big block.

If our going to build a 390 then build a 428CJ they not much different and the 428CJ rated by ford at 335HP for a bunch of reasons but it was actually pushing well in excess of 400HP back in the day and they do it very, very easily and they will do it with much better torque figures than small blocks. The big blocks can have substantial weight reduction by using Ali heads, Ali manifold and a set quality of headers then with a cam and descent ignition you will have more HP & torque than most small blocks can dream of on tap and the engine won't be working very hard to do it.

The FE block and engine is a really good design for it's age and incredibly strong, especially the bottom end you will get a easy 500HP out of one of these without too much effort and strain on the engine so it would be my choice for a street or strip type car.

Stock 69 Mach 1 GT3904V's were running low 13's new with 3.0 diffs

[Frank70]

Thanks Frank, must appriricated. Do you know anyone in Melbourne who do these sort of work. The engine had fully rebuilt done about 1000 miles ago. So it's a very strong motor.

I dont know anyone personally that I have used. I am going the crate motor option - alloy headed 351w with 400hp in my 70.
Plenty of go. My car is a manual.
If I want more, then maybe a Vortech/Paxton type supercharger. Had one on a previous car and I am a big fan of them.

Cheers,
Frank.

[junior]

would only be interested in a big block if factory fitted or if I was going for the over the top MASSIVE stroker engine ie: 500ci+ otherwise, wow, a little small block strocked goes like a rocket and LOVE the sound of a nutty little revver.

[brent65]

Yeah I agree that unless it is a factory big block forget it as the suspension and mounts all need proper re-enforcing, but you guys that are putting 450+HP motors into small block mustangs should do so with caution and should probaly consider some strengthening as they just aren't designed to take that sort of power, you may just find your engine sitting on the tarmac on day, LOL.

[pakoris]

Thanks so much guys for a great information provided. I feel really welcome here as a newbie :)

[GLENN 70]

A one piece export brace and monti carlo bar helps ,in 67,8,9,70 models weld up those towers to stop them cracking .

[66 Stang]

I have been told the 289 is a pretty solid reliable motor, just rebuilt mine, stage 1 cam, manifold, carby headers, made a huge difference, i am not interested in drag racing, just cruising, and it goes well for that purpose.

[brent65]

289's are a great motor have had a few but they can get a little stressed when chasing 300+ HP

[Meaty0]

Hi Guys,

What are the real advantage over the 289?. I heard due to the weight of 390,  no real performance benifit other than the increased torque.

Which one is easy to maintain and hassle free?.

Also can anyone let me know what things need to be done to get roadworthy? I am talking about general things.

Cheers,
PG

I'm going through all the Roadworthy business myself and it depends a lot on which state you live in.  Here in QLD, you have to have LO2 compliance which covers things like headlights, seat belts etc.  If it's been converted to RHD, you may also have to supply an engineers report and compliance plate too.  It also seems to depend on what modifications you plan on doing.  Putting a 390 big block into a '65 or '66 would require major engine bay mods which would probably require a machinery inspection by the state authority to make sure it's street legal.  In South Australia, you just probably wouldn't be able to register it at all!

[Frank70]

An argument for the 390 .. Check out the 390 stroker build in Sept. Mustang Monthly ... Tasty !

Cheers,
Frank.

[66 Hertz]

try here....

http://www.mustangmonthly.com/techarticles/mump_1209_01_how_to_build_a_stroker_390_fe/

[Ash]

This is also a brilliant read for an FE build. Hell, even if you are not building an FE this is a brilliant read!

http://www.ffcars.com/forums/46-big-block-roadster-builds/268376-engine-build-thread-427ci-fe-big-block.html

[Macka]

Pakoris, which way did you go??

[pakoris]

Leaning towards stroker engine. What your thoughts?

Pakoris, which way did you go??