What is the best FORD engine per dollar

[Silverback51]

Originally Posted by rtstrack

Silverback51,

Maybe I didn't word it correctly, but there SHOULD be an answer to the question. This really shouldn't be too much of one's own preference, but more of a math issue. For example if you said a 302 long block could produce 250HP and they sell for $5,000 and then you said a 390 FE could produce 500 HP for $12,000. THe 302 would cost you $20 dollars per HP (5K/250) and the 390 would give you $24 dollars per HP(12K/500). In my crazy example the 302 is a better "value" all else being equal. I know prices of long blocks can vary depending on vendor, but they should be pretty similar for my case. That being said Chevy's certainly do seem to be priced cheaper than Ford's like Rick was saying

If you do not consider personal preference, then it's simple. The 429/460 cubic inch 385 series engine is the way to go in the Ford family. There is no substitution for cubic inches. And the parts for these engines is comparable to the Windsor engine family.

Yes, you can take a Windsor engine into the 400+ cubic inch area, but you spent a bunch of money to get it there. If you had started with the 385 series, it would have been money you could have spent on other things.

There, is that better?