Alright lets discuss this...mines the 360...thats just because thats what I have and what I know. Im interested in knowing from those who have fixed many different and owned others. This could be fun

 

My favorite FE is the SOHC 427 but the chances of me ever having one are probably less than zero.
I like the 410 and 428 for torque, but overall I think for performance, the 390 is the easiest to get. Mine started as a 360 and is now a 390.
The 360, because of the really anemic compression is not the best candidate for bolt on performance but they rate a number one for reliability. The first one in my truck got changed out at exactly 300,000 miles. The second one had 135,000+ when I retired the truck.
I've also had a 390 in a '67 Mustang, a '67 Fairlane GTA, and a '61 T-Bird.
Here's my now 390. it started life as a 360.

 

Mine is my 427 side oiler with dual quad intake and Holman Moody cam and valve train that I have in my 68 Torino Fastback.....

 

For a 2WD, it's a 445FE stroker topped with ported Edelbrock RPM heads, a Victor intake, and a 750 Holley double-pumper. A Comp Cams 306S camshaft, Comp Cams 930-16 springs, and rocker shaft end stands from Precision oil pumps. Windage tray, HD oil pump drive, Melling pump, and an MSD ignition system. Transmission will be a TKO-600 through a Centerforce clutch.

Okay, I'm done. Can somebody wake me up?

 

In stock form I had a 410 in a 67 Mercury Cyclone, all that car would do was burn rubber.
In built form I had a 390 in a 66 Fairlane that awesome, but really a 427 would be a dream FE for me, then stuff a 428 crank in it.

 

My 427

 

I have always wanted to stuff 1 of them ^^^ in a Ford Courier. See how many sets of tires I could go through in a week.

 

I bought my '78 f250 2WD early this year. It had a rebuilt 300 4.9L in it with 13,000 miles.

Everyone says that's one of the best engines ever made...I don't know much about engines. Seems to be running well though!

 

Hands down the 390 in the 1967 Mercury Cyclone GT I had at 14 years old.

Scared the hell out of my self with it, and I could not afford to work on it, so I sold it (stupid). And bought a 66 F100 with a 429, been trucking ever since.

Would give at least 2 complete trucks, maybe one Bronco and all my parts to have that car back.

 

After reading your post I went and watched a few Cyclone videos on youtube just to see what was out there. Man that's a bad car!

My ultimate goal is to finish my truck (my goal is 5 years), and then sell it and buy a muscle car. I don't know what kind yet...but that Cyclone is a sweet ride.

 

I got it from my grandpaw when I was 14 years old for $500, that was a LONG time ago. All it needed was a power brake booster, a windshield and a tune up.

Got it to start, stop and go like hell. Red with lower white GT strips on the bottom, duel hood scoops, black interior w/bucket seats, auto trans on center console with in dash tach.

Big back seat, trunk and back glass. Yea she had a big ****, but the front end was dead sexy.

Not it, but real close to how it looked, they sale for thousands these days.

 

Cyclones are cool. I have a 68 Cyclone waiting in my storage shop for restoration. Car was parked in 1975 with just over 60,000 miles on it and didn't see the light of day until I pulled it out of a shed 2 years ago. Car needs complete restoration but had vey little rust and was all there. Still had the original air filter element and hoses on it.

 

My 390....hands down. Main reason, it's the only FE I've ever built. I hope it scares it the hell out of me but it may not have enough assets considering the funds spent for parts.

 

That thing is awesome looking, love the Holly ribbed and blue valve covers.