In my quest to find the “perfect” powerplant for the 68 coupe, I have looked at several options. Im building an old school hotrod, I have seen enough cars with a warmed over 302 or mediocre 351. The goal for the build is around 500hp, yet streetable. Power will be pushed through a TKO 600 into the typical 9inch rear end with 3.73 gears. I have come across several options but it seems to get an engine built and tested in that power rating will cost roughly $10K. I have picked 3 options, 535hp crate 427 (351 windsor stroker) 500hp Clevor 408 stroker, or a 475-500 445 FE from survival motorsports. All fall in at around $10k.
However, im leaning toward the 445 because survival assembles, tests, and breaks in everything to the crate that shows up for $9-10K is drop in ready. Also the 445 has monstrous low end torque. 430ft lbs @ 2,500 rpm average. Peak is around 500 ft lbs @ 4,500. Also I wouldn’t have to immediately drop it into the car, I could use it in my 1969 F100 while its FE is being redone (I would worry how the NP435 would hold that much power, but its been known to hold modded 460s so I assume it would be ok) That’s a small plus. I just don’t think a small block will ever match the FE in low end grunt. Yeah the FE is a very thirsty engine, but it holds true to the muscle car theory, massive power, and massive displacement. I have had ni issues at all with the FE in my F100, its been very solid and reliable. The Survival Motorsports 445 is designed for street use, it had good manners on the road, but has a two fisted wallop off the line. My F100’s 360 has boatloads of low end torque, it can get heavy loads moving with much more ease than even my dads 2010 Dodge. I cant imagine almost double that torque in a 3,000lb car.
I’d like to hear thoughts and opinions, thought probably the most muscle of any engine I have looked at, its also the heaviest, and the hardest to shoe horn into the ithgt engine bay. I know the 68 GT had a 390 FE in it, and from what I have seen it was a tight fit. But I have found AC kits, headers, everything for using the FE in the car. Though thisty it would provide big power in a streetable package. I know some of the old school users on here have had some very fast results with FEs.
However, im leaning toward the 445 because survival assembles, tests, and breaks in everything to the crate that shows up for $9-10K is drop in ready. Also the 445 has monstrous low end torque. 430ft lbs @ 2,500 rpm average. Peak is around 500 ft lbs @ 4,500. Also I wouldn’t have to immediately drop it into the car, I could use it in my 1969 F100 while its FE is being redone (I would worry how the NP435 would hold that much power, but its been known to hold modded 460s so I assume it would be ok) That’s a small plus. I just don’t think a small block will ever match the FE in low end grunt. Yeah the FE is a very thirsty engine, but it holds true to the muscle car theory, massive power, and massive displacement. I have had ni issues at all with the FE in my F100, its been very solid and reliable. The Survival Motorsports 445 is designed for street use, it had good manners on the road, but has a two fisted wallop off the line. My F100’s 360 has boatloads of low end torque, it can get heavy loads moving with much more ease than even my dads 2010 Dodge. I cant imagine almost double that torque in a 3,000lb car.
I’d like to hear thoughts and opinions, thought probably the most muscle of any engine I have looked at, its also the heaviest, and the hardest to shoe horn into the ithgt engine bay. I know the 68 GT had a 390 FE in it, and from what I have seen it was a tight fit. But I have found AC kits, headers, everything for using the FE in the car. Though thisty it would provide big power in a streetable package. I know some of the old school users on here have had some very fast results with FEs.
