[decooney]

Hi Bandit 1,

just as an FYI... and this is off topic a bit, but i'm not sure what drag racers you are speaking with for reference on the FEs and 460/514s?.

I know of at least one FE engine builder here in CA that builds more horsepower out of his "breathing" FEs than he gets out of the 460s/514s on a dyno. He (Tom Lucas) builds both, and dynos both regularly. I am not questioning parts availaiblity or cost, but just stating some information to pass along for thought about drag racing with FEs today.

Tom has commented to me that his FEs are lighter, breath well, and produce more horsepower on the dyno. And, he says when it comes to drag cars, he'll take the FE every time. He's told me more than once that most people are still applying 70s technology and builds to the FEs even today. We put Tom to the challenge to see... so Tom came up with an experiment drag car just to see what it will do this year. He built an entire car from scratch in just 4 months.

Tom's very first trip to the drag strip last weekend in Sacramento was a 10.79 ET at 127.3 MPH with a full-dress (full interior) street/strip 1967 Mustang. Weighs in at 3,100lbs. A simple Mustang with an FE. It was his very first try out. It pulls the front wheels off of the ground if he wants. He was launching it slow last weekend. He is shooting for the high 9s now just because the 10.79 was pretty easy. If he can launch it well and get traction, it will be cool to see. This recent Mustang buildup runs what he calls his 70% FE 427 Side Oiler drag motor running 700HP. No Nitrous, all-motor, running 11.8:1 compression. His 9.9:1 compression mild street FEs develop 519HP. The #2 street drag Mustang (may be in development next year) will be running a 15:1 compression Side Oiler 427 with an approximated 940HP.

According to Tom, FEs with current technology are Back, and he wants to share with us what an old FE (with updated technology) can do in simple street drag racing once again! Its pretty cool for us die hard FE guys out there to see. Just thought I'd share this...

Give him a call if you want to verify this. Tom is a good guy. Also, he takes brand new 460s/514s right from Ford and blueprints them as well if you are interested.

Contact: Tom Lucas, FE Specialties at (916) 339-0427