Thread: most hp from a 351W??

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Hey guys, rookie hotrodder here. Just bought a 69 Mustang fastback and want to build a 351W for it. Mostly streetable, but capable of low 12s/high 11s the few times I'd race it. C-4 tranny, 3:25 gears. Is a stroker the way to go?? How much, 377, 408, 427??? Any other suggestions for horsepower/torque?? Have $10,000 to spend. Would appreciate your expertise. Thanks a lot!!!

Here's my take on this.
Start with a late model 5.0 EFI motor and bolt on a centrifugal blower with intercooler. You'll make more streetable power than you ever could by building a naturally aspirated 351W. Tweak the EFI and be done with it.

With the proper tuning on the rear suspension and a good set of slicks, you could regularly be in the 10's, then drive it home from the dragstrip. How could it get any better?

I agree with techinspector. You will save money and parts are easier to find with a 5.0 efi, plus better all-around gas mileage. I would get rid of the c-4 and the gears. You can keep the c-4 if you want to spend the money to get it to handle the 400 hp you speak of, or you can swap in a T56 or a built to the hilt T5. You didn't say what size rearend you have (9" or 8") but it may require some attention before you go drag racing, ie rebuild bigger gears 3.55-4.11 5.0L with boost like rpm to a certain extent, but if you keep a 3speed auto your rpm may be a little high for daily driving with 3.73 and higher. My 5.0 stang runs around 3k rpm @ 70 mph.

Thanks for the info guys. Are there any advantages for going with a carb vs EFI?? Was kinda hoping to stay "old school" here, keeping it simpler. I've heard horror stories about "add-on" power adders (ie- NOS, superchargers, turbo), so I'm concerned to go down one of those roads. I've read about some BIG small blocks, 440 & 460, from a 351 block!!! Any info on those, price, performance??? Thanks for taking the time to answer!!! Oh, and this is a 6 cyl car now, so I plan on "beefing-up" several things like front susp, brakes, steering, tranny, rearend, etc.... It's a beautiful car, but is it going to be worth it?? I hope so!!! Thanks again!!!

tell us what horror stories you've heard....

Anything that works on a 302 will work on a 351, except the intake manifold. If you want cubes, do a 460.

OK, so "horror" might be a little dramatic. But, how about more upkeep/maintenance, things to adjust/go wrong, bolt-ons not fitting???? My limited "hot-rodding" experience concerns me when I think about anything other than a good ole V-8 with a 4 barrel carb! Suggestions for me and my small block?? Thanks guys!!!!!

in my opinion EFI and carb are equally good, they both have your ups and downs, EFI is more problematic to setup and a little more expensive... you can get a lot of power gain from it fine tuning.... carbs are generally simple to bolt on and be ready to go, you can fine tune a carb too... but definately just not as close as EFI