[cody browning]

ok so i found a shop where i can get my hands on a 331 with complete rotating assembly installed for 1800 and i really want more power from my 66. i have a t-5 and all the bolt-ons for my 289 but i have the 2v pistons and cam so i guess this is why i really havent felt any improvements in power. I want to get 300-350 hp and i know the 289 can do it. The same shop will sell me some aluminum heads for 749 new for my 289 but i want to upgrade the cam and pistons if i decide to go that route. Otherwise i will spend the 1800 plus the price of cam/heads etc to complete the 331 if i want to go that route. I know if i do i can get the power im looking for from the 331 no problem but i would love to keep my original engine. My power outlook may be unrealistic for the 289 but i know there are guys out there who have done it so my question is do i spend the extra $$ for the stroker or do i pull the 289 and put in new pistons/cam/heads? Sorry abt the long post and thanks for any help,
Cody

[65BlueHorse]

It is nice to keep things original and it is possible to get the power from a 289 but it would be much easier to get it from a 331. Most of the parts such as intake, carb, and heads from your 289 should bolt on to the stroker so you would not need to buy it all for the 331. I think it comes down to buying the 331 block/rotating assembly for $1800 or spending the money to buy a crank and pistons which could also get expensive for the 289. If the main goal is power get the 331. If you want to keep the 289 motor then keep it and do the research to make sure you get the power you want.

[Jonk67]

I had no idea how many miles or what condition my original 289 with 130K mi. on the odometer had on it, PO said only 5K mi. since rebuild but looked more like 50K when I took it apart.

The decision was easy for me I chose to buy a kit and stroke my 289 to 331, now i still have my original block but more power. I chose not to do anything with the stock heads as they are the restictive part for sbf. I picked up some good used AFR 165's for ~$900. The stroker rebuild was $2600.

If I were you I'd think about doing the heads and a cam to your 289 for now (get some small chamber heads like AFR 58cc) and do the pistons later if you decide to go stroker you'll need different pistons anyway. You didn't say how fresh your 289 was. You could always have the heads shaved to up the compression. This way you'll avoid the bigger cost of getting into the bottom end, crank, machine work, etc. Just an option.

I'm shootiing for the same HP conservatively but haven't installed the engine yet, wish I could post some #'s for you.
Jon

[cody browning]

yeah i see what your saying i just wish i had enough experience to tackle the stroker install myself... then it would definitely be a no-brainer. I guess ill just wait and save up some more $$. More than likely i will just take my 289 to a 331 when i can pay for someone to stroke it.

[gtjoe]

Since you're asking for opinions, if it were mine, I'd stroke the 289 to the 331 and get some better heads. You don't have to go aluminum but they will allow you to run higher compression on pump gas. World Products make some good, inexpensive iron heads that will work just fine. The benefit is that noone will know you've got a 331 with potent heads and making good power because it still looks like a 289.

[Jonk67]

Start with some better heads as mentioned, when you have $ to stroke the motor the heads will really make a difference, this way you can make improvements in steps.
I just happen to be in Macon now, Thurs./Fri. for work, coincidence? Just found Wager's tonight @ exit 169.
Jon