454 vs 460
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,600
Likes: 4
From: Iowa
There is another option here. The old FE series, 390 in particular, can be built for cheap and make good power IF YOU KNOW WHAT TO SPEND MONEY ON!
Now before you all go waving fingers and chattering teeth about how FE's cost too much, read what I have to say:
1. FE's weigh at least 100lbs less than the 460 series when both are in stock form, dont know how they compare to the BBC weight wise. Aluminum heads and intake, and you're down to 351 weight.
2. The standard 390 rods crank, and block are exceptionally strong. No need to spend money here. Put in ARP bolts and put your foot down.
3. You dont need to get caught up in fancy things that drive the price of the build way up (particularly with FE's). With the correct pistons, head porting, cam, and headers you can have a 450hp motor for the cost of a standard rebuild.
As far as I can tell, the FE's are the best kept secret in engine building. The only drawback, is transplanting it into a newer vehicle. An obstacle easily overcome with a welder.
The above is my opinion. Take it how you will.
Now before you all go waving fingers and chattering teeth about how FE's cost too much, read what I have to say:
1. FE's weigh at least 100lbs less than the 460 series when both are in stock form, dont know how they compare to the BBC weight wise. Aluminum heads and intake, and you're down to 351 weight.
2. The standard 390 rods crank, and block are exceptionally strong. No need to spend money here. Put in ARP bolts and put your foot down.
3. You dont need to get caught up in fancy things that drive the price of the build way up (particularly with FE's). With the correct pistons, head porting, cam, and headers you can have a 450hp motor for the cost of a standard rebuild.
As far as I can tell, the FE's are the best kept secret in engine building. The only drawback, is transplanting it into a newer vehicle. An obstacle easily overcome with a welder.
The above is my opinion. Take it how you will.
Thread Starter
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New User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Dallas Tx.
Everyone seems to be saying that the 460 will last longer. But how hard are you driving these things. P51D Mustang said his friends BBC only lasted to 80,000 miles. Now I know if you have 400 hp+ your not just going to sit back and look at it because what fun is that; but your not going to be racing it every day and testing its limits constantly or it won't last long. I'm not siding with the BBC or the BBF but in a daily driver does it really matter? Something that has the power to go real fast when needed or wanted. 
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 2,404
Likes: 1
From: Everett, Wa
I have another question, is this going to be a daily driver. If that is the case the 302 would be a better choice hands down. In fact I would go with the 5.0 Cammer motor. Even though I have a stroked 460 that makes big HP ready for the 56 I have thought about this motor.
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
From: west jordan
I love my 460. its just about dead and just wont give up. it has always started great never any real problems other than it has a problem with the seals on the exhaugst manifold. we have a suburban with a 454 and the 460 will beat it on torque,hauling power, and even gas millage. and the 460 is an 88 while the 454 is only a 93. not to mention the fact that the 460 is so old but still has multiport fuel injection. while the 454 was still throttle body until the late 90's. our 95 s-10 is still throttle body. and multiport gets a lot better millage. and more power. even though I'm just a girl, I would rather know that my truck is gonna pull a loaded horse trailer and not drop my speed and milage like mad. I have towed with both and the 460 made the 454 look like it was standing still. this is also up hill. if anyone has been to utah they probably had to take parleys canyon which is a good grade all the way up. and the 460 didn't miss a beat. while the 454 slowed way down, to where semi's were passing us.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,378
Likes: 3
From: nebraska
Im a big 460 fan. I have experience with these motor an they are tough. Id right up there with Fords 300 six. I had a mechainc tell me you overhaul a 460 once youve overhauled a 454 3 time. This guy knows what hes talking about an works on motors all the time. Nuff said 460 for me.
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 769
Likes: 0
From: Idaho cda postfalls
i agree the 460 is better than the 454 in long lasting. great low end torque all the way through to the high rpms. im just a true ford guy. i hate chevy, i get tired of people saying how much better they are than ford, how cheap they are to build a 350 than a 351w or a 302 ive looked at prices and its not that much difference.
