What is the best FORD engine per dollar

[rtstrack]

If you were going to buy, or have one built, what type of FORD engine combo would produce the highest HP/TQ per dollar, all else being equal. Just curious

[Silverback51]

What is your favorite color? Do you prefer blonds or redheads?

There is no answer to this question.

But then you should get some interesting replies.

[RICK LAKE]

rtstrack 427 cammer is # 3, #2 is the shotgun Kasse motor in the 598 cubes, and number #1 is a stroker windsor in the 393-427 range in Aluminum. If you want to go cheap, I know I am going to hate myself with this one, LS7 or LS9 GM motor. LS2 with a 454 cubic inch stroker kit does it all. I have to go wash my mouth out with SOAP.@#%$#@@$%% Rick L.

[767Jockey]

You're talking HP per dollar, and it has to be Ford? I would have to think it's the 429 / 460 engine. They make gobs of power and torque cheaply.

[rtstrack]

Silverback51,

Maybe I didn't word it correctly, but there SHOULD be an answer to the question. This really shouldn't be too much of one's own preference, but more of a math issue. For example if you said a 302 long block could produce 250HP and they sell for $5,000 and then you said a 390 FE could produce 500 HP for $12,000. THe 302 would cost you $20 dollars per HP (5K/250) and the 390 would give you $24 dollars per HP(12K/500). In my crazy example the 302 is a better "value" all else being equal. I know prices of long blocks can vary depending on vendor, but they should be pretty similar for my case. That being said Chevy's certainly do seem to be priced cheaper than Ford's like Rick was saying

[tkb289]

rtstrack,

This may be considered a non answer to your question ... but another way to go would be to buy a good, low mileage used motor. Doing the $/HP calculation on a transaction like that could be a significant "value".

[undy]

Just HP per dollar... Windsor, without a doubt.

[Fordzilla]

My opinion would be a Windsor small block or a 385 series Big Block. Both can be built to make HP without breaking the bank.

[mikeforte]

Hi,
I think HP per dollar needs more thoughts. How many HP do you want and what is your budget?
That said a inexpensive HP combo would be a 460 with a nice cam intake a CJ heads or a 390-428 stock rebuild.
Spend more money and I'd build a 427" Dart block based Windsor. Less money would be a stock block 351/408 combo. Remember the power is in the heads, cam & intake.
Enjoy the build,

[RICK LAKE]

rtstrack 427 cammer are maken over 700hp with a little work. Depending on if you own a FE block in the 390-428 family, you can bolt on a Dove cammer kit for 13,000.00 plus machine work. I will not give you the life span of this motor because of way TOO MANY MOVING PARTS and issues in the past withthis company. Next Kasse shotgun motor based on a 429-460 lima block. With his setup of upper end in a street motor 820-840HP. Price for the special heads, intake, rockers and misc parts, about 15-17K. The winner of the mess in Ford blue is a windsor stroker with a 393-440 cubic motor you are in the 600 HP and about 11-13K depending on heads and intake. It's all about the WOW factor when you open the hood. If you are not a pruist on your car than an LS2,3,7, or even building a 9 will be about or little less than the Fords. HP in this motor can go from 300- 800 depending on setup. Price is in the 10-15K range. They are all about 18-27 dollars per HP. depending on the price of parts and if you want to use, used parts on your motor. Everyone here wants to get the most bang for the buck in both the WOW look and trying to save a little money when possible. I will say this,in the long run, THERE ARE NO SHORT CUTS OR CHEAP MOTORS THAT live long under abusive driving. You will get what you pay for in the deparment. The 3-5 major motor builder here are giving a real solid deals on there motors with warranties and stand behind them. Again they KNOW you are going to abuse the car down the road, 98% of the people do.. Rick L.

[Wayne Maybury]

A 347 (stroked 302) or a well built 460 are pretty hard to beat in straight HP per $. It is quite expensive to get decent power out of an FE.

Wayne

[Silverback51]

Originally Posted by rtstrack

Silverback51,

Maybe I didn't word it correctly, but there SHOULD be an answer to the question. This really shouldn't be too much of one's own preference, but more of a math issue. For example if you said a 302 long block could produce 250HP and they sell for $5,000 and then you said a 390 FE could produce 500 HP for $12,000. THe 302 would cost you $20 dollars per HP (5K/250) and the 390 would give you $24 dollars per HP(12K/500). In my crazy example the 302 is a better "value" all else being equal. I know prices of long blocks can vary depending on vendor, but they should be pretty similar for my case. That being said Chevy's certainly do seem to be priced cheaper than Ford's like Rick was saying

If you do not consider personal preference, then it's simple. The 429/460 cubic inch 385 series engine is the way to go in the Ford family. There is no substitution for cubic inches. And the parts for these engines is comparable to the Windsor engine family.

Yes, you can take a Windsor engine into the 400+ cubic inch area, but you spent a bunch of money to get it there. If you had started with the 385 series, it would have been money you could have spent on other things.

There, is that better?

[lovehamr]

I'm a small block and FE guy now but dollar for dollar and HP/TQ nothing Ford beats this;

http://www.fordracingparts.com/parts...tKeyField=9287


And anyone who thinks a windsor is going to beat this for the same money ($8100) is on crack.

[Doug I]

Cleveland runs about $14.70 / hp
Windsor runs between $15.80 and $17.20 / hp

427 SO $30 to $32.70 / hp
TO $25 to $28.50 / hp

Of course the pretty bits you can add make a huge difference

[Silverback51]

Originally Posted by Doug I

Cleveland runs about $14.70 / hp
Windsor runs between $15.80 and $17.20 / hp

427 SO $30 to $32.70 / hp
TO $25 to $28.50 / hp

Of course the pretty bits you can add make a huge difference

You need to add more information than that. What were the HP and dollar values you started with?

All I know is that if I want a 600 HP at the crank motor, I will spend more to get that with a windsor than a 385 series.

[Doug I]

Hamr - what would you need to add to that before you can light it up and it produce those 625 ponies ?

[Doug I]

Cleveland
6200 for 425
7200 for 490

Windsor
6500 for 410
7500 for 450
8500 for 495

SO
13900 for 470
15700 for 480
TO
11900 for 470
13700 for 480

I understand that these are pump gas drop in complete prices, excluding fluids, starter and air cleaner. Engine arrives with carb set and a dyno sheet.

[767Jockey]

Only a big block Chevy can rival the Ford 385 series engine for cheap power. The 429 / 460 Ford 385 series engine produces prodigious amounts of power very cheaply. You can argue "best" engine until you're blue in the face, but HP per dollar, you just can't beat the big block Chevy, and if you need to stick with a Ford it's the 385 series engine - nothing else, DOLLAR FOR DOLLAR even comes close.

[mongoose7]

Grasshopper, you must have balance. hp un-applied is $ up in smoke! Running gear as a total package has it's own limitations. hp/tq + clutch +trans+rear-diff+ratio+BRAKES= beyond $ on hand. N.O.S. is hp on the cheap. Forced induction (S.C. or Turbo) can be done on a stock motor with low dollars. How long will it go "fast" is realative to parts used. Nascar and NRHA both feild full cards on race day with unlimited $. The full feild NEVER ends a Sunday with out blown engines! I was raised on bow tie powered cars. Gm is cheaper per $ than Ford. Ford is greatly cheaper than mopy dope
Mongoose7

[Red S/C]

I replaced a blown 65 side oiler with a 460 SVO block. It's 533 cu in and puts out 700 hp and 696 ft lbs. I'm very impressed with how much you can do with the 429/460 blocks. Having always been a GM guy until I got involved with the Cobra I had no idea the potential of the Ford 385 series.