[Ace23]

I would have no issue with a 385 series engine and almost did it. I had a 427windsor and decided my money could go much further on the car at this point if I did not go the 385 swap. I really wanted to focus on making the entire car better and decided against throwing a huge motor in it. The past year the car has been completely transformed. If i were you I would completely stay away from crate engines and be talking to lance at Craft Racing or Brent Lykins with Lykins motorsports. I see that you have a ton of post and have not purchased anything so it sounds like you can afford to save/wait. If it were me I woudl spend the extra money on the 460 motorsport block and punch it out to 598ci and build it less radical.

Below is what I was able to change on my car instead of just changing the engine.....also consider putting that large of a motor in one of these and using it is going to find some weak points. I will know shortly but I compensated for the lack of the big block with adding some serious gear to the car with the 427.....I assume it is going to be a handful.

*refresh of existing dart block 427 but with Brent Lykins cam spec
*new 1 7/8th header built
*3" Firefly side pipes
*polished victor jr, water pump etc
*replaced almost every bolt under the hood with stainless
*new air cleaner
*swapped most of AN fitting out
*T56 swap, new clutch, QT bellhousing
*chromoly 31 spline axles and rear gear swap
*15" wheels from vintage and new tires