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Opinions wanted for street 390
By Jim - 12/16/2001 3:59:00 AM; IP 209.162.200.197
I have a '66 T-Bird Town HT I'm building. It currently has a stock 390 with a few bolt-ons. I'd like to build a street friendly 390-406. I don't need cammer power... just something that can move my big beast at a nice clip. :) I don't want to get exotic with custom EFI or any of the outrageously priced and rare parts. Here's what I've been thinking of as a general blueprint:

rebuilt 390 shortblock (maybe 406?)
Edelbrock Performer RPM package
- heads; intake; cam
Holley or Edelbrock carb (750 or so cfm)

My questions are:

1) will a stock rebuilt shortblock handle the 400+ hp fine? How far can I comfortably overbore a 390 block? .060?

2) Would it be cost effective horsepower to toss in a 428 crank to pump my engine up to a 406? I know the 428's externally balanced, but other than getting a vibration dampener and 428 flywheel, are there any other pitfalls to this conversion? Would I need different rods, or just different pistons to make this work?

3) I chose Performer RPM since they're new parts instead of 30+ years old, lighter weight, fairly streetable. Is the performance similar to an original CJ setup? Better?

4) Since Performer RPM's power curve really kicks in around 1500 rpm rather than just off idle, would it be a good idea to use a higher stall speed torque converter for my C6?

5) is it possible, without modification of the heads to install Dove roller rockers on these heads? If so, will the added performance be worth the cost for a street FE?

6) Is it recommended to use Mallory or MSD electronic ignition over the dual point distributors? Will there be any difference other than less maintenance?

Thanks in advance for any help.
This thread, so far...
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Collapse <b>Opinions wanted for street 390</b>&nbsp;-- <font color=#0000ff>Jim, <i>12/16/2001</i></font>Opinions wanted for street 390 -- Jim, 12/16/2001
 RE: Opinions wanted for street 390 -- Jim, 12/16/2001
Collapse <a href=../ForumFE/reply.aspx?ID=10064&Reply=10060><img src=../images/reply.png width=30 height=10></a>&nbsp;<a href="#" id="anchor10064" onclick="return false;">RE: Opinions wanted for street 390</a>&nbsp;-- <font color=#0000ff>Bob, <i>12/16/2001</i></font><script type="text/javascript"> new HelpBalloon({ dataURL: 'replyb.aspx?ID=10064', contentMargin: 60, icon: $('anchor10064') }); </script>  RE: Opinions wanted for street 390 -- Bob, 12/16/2001
 RE: Performer vs.RPM -- Mike McQuesten, 12/16/2001
Collapse <a href=../ForumFE/reply.aspx?ID=10067&Reply=10060><img src=../images/reply.png width=30 height=10></a>&nbsp;<a href="#" id="anchor10067" onclick="return false;">RE: Opinions wanted for street 390</a>&nbsp;-- <font color=#0000ff>Travis Miller, <i>12/16/2001</i></font><script type="text/javascript"> new HelpBalloon({ dataURL: 'replyb.aspx?ID=10067', contentMargin: 60, icon: $('anchor10067') }); </script>  RE: Opinions wanted for street 390 -- Travis Miller, 12/16/2001
Collapse <a href=../ForumFE/reply.aspx?ID=10068&Reply=10060><img src=../images/reply.png width=30 height=10></a>&nbsp;<a href="#" id="anchor10068" onclick="return false;">RE: Opinions wanted for street 390</a>&nbsp;-- <font color=#0000ff>Mike McQuesten, <i>12/16/2001</i></font><script type="text/javascript"> new HelpBalloon({ dataURL: 'replyb.aspx?ID=10068', contentMargin: 60, icon: $('anchor10068') }); </script>  RE: Opinions wanted for street 390 -- Mike McQuesten, 12/16/2001
 I'll have to agree with Mike -- Rich Kutzner, 12/16/2001
Collapse <a href=../ForumFE/reply.aspx?ID=10069&Reply=10060><img src=../images/reply.png width=30 height=10></a>&nbsp;<a href="#" id="anchor10069" onclick="return false;">RE: Opinions wanted for street 390</a>&nbsp;-- <font color=#0000ff>Dennis, <i>12/16/2001</i></font><script type="text/javascript"> new HelpBalloon({ dataURL: 'replyb.aspx?ID=10069', contentMargin: 60, icon: $('anchor10069') }); </script>  RE: Opinions wanted for street 390 -- Dennis, 12/16/2001
 RE:Dont feel bad Dennis.... -- Jim, 12/17/2001
Collapse <a href=../ForumFE/reply.aspx?ID=10071&Reply=10060><img src=../images/reply.png width=30 height=10></a>&nbsp;<a href="#" id="anchor10071" onclick="return false;">Oops - check out www.fordpowertrain.com</a>&nbsp;-- <font color=#0000ff>Rich Kutzner, <i>12/16/2001</i></font><script type="text/javascript"> new HelpBalloon({ dataURL: 'replyb.aspx?ID=10071', contentMargin: 60, icon: $('anchor10071') }); </script>  Oops - check out www.fordpowertrain.com -- Rich Kutzner, 12/16/2001
Collapse <a href=../ForumFE/reply.aspx?ID=10072&Reply=10060><img src=../images/reply.png width=30 height=10></a>&nbsp;<a href="#" id="anchor10072" onclick="return false;">Oops- right on ! check out www.fordpowertrain.com</a>&nbsp;-- <font color=#0000ff>Ray, <i>12/16/2001</i></font><script type="text/javascript"> new HelpBalloon({ dataURL: 'replyb.aspx?ID=10072', contentMargin: 60, icon: $('anchor10072') }); </script>  Oops- right on ! check out www.fordpowertrain.com -- Ray, 12/16/2001
 jim one thing to be aware of -- richard, 12/18/2001
 390 to a 428 -- SLiDeR, 12/21/2001
 RE: Opinions wanted for street 390 -- Joe, 12/20/2001
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