12s 390
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: indiana
12s 390
hi i have a 1978 f150 that im in the process for setting up for the drag strip. my question is what can i do to my 390 to get it that fast. i alreadt have a performer cam and lifters and head work done for the engine. anymore suggestions?
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,600
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From: Iowa
Send back the Performer cam and get a good one. It's way too small for what you're doing. I suggest a mechanical lifter flat tappet.
Other than that:
Get the absolute best head work done possible. If possible, invest in a set of aftermarket heads with small combustion chambers.
Run a single plane intake.
Run high compression like Polcat.
I think it can be done with a 390, you'd just be turning more RPM's.
Other than that:
Get the absolute best head work done possible. If possible, invest in a set of aftermarket heads with small combustion chambers.
Run a single plane intake.
Run high compression like Polcat.
I think it can be done with a 390, you'd just be turning more RPM's.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2005
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compression=torque=horsepower....
I had a friend that ran 12's with a 390 in a 66 fairlane.. he had lots of head porting and polishing, as well as cobra jet exhaust valves put in. he ran the comp 292 hydraulic cam with a hogged out performer intake and an 750 double pumper, with flat top pistons. that was 14 years ago.. I imagine with an updated cam profile, a good intake- BT or RPM or a streetmaster, along with a some tuning it shouldn't be that bad.. getting the truck to hook up will be more of a chore than getting it down the track I imagine, 3.90 gears with a good LS will help.. being a nine inch, a mini spool is only 40 bucks and would do wonders. he ran 4.10's but the motor spun too quick and he topped out at he end of the strip. best of luck...
I had a friend that ran 12's with a 390 in a 66 fairlane.. he had lots of head porting and polishing, as well as cobra jet exhaust valves put in. he ran the comp 292 hydraulic cam with a hogged out performer intake and an 750 double pumper, with flat top pistons. that was 14 years ago.. I imagine with an updated cam profile, a good intake- BT or RPM or a streetmaster, along with a some tuning it shouldn't be that bad.. getting the truck to hook up will be more of a chore than getting it down the track I imagine, 3.90 gears with a good LS will help.. being a nine inch, a mini spool is only 40 bucks and would do wonders. he ran 4.10's but the motor spun too quick and he topped out at he end of the strip. best of luck...
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 508
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From: Corpus Christi, Texas
Go check out my videos i posted on another post I have a 1966 F100 running twelves. Your gear will depend on tire size and torque convertor stall. But it is easier to get a car in th 12s than it is a truck, remember your pushing a brick in the wind. At least a car has a little less wind resistence!!
FE "Freakin Expensive"
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6,461
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From: Smith Mountain Lake, VA
Head work head work head work!! If you dont have the flow, you cant get the air into make HP and back out again!! Flow = HP..
No matter what cam you run or how big of carb you sit ontop!! If the heads dont flow! Its a waste!! JMO..
RJ
No matter what cam you run or how big of carb you sit ontop!! If the heads dont flow! Its a waste!! JMO..
RJ
Tuned
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From: washington state
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Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: "Islander"
Streetmaster's from back in the 70's, were single plane vs RPM's duel plane.
Streetnmaster's have a new lease on life when bungs are added to make a MPI intake with good results.
Streetnmaster's have a new lease on life when bungs are added to make a MPI intake with good results.
Last edited by "Beemer Nut"; Dec 1, 2006 at 09:04 PM.
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Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: indiana
i forget what type of heads i got. they're the ones with the hardened exhaust seats, no sure what they r, gotta look. What kind of intake should i look for? was also thinking nitrous! any suggestions?
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: indiana
k so what kind of cam am i looking at then? i've also looked into a turbo setup but not sure yet. I have a friend that is pretty good with that stuff. i thought i seen a person on here that had a turbo 390 but can't find it
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2001
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From: Corpus Christi, Texas
As far as intake I am running a PortOSonic intake , which i have just recently found out is s pretty good intake. Another forum that I go to, one of the guys did a comparrison on intakes on a dyno and found that the PortOSonic was making alot of good power across the RPM range and also topped out with one of the better DOVE intakes. But yeah as far as cam a good split pattern if you going to run nitrious.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Iowa
Originally Posted by 460man
k so what kind of cam am i looking at then?
That said, I think the Crane 341191 or Comp 33-648-5 (grind 294B-8) would work good with nitrous.
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 508
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From: Corpus Christi, Texas
Well I got a good deal on mine I trade my Edelbrok RPM intake for it. The thing about it is the PortOSonic was ported already!!.. It is made by offenhauser and i believe summit sales them for around $300. maybe less??? Watch ebay one might show up their.