I've been working on putting a 65 390 in my 68 mustang and wanted some advice on performance parts. I'm looking to build up the 390 to be a street motor but can also take it to the strip. What would be a good first step into the building process?

 

What performance goal, how much money are you willing to spend? Do you have a trans a suspension that will handle it? Chassis strengthening?

 

i want to try for at least 500hp. I dont have to do it all at once im trying to get parts when i can and have everything together at the end so i can put it all together. i'm workiung on strengthening and i'm getting ready to get heavy duty suspension.

 

Suspension, chassis reinforcement, transmission, differential, stock internals should hold it, but I'd use good pistons. Good heads(or cleaned up and slightly ported stock heads) hydraulic roller cam conversion(custom grind), matching intake yadda yadda. About $20,000 later(or more) you'll have a reliable 500hp street car.

 

You can get 500hp from a small block with half the weight.If you really want a big block forget the fe a 429/460 can be stroked a lot more and can make a lot more power.But power takes money i would start adding up everything see how much its gonna take first.

 

650cid or gtfo.

 

Network 54 FE Forum

One of the best Ford engine building sites on the net!

 

well i was going to try and find a 460 but the 390 came at that time and at a great price. it was complete along with a c6 transmission.

 

Make sure its a fe not a ft the ft is a truck engine they used different motor mounts.

 

Yeah its a fe motor it came out of a car i made sure to check before i went and got it.