Big Power 390 combo's
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 240
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From: Appleton, WI
Big Power 390 combo's
I'm building a 390, and im looking to make some where around the 450-550 hp
with the torque right up there with it. what would be my best bet to get to these figures, and keep it as streetable as possible. its for my 1964 galaxie 500XL it ways 3700lbs. any suggestions
with the torque right up there with it. what would be my best bet to get to these figures, and keep it as streetable as possible. its for my 1964 galaxie 500XL it ways 3700lbs. any suggestions
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,600
Likes: 4
From: Iowa
That's cool, and doable. The problem is you're going to need some high dollar parts to do it.
Let me pull something out of my posterior...
1. Pistons. Stockers wont get it done, especially 40 year old ones. Either get the Silvolite 1131h or the TRW L2291's. The 1131h's are hypereutectic, while the L2291's are forged. Take your pick.
2. Crane 343521 roller cam & roller lifters. <-- high dollar
3. Ported stock heads or edelbrock heads, the edels will make a little more power.
4. CJ size valves in whatever you get in step #3
5. Headers
6. Edelbrock Performer RPM manifold. If you retain the stock heads you have to port match the heads to the intake since this intake manifold has bigger ports than the stock heads. This shouldn't be a problem if you're porting them to begin with.
7. Holley 750cfm vacuum secondary if you have an automatic, Holley 750 cfm double pumper if you have a manual.
The above build, with ported stock heads results in 10.2 compression, 468hp @ 6000rpm, and 477ft-lbs @ 4500rpm. The torque curve is nice and flat. With unported edelbrock heads you get 485hp @ 6000rpm, and 478ft-lbs @ 4500rpm.
If you want more power there are definately more options so just ask.
Let me pull something out of my posterior...
1. Pistons. Stockers wont get it done, especially 40 year old ones. Either get the Silvolite 1131h or the TRW L2291's. The 1131h's are hypereutectic, while the L2291's are forged. Take your pick.
2. Crane 343521 roller cam & roller lifters. <-- high dollar
3. Ported stock heads or edelbrock heads, the edels will make a little more power.
4. CJ size valves in whatever you get in step #3
5. Headers
6. Edelbrock Performer RPM manifold. If you retain the stock heads you have to port match the heads to the intake since this intake manifold has bigger ports than the stock heads. This shouldn't be a problem if you're porting them to begin with.
7. Holley 750cfm vacuum secondary if you have an automatic, Holley 750 cfm double pumper if you have a manual.
The above build, with ported stock heads results in 10.2 compression, 468hp @ 6000rpm, and 477ft-lbs @ 4500rpm. The torque curve is nice and flat. With unported edelbrock heads you get 485hp @ 6000rpm, and 478ft-lbs @ 4500rpm.
If you want more power there are definately more options so just ask.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,600
Likes: 4
From: Iowa
Egad. Ok, but the low end torque will SUCK!
With the 541 roller cam you actually lose hp, with the ported stock heads. You're down to 472hp @ 6500rpm, and 439ft-lbs @ 5000rpm. With KC Stage 2 ported edelbrocks, you're up to 500hp @ 6500rpm, and 450ft-lbs @ 5000rpm.
With KC Stage 2 ported edelbrock heads and the 521 roller cam, you're at 517hp @ 6500rpm, and 489ft-lbs @ 4500 and 5000rpm.
This is not a typo. The 541 makes less hp and torque than the 521 all around. I do not know why, but I would suggest it is because the 541 is too radical for a 390.
Gee, 517hp and we aren't even into single plane intakes yet!
Pop a Victor FE intake on there, with the 521 roller cam and KC Stage 2 ported edelbrock heads, and you're up to 568hp @ 6500rpm and 514ft-lbs @ 5000rpm.
Is that enough?
With the 541 roller cam you actually lose hp, with the ported stock heads. You're down to 472hp @ 6500rpm, and 439ft-lbs @ 5000rpm. With KC Stage 2 ported edelbrocks, you're up to 500hp @ 6500rpm, and 450ft-lbs @ 5000rpm.
