shop talk

The Ford - Chevy debate is almost always colored by the Chevy having more cubes than the Ford, especially in stock form. From the factory, larger cube Chevy cars are almost always faster than contemporary Fords. The 289 was often pitted against a 327 or 350. The 302 / 5.0 pitted against a 350 LT1. The 4.6 modular against a 350. In an equal match up, a built 289 can beat a 283, a built boss 302 can beat a chevy 302, a 351w can beat a 350, and a 351c can trounce a 350. And I think a trip to the strip shows that Ford strokers rule the small block world today? Big blocks are an odd story, the Ford 427 of the early-mid 60s was a real monster that could put a thumpin on anything of its day - the 427 Chevy or 426 Hemi. Then Ford decided to phase out serious big blocks after 1966, building mild variations of the 390 and 428 and 429 motors (none of which were very serious), While GM went on to build some bad ass 454/455 machines until 1972. Today, you can build a serious 385 series big block Ford to kick ass on just about anything. So the moral of the story is, GM builds them faster, but we build Fords that can beat them.

For me, that is why I love building Fords.

Well all I can say is I have no problems beating well built 350's with my little 308

The NASCAR guys are building 800 hp out of 358 cube small blocks that turn 9000+ rpm for 500 miles. Thats with normally aspirated single carbs running race gas. I'd bet if the rules were lifted they could get much more.

Lol! Great topic for some beers at 2am.

One mistake, though. As mentioned, you're comparing two completely different displacement engines. When it comes to small blocks, displacement is paramount. To be fair, you need to compare simular displacement engines. Compare a Ford 289 to a Chevy 302, the Ford will be faster. Compare the Ford 302 to the Chevy 305, the Ford will beat it every time. Compare the Ford 351 to the 350, agian, the Ford will walk all over it.

Keep in mind, I'm taking into consideration that the mods to each engine are identicle and the displacement of the engines aren't changed (not stroked or bored).

I've owned only GM until I picked up my '65 Ranchero. I always knew that a Ford with simular displacement and simular mods would be faster. So, when lining up at a stop light, my only hope was that my car had more modifications.

In stock form I think the chebbys have the advantage in head flow.What 302 Ford(except a boss) head had stock 2.02 valves?.I am 100% Ford but Lets face stock Ford heads suck without a great deal of work and after all a motor is an air pump and the on who pumps the most air wins! BUT once the work is done lookout. Go watch a "NMRA" event or a "Fun Ford Weekend" I not sure about the names of the classes they run but I know there are displacement limited non power adder classes that are Hauling ass for a little 302-306 motor.
Now when you talk about a boss 302 or a 351c with canted valves the bitches start whinning cause they know who the "BOSS" is then! They whine so much in fact they outlawed them in circle track racing. Even now Chebby produces(mostly big block) alot of "Iron" heads for their motors so they can dominate in classes that you can not run alum. heads in. Us ford guys have to hunt and search for over priced iron "CJ" heads or "DOVE" heads and put as much money in them as a good pr. of alum heads to compete and if you have the money and or know how you will spank their ass.

hehe im using all this info in the next time me and my buddies do this topic...except next time I'm gunna use all of the different displacements instead of just the 302 and the 350

Originally Posted by PaceFever79

And I think a trip to the strip shows that Ford strokers rule the small block world today?

Don't get me wrong, I love Fords, but what small block out there can compete with LS series engines? Please correct me if I'm wrong, but a small block Ford can't be stroked to 427in, can it?

(I'm assuming we aren't considering the current mod motors in the small block category)

A 351 windsor can

Problem with the LS series of engines is chevy took their small block in the 21st century and ford did not, but if you look at the LS series of engine it has alot in common with a 302.

Anyways aside from the small blocks getting crappy heads.

The FE got some amazing heads from the factory. so did the 335 and 385 series of engines and the 4.6 those heads are so good out of the box, and ford does such a great job of improving the engine lineup that there is no real reason for aftermarket heads. there will never be a need for race style heads right now, because for the price its cheaper to run the 302/335/385 series of engines.

The problem is, Ford, as far as production muscle, has always been one step behind the curve, when they could be ahead. By making a limited production 7 liter 4v modular motor, they could bury the Corvette LS instead of messing around with supercharged mouse motors. Respect comes with high output normally aspirated engines, like the Chevy LS and the BMW V8 M3. The new Shelby is in that same upper price range, it should have an exotic engine. Even if the new package was just a 5000 unit run.