How does an FE 390 compare to a Chevy 454?

[Dragon]

But we are still talking Apples and Oranges. Almost 100 cubes different compare a 427 Ford to a 427 Chevy L88 the L88 struggled to compete with the High Riser and the Cobrajet 428.

I built FEs and tuned L88s for customers when I started my business at 16 and the L88 Corvette struggled to compete with the Torino Cobrajet. By the way they weighed almost exactly the same.

Now turn the 390 into a 454 and do not include the stroker kit costs. Compare a FE 454 to any year 454 Chevy and what do you get. Did you see the Chevelle behind me??? Add the same parts to both and that is the cost you look at. The FE will cost you a few dollars more. Parts are just higher for FEs even in the old days. Now put them on the track and the FE eats the LS8 454. We did it with a 427 FE stroker to 448 in 1971 and the LS8 Chevelles did not keep up with the stoked 67 7 Liter Galaxy.

[rubiranch]

A stock 390 will never compare to a stock 454.

I'm sure you can take the worst smogged 454 and it might compare closer to a 401 HP 390, but as you said, apples to oranges.

[dablack00]

A stock 390 will never compare to a stock 454.

I'm sure you can take the worst smogged 454 and it might compare closer to a 401 HP 390, but as you said, apples to oranges.

NO! I don't think anyone is saying that at all. A stock pre-smog 390 won't compare to a stock pre-smog 454. Now, take a 68 390 and put it up against a 86 454. Well, that is a horse of a different color. That smogger 454 was weak!

The same can be true for the lima motors. Take a 68 460 and run it against a 73 460. Big difference. Of course we are talking stock.

Of course everyone can pretty much agree on that.

Now the biggest injustice in the ford house is the 400. Poor thing never had the glory days of pre-smog. Of course it is a tall deck 351C so wouldn't that be good? Of course it is! Up the compression, put an intake on it and a fresh cam. LOOK OUT!

That is enough bench racing for me. I have to go to work in the morning.

One last note. I would love to see that fat boy vette weighing at 4000lbs. I'm sorry but thats just funny. My best guess would be a CJ torino tipping the scales at 4k while the vette would hit about 3.5k with the 427. That is no where close to the same weight. Either the torino you were working on was really stripped down (READ: NON FACTORY) or the vette was made of steel! Again, I'm not calling you a liar, but I'm pretty sure anyone with any automotive knowledge would need to see some proof before buying into that one. Maybe "almost exactly" to you is 500 lbs either way. I dunno?

Austin

[My427stang]

I agree with most everything on this post, expect the 390 versus rat motor.

I have built a bunch as I said earlier, and really dont see even a 428 CJ running up against well equipped Rat. Stock classes excluded where rules and weights are more of a "whole car" concept.

Even a 427 FE can have fits against a rectangular port 396 depending on how its set up. The problem is head flow. The best (non-TP or non-HR) heads flow in the upper 260's on an FE. Even if you BS a little and do a little porting you get to 300 at best. Until recently it took a Tunnel Port to make real big flow numbers and they didnt fit the small 390 or 428 bore.

Rectangular port BBC heads flow in the mid 300's and even oval ports flow about as good as a worked 427FE head.

Of course the big dome of the rat slows things a little, but when you flow 50 more cfm, if everything is matched, it'll pull almost 100 more hp.

Thats why canted valve 429/460 and Rat motor Chevues make so much more power, its all about cylinder fill and head design.

As an FE guy who loves them to pieces, they are limited by inline valves and port design. That doesnt really affect things in a pickup truck, but we can't sit here and claim 390's and 428's slay LS7's, unless the Rats had something built wrong

[fomocoguy]

Oh robroy, look what you started....

[390F100]

[dablack00]

I agree with most everything on this post, expect the 390 versus rat motor.

I have built a bunch as I said earlier, and really dont see even a 428 CJ running up against well equipped Rat. Stock classes excluded where rules and weights are more of a "whole car" concept.

As an FE guy who loves them to pieces, they are limited by inline valves and port design. That doesnt really affect things in a pickup truck, but we can't sit here and claim 390's and 428's slay LS7's, unless the Rats had something built wrong

TRUE! This man knows what he is talking about.

[FORD428CJ]

I agree with most everything on this post, expect the 390 versus rat motor.

I have built a bunch as I said earlier, and really dont see even a 428 CJ running up against well equipped Rat. Stock classes excluded where rules and weights are more of a "whole car" concept.

As an FE guy who loves them to pieces, they are limited by inline valves and port design. That doesnt really affect things in a pickup truck, but we can't sit here and claim 390's and 428's slay LS7's, unless the Rats had something built wrong

TRUE! This man knows what he is talking about.

That's because he's Ross. Haven't you heard.......Don't F*@k with the.......Ross. That's it LOL. just poking fun LOL

[My427stang]

LOL, at least you finally figured it out Wes!

I still have faith in today's NCOs, dont let anyone tell you otherwise....

[FORD428CJ]

Sir, Just a friendly reminder, that the NCO's are the backbone!!! LOL You always have a bad apple or two "BUT" as a whole.... What a great group for the most part. Also We are a lot of fun too party with and know how! Lets raise the roof

[dablack00]

Is this where we gripe about how this is off topic or do we turn it into a blue state/red state thing? OH wait! I thought I was on the FE forum!

[FORD428CJ]

Is this where we gripe about how this is off topic or do we turn it into a blue state/red state thing? OH wait! I thought I was on the FE forum!

Ya, this is an Engine Forum!!! I'm sorry that you feel a little touchy feely today. I guess that's the don't ask, don't tell policy . Life would be a little boring with out some since of humor..... Lighten up Francis.... JMHO

[dablack00]

No, it was a joke. I know I have seen the two of you on the FE forum (fordfe.com) and I was making fun of the guys on there that are always griping....oh, never mind. Anyway, it was a joke. I'm good with bench racing all day and I'm the king of taking posts off topic. (like this one)

Austin

[FORD428CJ]

No, it was a joke. I know I have seen the two of you on the FE forum (fordfe.com) and I was making fun of the guys on there that are always griping....oh, never mind. Anyway, it was a joke. I'm good with bench racing all day and I'm the king of taking posts off topic. (like this one)

Austin

LOL. Those guys do get waaaaaay out there from time to time LOL. No harm no foul! Cool man Maybe I need to lighten up, like Francis.....