FE builders???

Robertson Racin · 10-02-2002, 03:51 PM

I'm wanting to get 500hp out of my 390, then I'm going to add 150hp NOS. Will the stock crank hold up?? If not, what will I need?? Or what is the weakest part of an FE motor??

gofastmercury · 10-02-2002, 11:25 PM

I think the weak part is the guy behind the wheel. lol.
I think your much further ahead to go to 351w, 460, 429, hell maybe a 302, than trying to that with an FE. Of cource, this just my own opion.
Had a 390, hated it, love my 460!

Robertson Racin · 10-03-2002, 05:32 AM

I would like to stay with the 390 since thats what came in the car stock... I don't think 500hp is asking much, since it has 320hp stock. I'm not to worried about the money, if thats what you mean by "Further Ahead". So why do you dislike the FE motors so much??

gofastmercury · 10-03-2002, 10:27 PM

Just my own experience. The 390 in my ranchero ran its best when it was a 2 barrel. I put alot of work in that motor, 4barrel,many diff. carbs,head work, different cams, new pistons(twice). Just was never happy. It didn't have the torque I was hoping for. It didn't rev. Had the worst gas millage I had ever had, around 8-9 around town. And then after all that work, the oil started to look like some white creamy foam. I started the 460 project, and havent looked back, Way more torque, Dam thing will light the tires up at will. Pulls my comet at 90mph with the gas 3/4 of a inch down. I like it alot, dam the FE's. IMO

thunderbolt · 10-04-2002, 12:21 PM

Let me start by saying I don't have personal experience here, but I have to agree with Mercury. FE's can be great motors but the 460 should be easier to build and get 500 hp out of. The old rule was one hp per cubic inch. You are 70 closer with the 460. And I think all and all, most people would agree that the 460 build up is cheaper.
If it were me, I would pull the 390 and save it as original. You can always put it back later if you want original. But as long as you are going to modify it, start with the best foundation you can.

Now that being said, I understand the desire to look orginal, and if that is the case, go for it. There is an older book "Ford Performance" by Pat Ganahl that will shed lots of light on the strengths and weaknesses of these engines.

Robertson Racin · 10-04-2002, 01:04 PM

OK, I have a couple of questions..
1. Does the 460 just bolt-in, or where do I find motor mounts??
2. Will the 460 bolt up to my current C6??
3. Who makes header for the 460 in a 69 fastback?
4. Is the 460 any taller?? I don't have much room if I keep the stock hood...

Sorry so many questions, up till now, I haven't considered a 460 swap..

gofastmercury · 10-04-2002, 09:50 PM

Quote:

1. Does the 460 just bolt-in, or where do I find motor mounts??

No it won't. I made mine from the old 390 ones. On my fairlane, I swicthed them side to side and fliped them upside down. Just had to drill one hole per side and sloted the others. But you can buy them from crites, for about $150

Quote:

2. Will the 460 bolt up to my current C6??

Nope again, need a 460 C-6, but the internals are the same.

Quote:

3. Who makes header for the 460 in a 69 fastback?

Crites, and some others, I think the Crites ones are 2" primary and a 3.5" collector, and about $350ish.

Quote:

4. Is the 460 any taller?? I don't have much room if I keep the stock hood...

All I can say about that, is that it fit in my ranchero with a performer intake.

Rev · 10-04-2002, 10:01 PM

I think the FE's are relatively heavy as compared to more modern blocks. I think Shelby does make heads and intakes as well as Edelbrock. You can make that 390 into a 450 HP engine with only easily available parts if you want. Weight will always be a factor though even with al heads, intake, etc.

Rev

69fastback · 10-05-2002, 10:31 AM

It is really easy to get a 390 into the 500 horsepower range. All you got to do is get an edlebrock performe rpm intake and heads and then call up comp cams and order a roller cam for it. Dont use the edlebrock cam it wont get you to 500 hp. Plus about a 800cfm carb. It is too easy. Teh edelbrock package works great. You can even get the roller rockers form comp cams that will go onto the aluminum edlebrock heads. If you are going to use the 150 shot of nitrous the weak point might be the crank. Scant just came out with a steal crank that is more than adiquate to handle over 600 hp. IF the money is not a problem add some eagle rods. I do alot of reseach on fe motors and find alot of them well into the 600 hp range and even beyond natural aspirated

mustangII460 · 10-07-2002, 03:16 AM

Id leave the 390 in your car being its a Mach 1 car.

Get you a 428 crank to swap in, yeilds 410. I believe the 390 rods work, but you'll need 410 pistons.

And add the rest of the bolt ons.

Always did like the 390's. If the block is not cracked.

10-02-2002, 03:51 PM	#1
Robertson Racin Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 14	FE builders??? I'm wanting to get 500hp out of my 390, then I'm going to add 150hp NOS. Will the stock crank hold up?? If not, what will I need?? Or what is the weakest part of an FE motor?? __________________ Father/Son Racing 03 Cobra 2.80 pulley Bassani exhaust Autologic chip UPR CAI Pro 5.0 shifter Boost by-pass NGK TR6 11'sec daily driver, on radials 69 MACH1 390 C6 4:11

