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My question is I want to do a 1990 mustang convertable but I'd like to put a 429 automatic in it I've found a 429 short block with factory 4 bolt mains forged steel crank heavy duty factory rods and the factory forged aluminum pistons I'd like to build it for aprox. 500 hp for a street only engine plan on using E85 for fuel I have beentold it is over 110 octane and is good for perfomance use so how feasable is it for a 500hp automatic street engine and what would you use for heads cam intake / maybe supercharge and use a more mild cam for a nice idle main idea is a very smooth driveable 500hp. something driveable in city traffic...

For 500 horse from a 429 you don't need the supercharger. What weight of car and what rear end gears are we talking here? Makes a lot of difference on the parts selected. IMO the best out of the box heads for a BBF or the Edelbrock Performer RPM heads with the matching intake. I run an AED 800 mechanical secondary Holley built for E-85 on the street. For drag racing we run a 1100 Dominator set up by a local carb guru with the John Kasse design SCJ heads and a custom ground Comp roller--does 500hp,505tq at the wheels!

What I had in mind was about 390 rearend gears and the weight would be about a stock 1990s mustang convertable for weight plus extra for the big block maybe even 400 to 450 hp but it needs to be driveable in New York City traffic and I want it to be strong enough to handle 5.0 s and 4.6 mustangs and not leave me looking ashamed of myself and the short block i found with most of goodies will it be strong enough for my project ????

not real difficult to achieve, however if you haven't bought the big block yet, might want to reconsider. The 5.0's and modular engines with the right goodies will make a bunch of power and still retain all the good street manners necessary for heavy traffic areas... Just went through an email session with Kenne Bell Superchargers regarding the new Coyote 5.0...easy to get 550 at the wheels with one of them but even the 4.6 two cam engine can easily put 500-550 to the wheels leaving the rest of the engine stock!!!!! Might want to check their website.

I've done a number of BBF in a Horse builds, they work well IF you address the weight issues and go with a cam the manufacturer sez will work, and not just the biggest, ugliest, lumpiest cam in the catalog!!! IMO a quality set of aluminum heads, aluminum water pump, aluminum intake, relocated battery to the trunk, 'glass pin on hood will help with the weight. It also takes frame ties, torque box reinforcement, some Cal Trac (or smilar) bars and adjustable (lowers at least) control arms to get the torque to the wheels and not just absorbed in the Flexi Flyer body. Convertibles also benefit greatly from a 6 or 8 point roll bar (S&W along with a host of other companies sell a bolt in version) to make the car "work" right with all the added torque. Lots more to it then just bolting in the big block!!!!!

Welcome to CHR, Dennis!

Not a big Ford guy (like em, but don't know them too well..) but first thing that comes to my mind is the difference in physical size between a 302 and a 429. Dimensions on the engine are 29" long, 24.5" wide and 28.5 high for a 302. The 429 is 34" long, 27" wide and 30" high the 302 weighs 500# and the 429 is a whopping 720#. The 302 is snug = a 429 would be a major project and dump an extra 220 pounds on the front suspension.

I'd look at building the 302 - I know they can really scream and as Dave mentioned, the gang at Kenne Bell really know how to make these engines perform!

Let us know what you decide.

Regards and again, welcome,
Glenn

Originally Posted by Dennis B

My question is I want to do a 1990 mustang convertable but I'd like to put a 429 automatic in it I've found a 429 short block with factory 4 bolt mains forged steel crank heavy duty factory rods and the factory forged aluminum pistons I'd like to build it for aprox. 500 hp for a street only engine plan on using E85 for fuel I have beentold it is over 110 octane and is good for perfomance use so how feasable is it for a 500hp automatic street engine and what would you use for heads cam intake / maybe supercharge and use a more mild cam for a nice idle main idea is a very smooth driveable 500hp. something driveable in city traffic...

In my opinion, that short block is the wrong way to go, ie money incorrectly spent. Here's why I feel this way:

1) You don't need to spend money toward a 4-bolt main for a mere 500 hp. We build 700-800 hp 429-460-based engines all the time with 2-bolt mains, street, race, marine, they all work fine.
2) You don't need to spend money toward a forged crank either.We build 700 hp 429-460-based engines all the time with cast crankshafts, street, marine, they all work fine.
3) A 450-500 hp 429 will not have as pleasant of street manners as would a 450-500 hp 460.

I suggest you build a 460 with aluminum heads, or a 500 with aluminum heads which could be pump gas friendly and have 500 hp plus gobs of torque.

Paul

Originally Posted by glennsexton

Welcome to CHR, Dennis!

Not a big Ford guy (like em, but don't know them too well..) but first thing that comes to my mind is the difference in physical size between a 302 and a 429. ...(and)...The 302 weighs 500# and the 429 is a whopping 720#. The 302 is snug = a 429 would be a major project and dump an extra 220 pounds on the front suspension.

Regards and again, welcome,
Glenn

A real-world, wet (oil), fully accessorized, aluminum-headed overbored 460 weighs closer to 650 pounds and can equal the power and torque of a 302 (or a lot more than a 302) for way, way less money...and as power goes up, the 302 deteriorates in reliability compared to a 460 with an equal upper-power level. And there are several kits available for bolting these engines into Fox bodies.