[puppster]

there's really no diferences between a 289 and a 302...is there? the stroke is slightly longer in a 302, and sure, the head choices and compression durring the 70's didn't help the bigger 302. The big difference to me is the addition of the roller cam in the mid 80's. If things were equal, like the cam grind, head design, and exhaust, and induction, the nod would most certainly go to the bigger 302. My first car had a 289 A code, and my second was a 1982 Mustang GT with a 302. Once I added a 4V to that little 302, it was a screamer. much more fun than the 289. Now I have another 289 A code but with aftermarket heads, completely different animal. So I guess in the smog era that the 302 lived, it was probably a real let down, but because of the design.