10-02-2002, 11:25 PM	#2
gofastmercury Registered Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: calgary alberta canada Posts: 366	I think the weak part is the guy behind the wheel. lol. I think your much further ahead to go to 351w, 460, 429, hell maybe a 302, than trying to that with an FE. Of cource, this just my own opion. Had a 390, hated it, love my 460! __________________ 93LXcopcarSOLD14.3@96 @ 4500ft 2.02 60ft on street tires. my 67 ranchero NOT A 390 ANY MORE! 460! 3.70's cast manifolds, comp cams 262H, performer, 750DP 100K out of 79 F250 NEW(oct20/02)14.58@95mph 2.3 60 ft corrects to:13.86@100 66 merc comet351w, isky roller 600 lift 268/260@.050, vic jr. 700DP, 5000stall, 4.56's c-4, 3400lbs with driver 12.3@110 @ 4000ft 1.69 60 ft corrects to:11.69@115

10-03-2002, 05:32 AM	#3
Robertson Racin Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 14	I would like to stay with the 390 since thats what came in the car stock... I don't think 500hp is asking much, since it has 320hp stock. I'm not to worried about the money, if thats what you mean by "Further Ahead". So why do you dislike the FE motors so much?? __________________ Father/Son Racing 03 Cobra 2.80 pulley Bassani exhaust Autologic chip UPR CAI Pro 5.0 shifter Boost by-pass NGK TR6 11'sec daily driver, on radials 69 MACH1 390 C6 4:11

10-03-2002, 10:27 PM	#4
gofastmercury Registered Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: calgary alberta canada Posts: 366	Just my own experience. The 390 in my ranchero ran its best when it was a 2 barrel. I put alot of work in that motor, 4barrel,many diff. carbs,head work, different cams, new pistons(twice). Just was never happy. It didn't have the torque I was hoping for. It didn't rev. Had the worst gas millage I had ever had, around 8-9 around town. And then after all that work, the oil started to look like some white creamy foam. I started the 460 project, and havent looked back, Way more torque, Dam thing will light the tires up at will. Pulls my comet at 90mph with the gas 3/4 of a inch down. I like it alot, dam the FE's. IMO __________________ 93LXcopcarSOLD14.3@96 @ 4500ft 2.02 60ft on street tires. my 67 ranchero NOT A 390 ANY MORE! 460! 3.70's cast manifolds, comp cams 262H, performer, 750DP 100K out of 79 F250 NEW(oct20/02)14.58@95mph 2.3 60 ft corrects to:13.86@100 66 merc comet351w, isky roller 600 lift 268/260@.050, vic jr. 700DP, 5000stall, 4.56's c-4, 3400lbs with driver 12.3@110 @ 4000ft 1.69 60 ft corrects to:11.69@115

10-04-2002, 01:04 PM	#6
Robertson Racin Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 14	OK, I have a couple of questions.. 1. Does the 460 just bolt-in, or where do I find motor mounts?? 2. Will the 460 bolt up to my current C6?? 3. Who makes header for the 460 in a 69 fastback? 4. Is the 460 any taller?? I don't have much room if I keep the stock hood... Sorry so many questions, up till now, I haven't considered a 460 swap.. __________________ Father/Son Racing 03 Cobra 2.80 pulley Bassani exhaust Autologic chip UPR CAI Pro 5.0 shifter Boost by-pass NGK TR6 11'sec daily driver, on radials 69 MACH1 390 C6 4:11

10-04-2002, 12:21 PM	#5
thunderbolt Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1998 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 380	Let me start by saying I don't have personal experience here, but I have to agree with Mercury. FE's can be great motors but the 460 should be easier to build and get 500 hp out of. The old rule was one hp per cubic inch. You are 70 closer with the 460. And I think all and all, most people would agree that the 460 build up is cheaper. If it were me, I would pull the 390 and save it as original. You can always put it back later if you want original. But as long as you are going to modify it, start with the best foundation you can. Now that being said, I understand the desire to look orginal, and if that is the case, go for it. There is an older book "Ford Performance" by Pat Ganahl that will shed lots of light on the strengths and weaknesses of these engines.

10-04-2002, 10:01 PM	#8
Rev Registered Member Join Date: Nov 1998 Location: Houston, Tx. Posts: 3,887	390 is heavy I think the FE's are relatively heavy as compared to more modern blocks. I think Shelby does make heads and intakes as well as Edelbrock. You can make that 390 into a 450 HP engine with only easily available parts if you want. Weight will always be a factor though even with al heads, intake, etc. Rev __________________ '66 Coupe, 306, 350-375 HP, C-4, 13.07 e.t., 104.8 mph, 1/4 mi. O.B.C. #2 '66 coupe

10-05-2002, 10:31 AM	#9
69fastback IRAQ VET Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: high desert California Posts: 1,480	It is really easy to get a 390 into the 500 horsepower range. All you got to do is get an edlebrock performe rpm intake and heads and then call up comp cams and order a roller cam for it. Dont use the edlebrock cam it wont get you to 500 hp. Plus about a 800cfm carb. It is too easy. Teh edelbrock package works great. You can even get the roller rockers form comp cams that will go onto the aluminum edlebrock heads. If you are going to use the 150 shot of nitrous the weak point might be the crank. Scant just came out with a steal crank that is more than adiquate to handle over 600 hp. IF the money is not a problem add some eagle rods. I do alot of reseach on fe motors and find alot of them well into the 600 hp range and even beyond natural aspirated

10-07-2002, 03:16 AM	#10
mustangII460 Factoy Five Roadster Join Date: May 2000 Location: Sevier Co,Tennessee Posts: 1,681	Id leave the 390 in your car being its a Mach 1 car. Get you a 428 crank to swap in, yeilds 410. I believe the 390 rods work, but you'll need 410 pistons. And add the rest of the bolt ons. Always did like the 390's. If the block is not cracked. __________________ Frank

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