[devbravo]

I've owned and drag raced both FE(390) and 385(429) series engines... albeit a few years ago.
They're really different designs so it's like comparing apples & oranges, yes they're both fruits and yes their both sweet , but that's as far as it goes..yes these are both Ford Big Block engines, yes they're both Torque producers.

The differences are: 1) the FE series overall suffers from oiling
problems, which if you're serious about racing you have to address, the 385 series addresses these short comings.

The FE blocks have a very strong bottom due to the "skirt".

The FE blocks can be "wound" tighter (e.g. can handle higher rpms) than the 429/460, BUT the 429 and early 460 heads flow
much better that the FE heads save for the NASCAR 427 heads
(which the 429/460 are "detuned" street versions of)

If you're on a budget ...go with a 460 with 429 heads.

If you have the bucks to spare and/or spending your children's inheiritance, then by all means go with an aluminum 427 or 428
with a set of modern design high flowing heads. and kill those
rats!