With KC Stage 2 ported edelbrock heads and the 521 roller cam, you're at 517hp @ 6500rpm, and 489ft-lbs @ 4500 and 5000rpm.
This is not a typo. The 541 makes less hp and torque than the 521 all around. I do not know why, but I would suggest it is because the 541 is too radical for a 390.
Gee, 517hp and we aren't even into single plane intakes yet!
Pop a Victor FE intake on there, with the 521 roller cam and KC Stage 2 ported edelbrock heads, and you're up to 568hp @ 6500rpm and 514ft-lbs @ 5000rpm.
Is that enough?
Last edited by rusty70f100; Nov 23, 2004 at 11:04 PM.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,436
Likes: 0
From: Montana
My build was at first going to incorperate a 541 Roller a Victor intake edel stage 2 heads 850 deamon carb and forged pistons and that put me up around 570-580 hp and i will bank that you will love it you need the victor to make the 541 come alive and advance the cam 4 degrees.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,436
Likes: 0
From: Montana
With the 541 roller cam you actually lose hp, with the ported stock heads. You're down to 472hp @ 6500rpm, and 439ft-lbs @ 5000rpm. With KC Stage 2 ported edelbrocks, you're up to 500hp @ 6500rpm, and 450ft-lbs @ 5000rpm.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 6,175
Likes: 21
From: Texas
Originally Posted by EgoMan
if i was gonna run stock edelheads and a dual plane i would run the 521.
Thats my engine...Except that I'm running 446 cubes. But, I wanted it to be truck friendly, and it is. I just figure for a HOT 390 in a car, you really want it to wind up like the 541 is intended to do. But, I guess it needs a $550 intake, $1000 in porting and a bigger carb to get it done :-)
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 375
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From: East TN.
my buddy skip races a 63 1/2 with a dual quad aluminum 427 stroker and a jericho 4 spud. he's making around 750-800hp. dont know if you want to go that extreme though. to much is never enough though is it?! 
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,600
Likes: 4
From: Iowa
Originally Posted by EgoMan
I found this to be true when i ran dyno simulations, I turned out to be lower with stock edel heads and the rpm intake because those parts don't let the cam breath enough. If you dyno it with a single plane and stage 2 edel heads It show a big increase and more than makes up for it but if i was gonna run stock edelheads and a dual plane i would run the 521.
For example, I just ran a simulation with KC CNC ported edel heads, CJ valves, 10.11 compression, 1200cfm carb, single plane intake, large tube open headers, and the 521 cam. 633hp @ 6500rpm. Change the cam to the 541. 651hp @ 7500rpm. 7500rpm!!! That cam is a rev monster. Better run a main girdle and / or crossbolts, or that block is a goner.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 274
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From: MI
With your heavy car I would go this route. Ported stock heads, a .500 lift 220ish duration @.050 cam, a Blue Thunder dual quad intake possibly ported, dual 390 Holley carbs. This should produce around 500+ HP at 5800 RPM lots of low end torq very flat broad HP and torq curves needed for a heavy car. Wll have instant throttle responce at any speed. Been there done that.
Needsmorecoffee.
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,624
Likes: 2
From: CT
Pro-gram crossbolt caps are $300 for the three. I see original 427 cap sets of 3 or 5 caps going for $150 to $250+ on ebay. I just sold a center three set for $150 a few weeks ago. Figure at least $600-800 to machine and install either of the two types of maincaps. So your $750-1050 to crossbolt unless you have access to a good machine shop. The KC stud girdle is $500 and you send them your maincaps to machine as I understand. There is a guy on the Ford FE forum Dave Schouweiler or "Shoe" as he is better know as who is just about done with a new capsaddle to be released. They are selling for $269 (I think or close to that) plus you need to have the tops of your maincaps shaved as well ($70 average). Maincaps studs are available and might come with it not sure. Plug into www.fordfe.com and do a search for "capsaddle" and see for yourself as there is much more to it. Well worth the look if your considering any of the above. I'm looking into one of these myself. Gotta cover that bottom end! G.