[quote=Dimis;1396450]Kevin, if I may, I get the impression that with your sprint car background you are more comfortable than most with a "loose" rear... One that slips and slides a little under throttle.
I also get the impression that you are after the biggest baddest engine money can buy, which is why you've raised the topic of a stroked 385 series.
Make no mistake, the 385 is the nastier engine, and could probably produce more bang for buck than an equivalent FE if all was equally.
But from what I'm lead to believe, in your case it's not equal. Is that correct?
If I understand it right, your car is already to go with an FE (ie headers, engine mounts, bell housing, other ancillary parts).
If so salvage what you can out of your current FE, and have a 390 (445) or 428 built with some ported pieces and marginally larger than normal cam.
This will ensure you have the "correct" looking engine, with the cheapest buy in price, that will have more than enough power to scare the sh!t out of you if you mashed the pedal down for more than 2 full seconds.
At least that's what my logic is telling me to do in your shoes. It's WINS all round.
Either way fun and exciting times ahead for you.
Good luck man
I started racing Briggs Go-Karts at age 7, moved up to 100cc Karts, mini winged sprints then was fired to drive a 360 dirt winged sprints at age 15. Drove for the owner for 4 years and winning a championship the third year. The we bought our own sprint.
I broke my neck and fused 3 bones. At race speed or on a smooth track, I was ok, but the joilting at slow speeds or a real rough track, it was very painful, so we hired a driver out of Knoxville Iowa. We retired when the stock market crashed, then the owner of the business where my wife has worked for 30 years, sold and the new owner changed the GREAT insurance to just Blue Cross and it sucks. With our bad health, very expensive medications, and the big hit,..... my hospital bills.
So, we don't have the money we used to.
Anyway, yes, I still love getting sideways, fish tailing etc. Going straight is boring !
I miss the days at short tracks like at our home track, 1/3 high bank oval, turn left at 100 MPH, or like at Knoxville's 1/2 mile, 140 MPH to 150.
Yes, I want a 428 or better, a Side Oiler, nasty sounding and gobbs of power, epecially down low.
Like the video I posted of the assumned, small block Cobra, is nasty !
But you got it bud, I'm not worried about gettin loose !
