[stillnotfastenough4me]

Hey guys, i just picked up an 88 gt hatchback. i am debating on wether i should stick with the 302 or if i should use the 390 that i have in garage. how hard would it be to put in there? also i have a tranny for the 390, it is a c4 i beleive. again how hard would that be to put in or is there another tranny that would hook up to the 390 that would be better or easier. looking at pulling around 475 horse when all said and done. woulf it make more sense just to use the 302 and stroke it? thanks in advance for any replys.

[stang fanatic]

stroking your 302 would definitely be a lighter build-up than the 390

[militarygt]

well as the old saying goes. "theres no replacement for displacement"

[IcantDo55]

Originally Posted by militarygt well as the old saying goes. "theres no replacement for displacement"

NOT! Forced induction!

[1slo5.0]

Why would you want to use an FE motor???????

[5literJeff]

I agree with Darrell, the FE series of motors came out in 1958 as a replacement for the Y-block series. They were in production until 1976 when the '385' series of engines replaced them (aka 429-460's).

Sure they were great for the time and good performance and I love old ford muscle engines as much as the next ford guy, but they are a bit dated nowadays. Unless you really, really, want to have a one of a kind car, it seems like to me the limitations would outweigh the benefits.

[stillnotfastenough4me]

only reason i am pondering it is because the 390 has been in the garage for a while now and would like to do something with it. seeing as i would be looking at tearing down the existing 302 completely anyway it seemed like it might be smarter to build up the 390 while still being able to drive the car with the stock 302 in it. would like to have that one of a kind car: rip the 5.0 decals off and put some 6.4 decals on there . nobody would know what the heck was in there so how will it fit?? and how hard to put it in. the tranny is a c6 will that fit decent.

[1slo5.0]

It will be a real tight fit for sure. I've never seen one in a fox body but FE motors are wide. The C6 will definitely not fit without some convincing. In all honesty you'd be better off building a 347, 351W or 408. I'm sure either one of those engines would be cheaper and make more horsepower.

[5literJeff]

Also keep in mind that the 390 is considerably heavier then a small block 302.

Nonethless if you are still interested heres two good links for FE engines.

FE V8- 332, 352, 360, 390, 406, 410, 427, 428 Forums

http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=51

Ford FE.com
http://www.network54.com/Forum/74182/

[stillnotfastenough4me]

you guys talked me out of it. too much weight. my bud has a 347 so i don't wnat to do that. might sound like a stupid question but does anyone put blowers on a stroked motor? lets say 331 stroker? what kind of horsepower would a 351W built up nice with a nice blower average. would it top 500 and still be a reliable ride?

[Bossman351]

The 390 is a damn good motor for a work truck but is not a good choice for a performance application. It would pull like nobodys business but will redline at about 4000 rpms. There is pretty much NO aftermarket for them and if you find it it will cost you. Ive never even heard of a set of 390 fox headers plus it will require a big block trans. I have a 79 f-250 with a 390 in it and THAT was a tight fit (so tight that the power steering pump almost rubs the steering sector) so I could imagine trying to shoehorn one into a fox. My advice, deffinately go with a small block (302, 351 or any stroker based off of one of these motors) but if you insist on having the cubes, go with a REAL big block. Build you a 478 or a 514.

[stang fanatic]

go with a REAL big block. Build you a 478 or a 514

.

+1 on that...build a good 460 block up...plenty of swap parts to put that in a foxbody

[superstang390]

i am also planing on puting a 390 in a fox i am in the process of doing that right now it is not that hard and it is going to be worth it canton racing make a oil pan for the swap and mortor mount out of a 61 ford will so it is a lot cheaper than building a 347 or 408

[ReverendDexter]

I think the 390 swap would be cool, but you'd need some high gears to make it worth it.

Also, why not grab a 427 crank and make yourself a 410 merc?

[1slo5.0]

Originally Posted by superstang390 i am also planing on puting a 390 in a fox i am in the process of doing that right now it is not that hard and it is going to be worth it canton racing make a oil pan for the swap and mortor mount out of a 61 ford will so it is a lot cheaper than building a 347 or 408

Worth it for what? For towing? How is an FE build up going to be cheaper than a 347? That math doesn't jive.

That's cool that you are doing something different but I wouldn't go as far as to say it will be cheaper.

[ih8chevy]

yo man let me help you, trust me when i say that the 390 is a great motor for towing and performance, but not in a fox, it wouldnt work dont do it, just find another big block, the 390 was a great motor and for those of you who say its not, well let me say this, back in 61 it was pulling a 4400 vehicle w/ a 3 speed manual shifter on the column (three on the tree) for those of you who didnt get it, and it was runnin 13.2's thats impressive i dont care who u are. it was taking down the chevy 409 and the chrysler 413. the prob is after 62 ford went with newer bigger motors and kinda just kept the 390 as a back up big block. so is it worth it in the fox no, u can build other things for cheaper and better power. Find a 460 out of a junk yard and use that.

[brynfiv]

If you want someone to look and say what the hell is that, build a clevor with australian 351 cleveland heads. They arent that hard to get, just takes a few mods and a special intake because cleveland thermostat housing was on block. I garantie it'll run like a mofo on a 347 or 351w block with the right roller cam. special pistons are required because of the canted big ass valves. A 302 boss was basically a tougher built 302 with 4 barrel cleveland heads. Aussie heads are a mix between the pros
of 2v and 4v american cleveland heads put together.

[ray 390]

i disagree with you on the 302 a better choice cause it would cost you more money to produce the power that you want out of it than it to get it out of a 390. the 390 is a better built motor and can handle it a lot better than a 302.and yes it would take some mods but if you are wanting to build a one of a kind car isnt that what is about, mods not originality and look back at your 60s cars even the mustangs they came stock with 390. and there is two different types of 390 the fe was in cars and a ft that was in trucks. sorry every body but the 302 is a shit motor always was and always will be. so be for you start running your mouths look up the numbers for your self. 390 will always beat the 302 on the track and in your pocket.

[ray 390]

Originally Posted by 1slo5.0 Worth it for what? For towing? How is an FE build up going to be cheaper than a 347? That math doesn't jive. That's cool that you are doing something different but I wouldn't go as far as to say it will be cheaper.

it is cheaper what do you have to do to get 450 hp out of a 302 and what would you have to do to get that out of a 390 a cam and thats it.so you do the math.

[302Army187]

you bumped a five year old thread for your stupid opinions....... REALLY!?


'tard.