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 345
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From: Hickory Tavern, SC
Have a '83 F250 with 460 had 250 hp NOS system on it and the engine had 195,000 on it when I rebuilt it. Did not use nitrous often but the 460 is tough as they come. You can get a 460 punched out to 806 c.i. from flatlanderracing.com. you can't do that with the little bowtie engine.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 660
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by rusty70f100
There is another option here. The old FE series, 390 in particular, can be built for cheap and make good power IF YOU KNOW WHAT TO SPEND MONEY ON!
I know that the FE is both smaller width wise, and lighter weight wise, compared to the 429/460, or the BBC, or a B-RB Mopar for that matter. I was told this by an ex- Shelby employee several years ago. He said you must either use a 302, or an FE, if just have to have a big block in a Cobra or GT40 kit car. Even though this isn't a Cobra, space and weight are still a concern. The FE would just look right in that application too.
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
I have a 454 in my 3/4 ton 4x4 Chevy. THe engine is mostly stock with a Lunati cam Edelbrock Intake and headers. It is bolted up to a TH400 with a 14bolt (Detroit Locker) rear end. I have owned this truck for many years, although the 454 is less than two years old. It is a bullet proof truck, like it or not...
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34,495
Likes: 2,809
From what I can find in 30 min on the internet:
--NHRA records show far more Chevs than Fords. Assuming the BB motors are in there, assume edge for Chev
--IHRA doesn't show brands for records, the chickenlittles.
--Goodwrench vs. Ford racing: Chev 572 with 720 hp, Ford 520 with 625 hp.
--other engine sites: Chev 632, 780 hp, Ford with 572 hp.
PHR shootout: Chev 670 hp, Ford 618 hp.
According to the PHR, the Ford's bone stock bottom end internals are great.
So, if you can afford $22595 get that 780 horse Chev, if you want to bump up a junkyard truck motor into a firebreather, find a 460.
Your mileage may vary, and others have real world vs. internet experience....
--NHRA records show far more Chevs than Fords. Assuming the BB motors are in there, assume edge for Chev
--IHRA doesn't show brands for records, the chickenlittles.
--Goodwrench vs. Ford racing: Chev 572 with 720 hp, Ford 520 with 625 hp.
--other engine sites: Chev 632, 780 hp, Ford with 572 hp.
PHR shootout: Chev 670 hp, Ford 618 hp.
According to the PHR, the Ford's bone stock bottom end internals are great.
So, if you can afford $22595 get that 780 horse Chev, if you want to bump up a junkyard truck motor into a firebreather, find a 460.
Your mileage may vary, and others have real world vs. internet experience....
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,074
Likes: 1
From: Las Vegas
Good post.........If I might add, the IHRA Pro Stock usually has a top running or winning Ford Mountain Motor.....800+cubes......not even in the same class we've been talking but impressive none-the-less.
I hope P51 doesn't get a hold of the rod ratios of the mountain motors......he'd flip!!
You can't judge a motor on one paramater........it's the total package. And unfortunate for us GM is usually more supported in the "package" department.
I hope P51 doesn't get a hold of the rod ratios of the mountain motors......he'd flip!!
You can't judge a motor on one paramater........it's the total package. And unfortunate for us GM is usually more supported in the "package" department.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 8,542
Likes: 5
From: Louisiana
Originally Posted by 200cs
I have a 454 in my 3/4 ton 4x4 Chevy. THe engine is mostly stock with a Lunati cam Edelbrock Intake and headers. It is bolted up to a TH400 with a 14bolt (Detroit Locker) rear end. I have owned this truck for many years, although the 454 is less than two years old. It is a bullet proof truck, like it or not...
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34,495
Likes: 2,809
One other thing about this battle: There ain't never been no production factory hot rod Ford 460. Cain't say that about the 454 as that was about all it was for the first few years.
I do like the Ford Racing site, wish I could go shopping there.
I am puzzled as to why no crate motor 300 six??????
I do like the Ford Racing site, wish I could go shopping there.
I am puzzled as to why no crate motor 300 six??????