390/428 buildup beginning

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Oct 31, 2002 | 09:23 PM

MufassaMaxx

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390/428 buildup beginning

Ok it's decided that I'll probably build a 428 or a 390 for my truck. (67 1/2 ton SWB) I currently have a 352 that'll probably stay in the truck till my new engine is build then sold for money towards the 428. I've got a performer intake and a 600cfm carb both new. How will this intake work with a 390/428? The so described "power package" seems just right for my driving but is it capable of 300+ horsepower? Also i just got the new 600cfm edel. for my 352 but will it be enough gas/air flow for a 390/428? I'll probably do cam, nice pistons w/ about 9.1:1-9.5:1 compression, witrh the intake and 4bbl. Heads/porting are a maybe depending on the cashflow. Headers with a fairly freeflowing exhaust. Can this give me in the high 300's lb./ft. range and the 350 range on HP. THis is a daily driver but i like power

! Is this possible or am i dreaming? What $$ amounts am i talking here, because i'm on a tight budget once i secure an income.

Thanks
Nate

Oct 31, 2002 | 09:38 PM

dinosaurfan

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From: SW Michigan

390/428 buildup beginning

Nate, the 350 horsepower is easy. For torque , I'm thinking you will be closer to 400 lbs-ft. Lose the edelbrock performer however- is will strangle your engine. Get the RPM performer, or better yet, a Blue Thunder 427MR intake. And that 600 ! Too small, geta 750. DF

Oct 31, 2002 | 10:21 PM

gtex

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From: Texas

390/428 buildup beginning

If you plan on getting upgraded heads and a big cam go with the 750 CFM carb. If it is more likley that you will stay with stock heads and a truck friendly cam, the 600 should be adequate.

I think my 750 is on the big size for my stock heads, and I have a long duration cam. I'd probably be fine with a 600 carb. I think alot of the folks shoot for the big HP number, whch unfortunately comes at high RPMS. The trucks do better with lots of torque coming in at low RPMs.

Oct 31, 2002 | 10:25 PM

Ratsmoker

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From: Missouri

390/428 buildup beginning

DF is right. You should have no problem getting over 300 horse. Get a 343801 crane cam, the pistons you planned on using, and a bigger carb. The intake will still let you make 300 horse but I would do like DF said and get the RPM. Since you are on a budget I would go ahead and use the performer though and spend a little more on the oiling system and good rod bolts. It should cost about 1,200 - 2,000 to rebuild it properly depending on how bad of shape the heads are in.

Oct 31, 2002 | 10:33 PM

fordtruckin

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From: CA

390/428 buildup beginning

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 31-Oct-02 AT 11:42 PM (EST)]When I first bought my '72, I knew next to nothing about carbs. So, I took the advice of a trusted friend and bought the 600 cfm edelbrock. It's way too small on my near stock 428. If I punch it from near idle, it will choke for air. Definetly go for a 750, that's what I'm doing.

PS, as long as we're talking intakes, I'm looking at a 428 cobra jet intake to replace my current four barrel. Rat, do you think this will be a good choice? My buildup plans are about the same as this guys. If it helps, the casting # is C8OE-9425-C

Nov 1, 2002 | 02:53 AM

Scotty1

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From: Miami U.S.A.

390/428 buildup beginning

I'm not rat , but my opinion would be it depends on how much they want for the intake. More than $150 or so then no. It isn't any better than the perfomer 390 and it is cast IRON. The performance gain over the stock truck 4v may be negated by the wieght. Grabted the truck manifold is heavy also. But if you are spending any kind of money buy the Performer if you wanna go with that type of intake.

On a stock or near stock engine the Perfomer 390 works quite well. The RPM will show little if any improvment in this case. What the RPM does provide is a good base for building at a later date. So keep in mind what you wanna do in the future with your truck.

Scotty

Nov 1, 2002 | 03:43 AM

Ratsmoker

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From: Missouri

390/428 buildup beginning

I agree with that completely. I will never run another cast iron intake on my FE just for the weight reason alone. It takes two people to put the iron one on the engine and I can grab my rpm with one hand and use the other to align everything. The CJ intake does flow pretty good but like scotty said its all about $$. CJ intakes are worth a good chunk of cash becasue some people care about matching numbers. I could care less about numbers so I'll go for the RPM. I would much rather have the regular performer over the iron CJ.