[KILBANE]

I am still tossed between a 289 or a 351/427 stroker build. I know I can probably get 15-20 MPG with a 289 build. What kind of figures am I looking at for a street strip 351 stroker build as opposed to a street strip 289 build? I just don't want to have regretted building the 289 after it's done. Is the 351 stroker really worth the pain and the $$$? I know I will be able to get to the gas station quicker with the 351 and win most races.
What would you guys do? I am billing the Fastback build to the house. :: :wall:

 

[bbenthin]

Are you planning on daily driving this car?

 

[7_Hubcaps]

Are you planning on daily driving this car?

Exactly. Here, let me try a little table, on the fuel costs of driving 1000 miles:

...............10 mpg...15 mpg...20 mpg
$2.00/gal: $200.00..$133.33..$100.00
$2.50/gal: $250.00..$166.67..$125.00
$3.00/gal: $300.00..$199.99..$150.00

At $2.50/gal and 5000 miles per year, it costs $625 more per year to drive a gas guzzling 10/mpg monster than a gas sipping 20 mpg yawner ($1,250 vs. $625), or $416.67 more than an actually hi-po 15 mpg car ($833.33). The 15 mpg hi-po car costs only $208.33 more per 5000 miles than the gas sipper. To me, $208.33 per year is a non-factor.

 

[Ronstang1966]

There is no use in trying to figure out the gas mileage of a prospected high horsepower engine. If you want mileage stick with a 289/302 build and keep it moderate. If you are worried about gas mileage a stroker large cubic inch engine is not for you.

Do you enjoy driving your car? Do you like to drive your car a lot? Do you plan on racing your car on a track often? If so, is track performance your main goal?

If the answer to the first two questions are yes and no to the second two then you don't need the stroker. Let's be realistic. A lot of people want to build their dream car and once they do they realize the car is almost useless on the street. This is a waste in my opinion. You simply cannot take advantage of 500HP on the street and truly enjoy it, unless just knowing it is there while you putt around getting 7 mpg is fine with you.

I always strive to build a fun, reliable, totally streetable, and enjoyable car. However fast the car is after meeting all my criteria for enjoyable useage is perfect for my needs. I never set goals on HP. I build the car for a purpose and the HP falls into the place it belongs for that purpose.

I realize a lot of people are going to disagree with me and that is fine as this is merely my opinion and formula. I am not trying to offend anyone as some people want a huge engine an that is their goal, and that is fine for them.

 

[HoosierBuddy]

I wouldn't even do a small block stroker if I was going to use it as a daily driver. By daily driver, I mean a car you are going to put 10,000 to 20,000 miles more per year. I did a post a while back to get MPG figures from people who had actually checked their milage VS those that just pull a number out of their ass. Do a search if you'd like.

Anyway...the 17 MPG I'm getting out of my 289 was better than most. That's WITH a automatic overdrive. The thing was getting more like 13 with the C4. THAT'S A 289!

If you want to daily drive it and you want the best situation in the world...I think you ought to do a 5.0 swap and go with the stock Ford EFI. Put in a T5 or an AOD and 3.55's and you'll have a car that will get with the program OR get 20+ MPG all day long. There is simply no comparison in drivability between a carb and EFI.

The only thing I prefer about the induction on my 289 vs the 5.0 in my '89 GT is how it looks. The electric choke on the holley is touchy. You have to let the car warm up for 5 - 10 minutes before you drive off in it in the morning. Despite my best efforts, the exhaust reeks of gasoline at idle. Etc. Etc. There's a reason Ford hasn't put a carb on a mustang in the last 20 years.

Phil

P.s. to answer your question, a 427 carbed stroker with a non-overdriven tranny and 3.55 gears or lower? I'll guess 7 MPG if you're getting on it...10 if you baby it.

