blackout Mike what rearend are you running? Jag, IRS, Solid 8.8??
IMO and I thinks others will agree,
390 stroker to a 445, pocket porting of the heads
hydro roller camshaft in the .550"-.570" lift
What heads are we going with?
10.0 compression with aluminum heads
Most important is a good rocker arm setup Check with Bylkins or KCR for them
HPHV oilpump blueprints from plumper here on CC.
Guess weight on car, 3.70's will be a hand full in low gears
a 3.30-.3.50 would be max rearend. I run 3.31 and may drop to 3.07
trans if running 3.70's first gear will be in the 2.40 or less. you will never use first gear. shift will be quick. I have a 3.05 first and 3.31's shift is in 40ft if the tires don't smoke.
5 spd trans with OD is the way to go. I am not a fan of TKO's I have run richmond 6 spd and now a G-Force 5 spd. Next motor will get a Richmond super street 5 spd with 2.80 first and .87 5th with 3.07 rearend. This is a great match for a torque motor.
As said before, FORGET the HP numbers and look at Torque. Torque moves the car from a stop. There are some great builds of a 390/ 445 by Barry R at Survival motorsports. You have to under stand that the MAX safe rpm on this motor will be 5,800-6,000 rpms because of valve float and lifters pumping up. Large
oil pan with min of 7 quarts like a Canton and over fill 1 quart.
If you have a little extra money Have the intake manifold flow check and balanced by Joe Craine. We will match up all the runners to flow (CFM) within 5 cfm of each other. Other wise you have about 5-35 cfm different and poor air direction to some cylinders. Want 8 holes all pulling hard.
With a small camshaft, idle should be just a little shake, 12-14 vacuum at idle and strong off idle running to 5,000 rpms. with an over drive, 135mph is easy to reach, problem is car not becoming an airplane with all the air you are pushing in the front end. Been there not a good feeling. This is a good place to start.