How fast
2nd Gear Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 439
From: MO
1st Gear Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 123
From: Indiana
There's nothing wrong with the stock 289, but if you want performance, you're going to have to do some upgrades. Swapping out the 2 bbl for a Holley 4bbl and improving the intake manifold should be step one! Headers help out a tremendous amount as well.
The main thing that's going to slow you down is the 3 speed. A five speed swap is something I would consider before an engine swap. Of course, back in the day my dad could run low 13s all weekend with a 3 speed and a hopped-up 289, so don't let people on here talk you down too much. It's worth it to keep the original engine!!! Owning a classic car is about more than speed. Remember that 64-66 cars weren't originally muscle cars, they were pony cars. A pony car is a long hooded car with European styling and a sporty feel. The Mustang became a muscle car when Ford introduced the 428 Cobra Jet in the Mach 1. Now THAT was a force to be dealt with at the drag strip.
To answer your question, I have a 200ci 6 Cylinder (the smallest engine you could get in 66) that has been rebuilt less than 10,000 miles ago, bored slightly over, has split headers, and has a 2bbl Holley. It will do 0-60 in a little over 10 seconds. I've had it up to 90 mph, but when you get up to that speed it's not the engine that you're worried about... it's the dinosaur suspension and the non-existent safety features!!!!
The main thing that's going to slow you down is the 3 speed. A five speed swap is something I would consider before an engine swap. Of course, back in the day my dad could run low 13s all weekend with a 3 speed and a hopped-up 289, so don't let people on here talk you down too much. It's worth it to keep the original engine!!! Owning a classic car is about more than speed. Remember that 64-66 cars weren't originally muscle cars, they were pony cars. A pony car is a long hooded car with European styling and a sporty feel. The Mustang became a muscle car when Ford introduced the 428 Cobra Jet in the Mach 1. Now THAT was a force to be dealt with at the drag strip.
To answer your question, I have a 200ci 6 Cylinder (the smallest engine you could get in 66) that has been rebuilt less than 10,000 miles ago, bored slightly over, has split headers, and has a 2bbl Holley. It will do 0-60 in a little over 10 seconds. I've had it up to 90 mph, but when you get up to that speed it's not the engine that you're worried about... it's the dinosaur suspension and the non-existent safety features!!!!
Last edited by 200ci66; Jul 13, 2011 at 03:11 PM.
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 23
From: Texas
1st Gear Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 123
From: Indiana
When we hit 90 mph with ours, the speed was continuing to climb at a pretty good pace, but then you get the thought "Hey, if I don't let off of the gas, I might die."
I'm a pretty daring person, but not that daring! haha I'm not relying on 45 year old american suspension to keep me on the road.
I'm a pretty daring person, but not that daring! haha I'm not relying on 45 year old american suspension to keep me on the road.
Last edited by 200ci66; Jul 13, 2011 at 06:01 PM.
ROTM Moderator
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 8,157
From: AL
When we hit 90 mph with ours, the speed was continuing to climb at a pretty good pace, but then you get the thought "Hey, if I don't let off of the gas, I might to die."
I'm a pretty daring person, but not that daring! haha I'm not relying on 45 year old american suspension to keep me on the road.
I'm a pretty daring person, but not that daring! haha I'm not relying on 45 year old american suspension to keep me on the road.
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 7,635
From: state of confusion
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