hey im new here and just wondering something

I got a 1966 mustang and with the stock 289 hi-po. love the engine but u can never have enough power, plus i eventually want around 450-500hp and i doubt ill get there with a 289 without boring it out.

so the question now faces me. should i bore out the 289 and basically make it a thin walled winsor or should i go with the higher compression cleveland 335 or 351? I know the cleveland is the big-small block which i also wanted to know if it would fit in the 66 engine bay. also if i wanted to get the C where abouts should i start lookin for a block (or the whole built engine).

last question: ive heard that the cleveland factory or people have developed new heads for the engine and if ne one can fill me in on these heads.

thanks from the poor college student
-mike

 

I will say this and it may sway your decision. Windsors are more readily available at lower prices and the aftermarket parts are less expensive. There are a lot of people who swear by both C or W. IT all depends on what you personally feel like doing and how much you want to spend.

 

If you have a real Hi-po I don't know why you would want to mess around. For my money there is nothing better than a great running 289 Hi-po.

 

I have the answer. You could sell that Hi-Po to me for a dollar, then go out and get yourself a crate engine that will make that 500 HP for you. Then, we would all be happy campers. Seriously, if you want to build an engine that will get you into those numbers, the 351W would be your best choice because of the amount of aftermarket parts you can get to build it. Aftermarket performance parts for the C are hard to come by and are expensive when you find them. Otherwise, check into the crate engines.

 

or...I'll take the 289 for you and follow Soarings advice and get a crate 500 HP engine.

I have a 351W that I love, but if you really really want that much more power, the 351C will get you more, I just prefer the Windsor. Lol, you could make a boss clone and get a windsor engine with Cleveland heads.

 

yeah if you have a real Hi-Po then dont mess with it...tune it up...clean it up...whatever...just dont change anything really.....

that would be like doing a brain transplant for a newer slightly more powerful brain on your grandpa just because its old....its not exactly useless, matter of fact its probably extremely functional still, and valuable....so dont try and go switchin it up....because noby likes brain surgery, especially when their brain is perfectly fine and performing great....or dismantling an authentic Hi-Po's either....

 

ha, ya im not sellin mine for $1....i figured if i would go with the windsor i would just bore out the 289 since its the same block. ne one know ne thing about those new clevlend heads tho?

 

There are no new Cleveland heads. Those are old technology.

 

Edelbrock has a new Performer RPM cylinder heads that is built to get the advantages of the 2v and 4v heads. kind of like an aussie head. I didn't think that a Cleveland whould fit in anything before like 67 or 68? Don't you need to mod. the shock towers?

 

i believe so. you could stroke a 289 to like 347 and have yourself a big displacement in a small package right there.