Best engine for street rod?

1968-coupe

New Member
Mar 28, 2010
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Deep East Texas
I am looking into drivetrain ideas for my 1968 Mustang Coupe, I have about trashed my original ideas and have becone hell bent on creating a lethal machine that can match newer cars on their terms. However I want the nice amenitiaes, heated seats, A/C, Sterio, drivability, streetability ETC. I am looking into these options:

Custom build FE 390, stroked to 445 and producing at least 475 hp 510 ft/lb torque

Crate 351 stroked to 392 and producing 495 hp 495 ft/lb torque.

521 ci big block Ford Racing crate producing 500+ hp and 600 ft/lb of torque.

The 445 will work very well, its a 390 so AC kits ETC for a GT 390 will fit nicely.

The 351 is the easiest to find parts for, but AC etc may be more difficult.

The 521 is a monster and I doubt its street manners will be very good at all, but for $10k it MASSIVE power for your dollar.

Opinions? I want to run at least a 12, possibly a 10 and be street legal.
 
I'd just do a stroked out 351w. 408 or 427 CuInch with Hi Port heads.

I'd be bored with 500hp myself. lol Takes nothing to make 500hp with a 408. Gotta make up for all that weight you put in the front with the 521, but then again it would be 650+hp with ease. Why settle for 500hp out of a 521?

running a 12 and then possibly a 10 are two different things. LOL Still should be no prob with a 408 on pump gas. 550hp and a decent suspension should run right close to 10.99's
 
Ford Racing build a 521 that produces 580hp and 600ft/lbs of torque for $10k

Survival Motorsports can custom build and dyno test a 445 with 490hp and 510 ft/lb of torque for just over $11k.

Im still looking for a builder for tha 351 based engines.

I wonder how hard it would be to setup AC for the 521, I suppose I couldnt use a kit and would have to build my own, with the 445 I could use the kit for a 390.

I just worry about the 521 being so heavy for the car.
 
I have looked into Ford Racings new 427ci 351 based crate engine, availible in both iron and aluminum blocks. At $8,800 for the iron block, its not a bad choice.

"427 cubic inches (4.125" bore x 4.00" stroke)
535 hp @ 5600 rpm (STP), 505 hp @5600 rpm SAE
545 lb-ft @ 4500 rpm (STP), 520 lb-ft @ 4500 rpm (SAE)
10.4:1 compression ratio (nominal)
Does NOT include distributor or intake manifold
MSD distributor #85840 and Edelbrock intake manifold #2924 recommended
Forged Mahle® pistons
SCAT® forged steel H-beam connecting rods
Hydraulic roller camshaft
Intake duration 294° @ .006" lift 242° @ .050" intake
Exhaust duration 300° @ .006" lift 248° @ .050" exhaust
Valve lift intake .576"
Valve lift exhaust .600"
Double Roller Timing Chain M-6268-B302
SCAT® forged steel crankshaft
Ford Racing 4-bolt Main Boss 351 Block M-6010-BOSS35195
High-performance oil pans
Rear sump pan fits most Mustang K-members
Ford Racing Aluminum “Z” Cylinder Heads M-6049-Z304DA with 2.02"intake valves and 1.60" exhaust valves
Roller Rocker Arms (1.65:1 ratio) M-6564-F351
New block, oil and water pumps, performance oil pan and highperformance harmonic balancer
Can be used in kit cars, street rods, Mustangs, Fox-bodied cars and trucks
Depending on your application, a different timing cover, water pump, performance oil pan and pickup may be required. See installation notes"