ive actually known this for a while... there damn good engines, they copied alot but ford made the block on-center, unlike buicks, and ford used aluminum heads to buicks cast iron, which in turn, dont hold heat as much and can be ported like a mofo. no one even makes aftermarket blocks for the "essex" motors, right now, 800 HP has been gotten out of them with just forged pistons and rods (stock block and crank)... i dont think it will be to long before we see 1000 HP out of a essex unlike sayyy a 302 which will split down the lifter vally at ~450 HP... watch out supra guys
these are the stock "crappy" single port heads that have only been ported
those outflow even ~$3k AFR aftermarket 5.0 heads
my single port Flow #s - 3.8 Mustang Message Board
article
REBUILDING THE FORD 3
the ford 3.8 is probably THE most underestimated motor ever, im hoping for ~500 when my stang is set in complete (wont be for a few years) by running a 4.3 (4.2 with .030 bore) and a 9.1ish:1 CR with ported heads, cam, and a nice ole 2.3 whipple on top
should be able to do it for less then 10k WITH the supporting mods
they can also be VERY reliable engines
http://www.mustangforums.com/forum/s...d.php?t=431477
