Looking for opinions with reasons for best motor for a 65 coup
Stock it had a 6 banger
Want to be able to drive it anywhere any time.
Have purchased new 9" true loc rear end with 3.70 gears and disc brakes, have T5 from 93 GT coming.
Would like to have 300+ HP.
Not sure wheather to go carb or EFI and not sure of limitations of this car. If EFI how difficult would that be.

 

302

 

289

 

+++++11111 on the 289!!!!!!!

 

302s are like @ss holes everyone has one same is true with the chevy 350

 

Is a 426 Keith Black Hemi out of the question?....

 

might have to beef her up a little for the 426

 

Ok, some advise from someone who has been driving these cars for 42 years....You can't safely rev a 302 past 6000 due to the 5.09 rod length. It loads the non-thrust side and breaks the tang. Ask me how I know this.If you stay with the T-5 you cannot excede 325 lbft of torque so that limits you to 300 cid or so.Go to Speed-O-Motive and check their long (5.4in...same as Trans-Am BOSS-302) rod 302. With this combo on the rotating assembly you should be able to safely rev 6500-7000 if you use the main-bearing girdle. Your torque should stay below the nasty 325 that the T-5 will hold.
NOW...if you are willing to go with a Tremec..........347 stroker fro Speed-O-Motive.
BTW...if truth be known...Speed-O-Motive makes most of the stroker kits you buy from the catologs....you can just buy direct and save money.

 

can the T5 be beefed up to withstand more torque

 

Get a newer 302 roller motor, change the intake and cam, B303 or a E303,add a carb. Drive it all day anywhere and have good power. Want more, add set of heads and I would change the gear to 4:10..