351W vs 460 *Production blocks*

I did a search on here using 351 vs 460, 351W vs 460, even just 351 and got nothing... So if I missed it and I can imagine this has been asked a lot, sorry!  

I'm building my 68 mustang into a drag car. I can't decide on what engine to use. At heart I want to use a 460 because it makes sense to use a 460 because it's a big block, and you know the old saying "no replacement for displacement".

Then I think of the 351w, it's bigger than a 302 and its lighter than a 460.

I'm not to familiar with either engine. My 70 Torino has a 460 in it but I'm still building it so I haven't driven it yet.

My 68 mustang currently has a 302 in it. I hear the production blocks are limited to the 500hp range.

I'm limiting my selection to production blocks. Simply due to the fact that I don't have a ton of money to drop on an aftermarket block. I would rather pull a production block from the junkyard, rebuild it with forged Pistons and nitrous. Maybe build a stroker. I can stretch 2k more on parts then just a spending it on a block alone. That will be the goal some day but, right now is my introduction to drag racing.

Thanks!!

If you are asking about block strength and power capability there is no contest ... the 385 big block series for sure.

Okay cool that's good to know. So the 385 series....

Yea I was mainly referring to max hp levels and torque, as well as engine strength.

Does anyone know max block hp level? Production block

Andre.servin wrote:Does anyone know max block hp level? Production block

I've made over 800 hp with a 2 bolt d0ve-A block.

cool40 wrote:

Andre.servin wrote:Does anyone know max block hp level? Production block

I've made over 800 hp with a 2 bolt d0ve-A block.

YEP ... I have gotten to well over 900 horsepower with a 501" engine using A-heads and a tunnel ram going to 8,800 RPM; I would have used a better block for that customer but, rules required an "O.E.M. mass production block"; no matter what the brand.

A 2 bolt block with half filled water jackets.

We have made almost 700hp on a stock 351w block with lots of time in it....the big block will take alot more power with out all the block prep and be cheaper than a small block to make the same power

Cool sounds great! Thanks! 460 it is!

Take your stock block and add a 4.5" stroke crank.  Lower crank rpm, but definatly going to do more than you could have done with a 408 stroker kit in the 351w block.

What does that stroke it out too?

545 cu in in stock bore,  or 552 with a .060 over bore stock block.

Just throwing this out there if you've never built a BB before. There are a few other things to consider before cramming a BB into your little Mustang. For one the sheer size of the drivetrain and everything necessary to make the car safe to hold that kind of power.
I recently rebuilt My 1970 Ford Thunderbird 4 door that originally had a 429. This car is a Land yacht. I thought this car is so big I couldn't over build the engine. I only did a mild build too. swapped in a 460 crank, .030 over stock block, did some porting, Cobra valves and studs on the Dove-C iron Heads, Bigger Cam, Forged pistons, stock rods, new Intake, 850cfm Carb, Mallory Ignition sys. I actually lowered compression to keep it on pump gas as it was more for cruising that drag. Only makes about 500hp. Luckily It already had a 9" rear but I swapped to 3:55 gears and a full locker. Still Weighs in at ~4,500lbs. This thing still has way to much torque. I Put 12" wide tires and can still break them loose @ 15MPH roll. And completely undrivable if it's wet outside.
All this to say Bigger may not be better. If your gonna go all out drag then open your wallet but if you want a streetable car then you may want to consider dialing it down.

Be aware, this original post was 8 years ago.

Diggin up bones! But hey we need some more conversations on here !

dfree383 wrote:Diggin up bones! But hey we need some more conversations on here !

You been working on anything cool?

BOSS 429 wrote:

dfree383 wrote:Diggin up bones! But hey we need some more conversations on here !

You been working on anything cool?

Got most everything collected to do a 393 for a street rod of mine, 400 Mopar street clunker going together, working on installing a 528” Hemi in my 64 Polaria and some small block ford stuff for other projects.

Started on a 460 for my 86 gt too.