 

[gotstang]

I agree with RonK...build something useable and fun. I've seen people squeeze 20MPG+ out of a mild 302 and no OD, with mild gears. OTOH, you could build a 400hp 289 that would be streetable, and with a 5spd, might even get some kind of mileage...if you're lucky. ::

I'm shooting for 340hp, 21mpg, and low 13s on slicks. I'll add N20 if I race it a lot. I'm not so sure my lead boots would allow for that good of mileage, but I can hope. ::
HTH
--Kyle

 

[Flattman]

Either way you do it, there will be times you wish you had done it the opposite way...it's human nature.

I concur that unless it's a daily driver or long-range cruiser, screw the gas mileage and go for what you really want (which is really the 351/427 stroker). Sounds cooler and a bigger wow factor for sure.

Or if you're worried about range, drop in a newer 20 gallon tank with the 351 stroker motor and you might be close to where you'd be with the 289 build and the 16 gallon tank. That is until the wheels on the gas pump stop spinning and it's time to open your wallet.

 

[jbsteven]

I get 8 mpg on my 347 stroker.

 

[KILBANE]

It's not going to be a daily drive but more of a weekend bad-ass cruiser/dominator. I know I can't have both, but I will try. I don't want to be stuck with a nice 289 and have to worry about getting shown up when I want to show off. Then again, I don't want to be committed to a race engine when I want to take it wine tasting. I've been leaning on the 289 build and then converting over to FI and just keeping it streetable and fun. I raced my BMW at Sears Point and had a blast, I would like to do that again with my 2+2.
I'm torn right now. My car is at the paint shop getting its last coat of clear and will be coming home soon. I need to make up my mind. I have all the parts for the 289 build in my garage so I might just go with it and do a stroker later. Who knows!

For now I just want to get your opinions and thoughts.

 

[Verndog]

My 351W is fairly stock. I've added performer, true dual with x pipe, Holley 600, and MSD pro billet. That combination and stock 2.75 gearing I get 18-19 mpg hiway. The car has very nice low end torque, and plenty enough for trouble on the top end. If I had more power, it would be rarely used, in fact I rarely use all of what I have.

 

[red1970mustang]

My 393 with 5 speed and 3.50 gears has averaged 14.3 for the last 13,000 miles. Only gets 15 on the highway. I have to disagree with too much horsepower for the street. The car is a blast to drive, but then again I do mostly just putt around. A lightly modified 289 makes a great street engine. To each his own. Build what you want to drive.

 

[bbenthin]

Have you thought about an FI 331 somewhere in the 350hp range?

 

[CAponyboy]

If I was restoring a mustang I'd be thinking of FPG not MPG

(Fun Per Gallon)

If you are even debating parting with your 289 for a stroker engine....I would beef up the 289 and add a decent rear end.

It all depends on how far you want to take the build process and how much you want to spend.

 

[KILBANE]

I think I will try to sell all my 289 stuff first. If that doesn't sell, then I will build it and use it for now. I will then, build my 427 stroker while driving the 289 around. I am thinking of a FI 427. Yeah, that's it.

 

[johnpro]

What I would do, is build the '65 as a nice 289 with an overdrive, then get a heavier car with bigger weel wells and build a stroker ... oh, wait, that's what I DID do :rofl:

Here's some random thoughts from my own exeprience:

My daily driver (365 days a year in all weather) is the '66 in my sig pic. On the way to Knott's last April, I averaged 20mpg and got the best MPG in our "convoy". Then I drove it to the track 2 months ago, and without even tunning it up, ran 14.1's and 14.2's all day, beating many 302's and a few 351w's (and got beat by Daveoxides 351w by .02 seconds). Why can't I run in the 13's? Because I can't fit enough tire in the wheel wells to get any traction.

On the other hand, I've been driving my '69 with the 408 and Tremec all this week to work to get some miles on the clutch so I can take it to the Dyno. I go 52 miles round trip and go through more than 1/4 tank a day ... taking it easy and a lot of freeway driving. Now I have traction, now I have power, and I have yet to find a road where I can put my foot to the floor for more than 10 seconds at a time. In other words, unless you live in the country, you CANNOT use all the HP of a 408 on the streets ... at least not without getting tickets or killing innocent by-standers. :lol:

Not trying to convince you one way or the other. I know I have the best of both worlds, so just wanted to share some pro's and con's of each.