390 build
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Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 33
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From: Lloydminster,Alberta
390 build
I'm finally getting ready to do my first engine build
. I'm just intending to turn my 360 into a 390 and I'm trying to do it on a 1500 dollar budget. I have boughten "How to Rebuild Big Block Ford Engines" and done a bit of searching on here but I still have a ton of questions.
Cam: I'm thinking of running the Comp Cams XE274H cam, anyone have any experience with these?
Compression Ratio: How high can I go on 91 octane?
Pistons: This is where I have no clue what to do. I want to build this engine so that it will be capable of running nitrous someday. Will it be neccessary to use forged pistons? If so, does anyone have any recommendations as to who to use?
Rods: Are the stock rods capable of withstanding 6500 RPM usage?
Heads: I only have the D2TE-AA heads, is there any porting work that should be done?
Thanks for any help.
. I'm just intending to turn my 360 into a 390 and I'm trying to do it on a 1500 dollar budget. I have boughten "How to Rebuild Big Block Ford Engines" and done a bit of searching on here but I still have a ton of questions.Cam: I'm thinking of running the Comp Cams XE274H cam, anyone have any experience with these?
Compression Ratio: How high can I go on 91 octane?
Pistons: This is where I have no clue what to do. I want to build this engine so that it will be capable of running nitrous someday. Will it be neccessary to use forged pistons? If so, does anyone have any recommendations as to who to use?
Rods: Are the stock rods capable of withstanding 6500 RPM usage?
Heads: I only have the D2TE-AA heads, is there any porting work that should be done?
Thanks for any help.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 42,561
Likes: 421
From: Long Island USA
Rods, yes, put ARP bolts in them and they'll be fine.
Heads, yes, port those D2TE's. The bowls under the valves can be opened up some, especially the exhausts, and remove the smog pump hump from the exhaust port.
Pistons: I've heard that 360 pistons work well to get the compression up to somewhere around the 9.5:1 range, but check what the cam needs. And wait for more input on that one. Forged for nitrous? Yes, unless you're going VERY light on the nitrous. And even then, I'd go forged if you're looking for 6500RPMs.
Don't forget the Edelbrock RPM intake or something better.
Heads, yes, port those D2TE's. The bowls under the valves can be opened up some, especially the exhausts, and remove the smog pump hump from the exhaust port.
Pistons: I've heard that 360 pistons work well to get the compression up to somewhere around the 9.5:1 range, but check what the cam needs. And wait for more input on that one. Forged for nitrous? Yes, unless you're going VERY light on the nitrous. And even then, I'd go forged if you're looking for 6500RPMs.
Don't forget the Edelbrock RPM intake or something better.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 166
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From: Waco, Tx
9.5 is fine on 91. And that cam has a great mid range. It's what I'm running in my 445. Going by the comp cams dyno it seems to be one of there best. But dont plan on runnin 6500rpm. That cams range is 1800-6000, And you'll be making max hp at 4500-5000. Oh and if you want the dyno #'s
345@4500
433@3500
That's with stock or so intake. With a edel rpm or such.
373@5000
449@2500
345@4500
433@3500
That's with stock or so intake. With a edel rpm or such.
373@5000
449@2500
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 42,561
Likes: 421
From: Long Island USA
And it wouldn't be a bad idea to rev-limit it too.
I once walked into a local speed shop and wanted to buy an MSD 6AL (with rev-limiter). The guy asked me what I was putting it in, and I told him my '74 highboy.
He looked at me smugly and said "What do you need a rev-limiter in a TRUCK for?".
When I explained that I was running a pretty hot 390, and I like to play in the mud, that if I broke a driveshaft with my foot to the floor, my motor would over-rev, he just didn't get it.
I went elsewhere because they were out of stock. And saved $40 going to another speed shop that never batted an eye when I told them what I was going to be doing with it
I once walked into a local speed shop and wanted to buy an MSD 6AL (with rev-limiter). The guy asked me what I was putting it in, and I told him my '74 highboy.
He looked at me smugly and said "What do you need a rev-limiter in a TRUCK for?".
When I explained that I was running a pretty hot 390, and I like to play in the mud, that if I broke a driveshaft with my foot to the floor, my motor would over-rev, he just didn't get it.
I went elsewhere because they were out of stock. And saved $40 going to another speed shop that never batted an eye when I told them what I was going to be doing with it
