FE heads
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2008
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From a novice racers perspective, it's not all about the horsepower.
And there is a practical limit to horsepower.
Almost all motors built for the street need alot of tuning. I can't tell you how many times I've heard someone say there motor makes " ? ", so much, horsepower and the thing can't idle and can't get out of its own way. My point is the devil is in the details. Motors are 'cheap', the parts that go on them are expensive! A solid built motor, with better parts on them, tuned well is the direction you should head.
As far as practical is concerned, the more power you make the harder it is on your drive train. No sense in having so much horse power that you can't hose down on her when you want.
A well built 390 should make 390HP. That's a lot of horse power, more than your drivetrain was intended to have.
And there is a practical limit to horsepower.
Almost all motors built for the street need alot of tuning. I can't tell you how many times I've heard someone say there motor makes " ? ", so much, horsepower and the thing can't idle and can't get out of its own way. My point is the devil is in the details. Motors are 'cheap', the parts that go on them are expensive! A solid built motor, with better parts on them, tuned well is the direction you should head.
As far as practical is concerned, the more power you make the harder it is on your drive train. No sense in having so much horse power that you can't hose down on her when you want.
A well built 390 should make 390HP. That's a lot of horse power, more than your drivetrain was intended to have.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Middle Tn.
Gave you your answer. Irrelevant what your heads have unless I misunderstood something!
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 393
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I've got D2TE-AA heads on the 68 Gal. 390 in the truck. The 73 390 I started working on today will get another set of D2's aswell. I'm working on getting a set of C0AD-E heads to put on the Gal. 390 after the next rebuild. And to be truthful with you if you end up going to Survival for the stroker look at the new aluminum heads they are making. Top notch and well matched with the 445 stroker kit.
I'm gonna go to the other side and say that aluminum heads will be just fine on a truck or a car for a daily driver/weekend warrior. As long as you get head studs and a MLS head gasket. I know guys that have E-Brock's on their 390's and 428's and after 6-8 years and have yet to pull them off to tweak them back in place. You over heat the engine then yes you will warp any head, aluminum easier than iron, but keep a well maintained engine and drive on worry free.
I'm gonna go to the other side and say that aluminum heads will be just fine on a truck or a car for a daily driver/weekend warrior. As long as you get head studs and a MLS head gasket. I know guys that have E-Brock's on their 390's and 428's and after 6-8 years and have yet to pull them off to tweak them back in place. You over heat the engine then yes you will warp any head, aluminum easier than iron, but keep a well maintained engine and drive on worry free.
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