My view of the best Ford engine series to use as a basis for building a performance engine, has to be the small block Ford V8. By that I mean the 221/260/289/302/351/400 series.

Why ? Excellent performance design, especially the Cleveland 351 version and Boss 302. Light weight, high revving potential, excellent power/torque per cubic inch and weight. Lots of relatively cheap performance parts.

Old Y block, 272/292/312-ok, but the Y block was replaced by the 'improved design SBF. Old design, not particularly high revving, doesn't compare well to the Ford SB.

I have nothing against the Y series. My Dad had a 312 (Thunderbird V* in Fairlane) and the 292 in a '58 Ford Wagon. They were fine for their era.

FE series. I like the 428. Good engine. Lots of power. Not a lot of performance parts , as it's competition, the BB Chevy.

The 332/352/390. The 390 was an excellent big inch engine for moving big Galaxies around, but it's painful to say, it couldn't compete with the 396/Pontiac GTO 389, Road Runner 383 engines, as far as a performance engine, IMO.

My Uncle swore by 390s, in his 60's Galaxies and big Mercs, and they were good engines, but they pale as a performance engine , compared to the small block Ford in my opinion.

Not many rodders use 'em compared to the sbf series, unless they are restoring an old Galaxie or Mustang GT.

The 429/460. Great engines. I especially like the 460. Compared to the SBF, I think it is an excellent engine as a basis for building a performance engine.

Just one man's opinion, your opinion may differ. But when I open the envelope, the winners are:

1) Small Block Ford V8

2) 460

 

The 400 doesn't fit into the what you call small block series.

It appears from the list in the first line you are actually meaning the V90* engine series.This includes the 351W.

The 400 like the 351M as well as the (351C a great engine) are in the 335 engine series.

These 2 engines suffer severe oiling systems and are low HP and fairkly low TQ compared to others.

The 351C animal doesn't fit in with the lowliness of 351M/400 engines.

btw, Ford doesn't call their engines small block or big blocks.

They are engine series.

V90* - 221,260,289,302,351W
FE - 330,360,390,427,428 etc (and a few others)
335 - 351C,351M,400
385 - 429,460

My picks of course are the 289/302, 429SCJ.

The 289/302 for dependability and longevity

The 429SCJ for shear strength and monster Hp/torque

 

Best to build a performance engine now? Or what was best "in the day"?

Today, probably the 351W. Will go out to 392 or 393, or even more.

400 hp with a modest build.

Next would be a 460. Never a performance engine stock (dig the 220hp versions in the "head up our *** '70s) it is strong enough to take a major build.
Next best the FE with one of the aftermarket blocks that correct the FE weaknesses. Lighter than the 460, but the aftermarket block situation costs more.

IN the day?

427: won Le Mans, won in stock car racing, won in the Cobra

289: Mustang and Cobra performance.

Boss 302: Trans Am star.

 

FYI........../352/360/390/427 and the before mentioned 428 are ALL FE motors. And ALWAYS bow your head in respect to the ultimate FE (and maybe ULTIMATE Ford motor) the 427 SOHC!!

If I'm not mistaken, the Y block was replaced by the FE..........the small block Fords supplemented the FE's until the 385 series (429/460) took over big block duties.

Regardless that Ford does not label 'em big or small, your designations are generally accepted.....221/260/289/302/both 351's/400 are small blocks.

The 385 series and FE's are BB's.


Even though I'm not a HUGE FE fan.......historically I think it's Ford's most famous motor.

It won LeMans, was the top motor in AC Cobras, extensive NASCAR and drag racing history and of course; The original CAMMER!!!

 

I'd have to say the BOSS 302, and for a big block, BOSS 429

I'm sorry, but no cobra jet ever came close to a BOSS 429, although you could buy them for a little cheaper

 

The 427 FE side oiler, was Ford's most famous racing engine and did well. It was no competition for the Hemi, and at the time with chevy/Pontiac out of competition, I think it might not as done well , as Mopar was the only factory competition.
Not to take away from the 427 FE, it was an reliable, durable engine that out raced Ferrari. It was a great engine.

 

You know I love these types of discussion that say the small block or whatever designation you want to use is best because higher revving lighter weight etc. well equally built big block will put down more HP and be more streetable than a small block. look at it this way a 400hp 302 is running on the ragged edge but a 400hp 460 is considered a mild street engine.
And as far as the aurgument that the small blocks outrev the big blocks, better look again. The only time you see small blocks used extensivly in racing is nascar and thats only because they are mandated that way if they could those guys would all be running 500+cid engines punching out 1500+hp turning exactly the same 9700rpm. Go look at nhra top fuel runs 500cid and spins them 9000+ and prostockers run even bigger engines as much as 815cid and spin them closer to 10k. I personally shift my big block at 7200+rpm and have the rev limiter set at 8000rpm.
My basic premise here is that small blocks spin higher rpms is a myth plan and simple and it takes a lot more to get the type of hp and tq numbers you cna get with a big block that runs on pump gas and used to tow your camper, or spin it up double or triple the hp of even a stroker small block with a blower and use it in your race car.
So in my book big block wins hands down. But I will never put down the FE series and all should bow to the 427 SOHC, it's just to bad that engien was outlawed by nascar before it ever got a chance to race I think we would have seen some amazing things done with that engine in later years.

 

Best performance Ford engine series?

To be a bit different - the Cosworth BDA series. The 1-8l-2.1l 4cylinders could make up to 650hp from the factory, the RS200 which ran a BDT would hit 60 in 2.1s...
The 2.0l YB Cosworth was also good for 600hp+ - the RS500's anhilated the competition in the World Touring Car Championship

Also the Cosworth DFV has to get a mention - it did dominate F1 for 25 years... 500hp out of a 3.0l V8 ain't bad for 40 years ago...

 

There is no replacement for displacement. For NA engines, just about the best you can expect is 1.3 horsepower x CI. So ... best performance engine for the money would be a 460 FI stroked to what, 512 now?

Unless you are talking engines worth more then most houses/trailers.

 

You are correct.......the 427 wedge was not a match for the hemi.

The 427 SOHC would have killed it if allowed.........BUT Chrysler had a liitle known DOHC hemi in devolopment if NASCAR hadn't basically killed off the big blocks for obvious safety reasons.

 

I have to say FE's for building the basic performance motor. All the parts are out there, from quite a few different sources. A wide array of OEM high performance stuff, but at a price. But it's just so easy to build the basic 400hp 390. Port your heads, good compression with replacement 390 4V pistons, a decent cam, good induction, a set of headers and you're there. Stock block, crank, rods, heads, and most of the valvetrain.

 

It would of been something to see the 427 SOHC or mopar 426 hemi in race tune and action. But you are right (re; safety) would of been in question, for driver's if those overly powerful engines were ever used.

Speeds would of been lethal. Tires of the day could not of handled that much power. Even though those engines were designed almost 40 years ago, I think with a bit of work, they would embarrass the modern Ford/Chevy/Dodge current, NASCAR small blocks, quite easily. More sophisticated, power producing designs and of course, the added displacement.

 

my #1-351 C 4V.awesome motor. #2 ford FE's.

 

I have a question about the c9ve-b 429, has anyone done a build up of one of these blocks? Mine came with a 2 barrel manifold which seems under fueled for a 7.0. Anyways just wondering what parts (performance wise) could go with this engine, I also have a pair of c9ve-a heads that came off the block I was wondering what if any kind of performance I could get from these. Any info would be great.

 

Hi shortly,I also have what you are talking about but, I can answer your question in the 385 series forum.

It's because it is off topic and is better served there