Looking for advice on a '66 coupe performance build

PaulK · 11-11-2006

Greetings. I have found a 351W that I'm currently planning on stroking to 418 or 427 for my '66 coupe. Just not sure if that's the best way to go or instead stay with a 347 stroker that I'm sure would fit much better as a direct bolt-in replacement for the 289 currently in there? I'd like to have somewhere between 400 - 500hp and as much of an aggressive rumble as possible but keep the car streetable. Cruising will be it's primary purpose with an occasional trip to the track where I'd like to be in the low 12's/high 11's. My other plans besides all the necessary goodies for the motor are a 3000 or so stall converter and 3.50 posi setup in back.

I'd sure appreciate any advice anyone might have on things to consider in this build. I'm not set on going any specific route other then, again, I want it to be as radical as possible without giving up the ability to enjoy taking it cruising. I'm also not willing to "chop" the car up to make it a better racer. Just can't bring myself to do that to a nice old '66 coupe!

Thanks in advance for any advice you may have!

gsharapa · 11-12-2006

I've had both and the 351 is much more of a challenge to put in. You can very easy make 500 plus HP with the 347 and tons of items to purchase for that engine so I'd recommend staying with the 347. Mine has a 450 HP 347 with webers.....

PaulK · 11-12-2006

Thanks for the advice, Gary. That has been my one concern with the 351. I was looking at it last night and wonder if I'm not going to have hood clearance issues with it as well. I also just put brand new Edelbrock carb and Performer intake on the 289 that's in there plus new water pump, all new chrome, etc, and it would be nice to still be able to use some of that stuff at least to start (I fear the 600 carb won't be enough anymore though).

If I do stick with the 347, any suggestions from your past experience on what stroker kit to go with and which heads work best for this application? I'd like to shoot for that 10.5:1 CR mark or so because I want to be able to run pump gas.

Thanks again!

5.0 in a 66 · 11-14-2006

If you want to build a 347, I'd use a Performer RPM intake, 600 or 750cfm carb, custom cam, 11:1 compression, headers, and CNC Trickflow heads. You can get 11:1 to run on 89 octane easily with the proper cam. I'd expect about 475hp out of it. You may also consider a Wieland excellerator single plane intake and a possible 490-500hp with plenty of lowend torque.

PaulK · 11-15-2006

Thanks 5.0! What are your thoughts on the Victor Jr intake? I'm guessing that's pretty comparable to the Weiand you are referring too. Any suggestions on the right cam specs (lift, duration, etc)?

5.0 in a 66 · 11-15-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaulK

Thanks 5.0! What are your thoughts on the Victor Jr intake? I'm guessing that's pretty comparable to the Weiand you are referring too. Any suggestions on the right cam specs (lift, duration, etc)?

I think the VicJR is too big for 99.99% of street engines, not to mention it's near impossible to fit under the hood. The Wieland eXcellerator is a mild single plane more akin to a PerformerRPM than anything, not comparable at all to a VicJR.

I could put together some cam specs when I get in front of my PC this evening. What are you wanting? Hydraulic or solid cam? Roller cam or traditional? These will make a big difference in the specs. What trans? How tame do you want it to be?

These are all questions a REAL custom cam place will ask

(I see you answered some of them in your original post of I'd be asking more

)
HTH
--Kyle

1965mustang · 11-15-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaulK

Greetings. I have found a 351W that I'm currently planning on stroking to 418 or 427 for my '66 coupe. Just not sure if that's the best way to go or instead stay with a 347 stroker that I'm sure would fit much better as a direct bolt-in replacement for the 289 currently in there?

I've tried both engines. I'd never do the 351W again. You'll end up with no clearance for maintenance, expensive headers, and too much weight on the front.

I'd suggest the 347/331 stroker.

PaulK · 11-15-2006

I appreciate all your guys' advice and it sounds like the 347 is definitely the way to go.

As for the cam, so far I've been told I should go with a hydraulic roller. I want it to sound as radical as possible but without harming performance or streetability. There is a C-4 in the car and I have been figuring on a converter in the 3000-3500 stall range but that too is up for debate/suggestions.

Clear as mud?!

Knightnsd · 11-16-2006

I have not tried the 347 but will tell you that my s code was missing its big block and I went with the stroked windsor. It made it around the shock towers but the HOOD CLEARANCE gets tight , limiting my air cleaner options and I dropped the spacer plate I was hoping to lift the carb up a bit with.

5.0 in a 66 · 11-16-2006

A Hydraulic roller 347ci with 220/220 duration and .549/.549 lift and a 110 LSA installed straight up made 483hp with a set of AFR 165 heads, 10.5:1 compression, port matched wieland excellerator, 750cfm, headers, and a windage tray.

Hyd roller is only feasable with a roller 86-01 block, otherwise you're looking at upside of 1k for the cam retrofit

gsharapa · 11-16-2006

Paul,

Give Keith Craft a call (Keith Craft Racing) as he is an expert in building small and big block Fords. He builds a killer 331 stroker but he can do most any small or big block Ford. His speciality is heads and horse power!!! I had one of his 427 small blocks in a superformance cobra. Made 638 HP, 93 Octain and very streetable. Sounded awesome.........He has a great website as follows:

http://www.keithcraft.com/

Example of his 450 HP 331/347 strokers:

331/347 standard crate engine
450hp
425 ft. lbs. of torque
$7,475.00 331/347 standard crate engine
450hp/425 ft pounds of torque
Fully machined production block, New Scat or Eagle 4340 forged crank, New Scat or Eagle 4340 H beam rods, Mahle coated or SRP forged pistons, Plasma moly rings, Federal Mogul bearings, Hyd roller camshaft, Hyd roller lifters, AFR 185 heads or cnc’d Brodix 5.0 Heads, Scorpion roller rockers, ARP head bolts, Fel Pro gaskets, Edelbrock Victor Jr intake, Canton 7qt oil pan, Ford Racing damper and spacer, 28 oz balanced, blueprinted and assembled. Includes carburetor, water pump, distributor with polymer gear, Ford Racing or Moroso plug wires, Keith Craft logo'd valve covers & gaskets. ............$7,475
Call 1-870-246-7460 or Email Us

PaulK · 11-21-2006

Thank you all for the wonderful advice. I was rummaging around at the local salvage yard today and found some 5.0's in Crown Vics and Lincolns ranging from '88 through '90 which, from the way it sounds, should all be rollers (right?) so I'm going to head out again tomorrow to take one out and bring it home.

Now it's on to figuring out which 9" rearend to get from the same place to replace my 8". I'm going to post a new thread asking for advice there too so if any of you guys are willing and able to help I would once again be very appreciative!

kens67mustang · 01-27-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaulK

Thank you all for the wonderful advice. I was rummaging around at the local salvage yard today and found some 5.0's in Crown Vics and Lincolns ranging from '88 through '90 which, from the way it sounds, should all be rollers (right?) so I'm going to head out again tomorrow to take one out and bring it home.

Now it's on to figuring out which 9" rearend to get from the same place to replace my 8". I'm going to post a new thread asking for advice there too so if any of you guys are willing and able to help I would once again be very appreciative!

you are aware,you can still use the 8"........it'll take the power up to around 450hp..............the 9" will take more.