351w / 400 Horsepower Engine
Below is a list of frequently questions and concerns
What application vehicles would this engine work best with ?
This engine will work nicely for a wide range of year & models. For instance Early to later model Mustangs, Kit Cars, Hot Rods & Trucks to name a few. We'll match up the necessary components to your vehicles requirements. For Example a 1966 V8 Mustang will require a different oil pan, flywheel, harmonic balancer and Water Pump than a 1985 Ford V8 Bronco! This engine is one of our best sellers!
What about idle quality and will I have enough vacuum to run my accessories ?
This is a pretty common question. We would rate this engine to have a more noticeable idle. Still acceptable idle of approx. 950-1000 RPMs for daily driven vehicles. Idle quality can be affected by a few things including whether you have a high Stall Speed Torque Converter attaching to your automatic Transmission or a Standard Transmission. Vacuum will be OK for running accessories like Air conditioning, Power Steering and Power Brakes.
What other engine will this engine interchange with ?
The 289 & 302 will swap over pretty easily in most cases. The 351w is approx. 2 inches wider than the 289 and 302 but most cars and trucks can accommodate it with the correct Headers. Speak to one of our guys on this. The great thing about the 351w is that it has the same engine mount location as well as it shares the same Transmission Bellhousing pattern as the 289 and 302. This makes it very easy way to gain more cubic inches / torque without making a hundred changes required to fit in a Big Block engine.. 4 and 6 cylinder conversions are also a possibility.
What octane gas does this engine require ?
All our engines will run on good quality pump gas. This engines compression is approx. 9.7 to 1 so it can run very comfortably within 91-92 octane range.
What is the Redline that this engine be taken up to ?
This particular engine we would suggest RPMs be kept to under 5800 RPMs.
What is the Power Range of the engine ?
1800 thru to 6000 RPMs You can really feel the torque!!
Will my stock Transmission work with this engine ?
In most cases the answer to this questions is Yes. A great deal of our customers re-use or freshen up their existing transmission. For mostly cruising around and / or laying down some rubber once in a while the factory transmission will hold up fine. Those of you who are doing holeshots and abusing the crap out of your car (You know who you are!) you may want to step things up. We may be able to give you some ideas or just talk to a Tranny guy. If your without a transmission and looking for advice on which to choose from. A heavier duty C4, C6 or a modified AOD Automatic Transmission will do the trick. For Manual Transmissions there's a lot available like the popular Tremec 5 or 6 speeds.
Will I need a higher Stall speed torque Converter to compliment this engine ?
This question applies to Automatic Transmissions only. A stepped up converter (2200-2400 range) will usually give you quicker acceleration off the line. The use of the vehicle has a lot to do with this too. Is it a grocery getter or Street / Strip application ?. Other factors like the weight of car or truck, gearing , tire size also come into play too. Speak to a Transmission expert on this.
Will it be required to change out my Rear End & What Rear end and Gearing is recommended with this engine ?
Your existing gearing may be just fine. This can always be changed out after the engine is installed. For the most part a rear end gear ratio of 3.55 up towards 4.11 would be ideal. The higher the numeric number, the faster off the line the car or truck will respond when you hit the throttle. But cruising RPM speed goes up as well. Most Trucks respond better to with Tall Gears because because they rarely see revs above 4000. But sometimes bigger is not always better. Determining the RPM range that you drive in most will help you make a more informed decision. Speak with a Rear end expert for some assistance on this matter.
Can I use my existing Exhaust manifolds? Are Headers required and what diameter should be used ?
Yes, you can bolt up your existing exhaust manifolds and in most if not all occasions that will be a direct fit. An engine performs much like an air pump the more efficient the air and fuel is delivered in and exits out the better and more responsive it will become. Headers could free up approx.15 Horses over stock Manifolds. The Edelbrock Aluminum Cylinder Heads on this engine have the same factory bolt pattern to work with pretty much any standard Header. Go too big and lose backpressure and rob low end response. Too small and it won't allow the engine to scavenge out exhaust gas quickly and possibly choking it of Horsepower. A general idea on Header sizes would fall in place of 1" 5/8 to 1" 3/4. Were not Header Experts so speak with someone who is.
What size Radiator is recommended ?
Last but not least! This engine or any other engine we offer needs to run cool to expect long term results out of it. A used / older radiator that has been sitting around is not worth cleaning and reusing . A new 3 or 4 core Radiator is a cheap investment compared to an overheated $5,000.00 engine! It's worth the investment to spend a couple of hundred bucks initially to get a new radiator. Pay a little now or pay Later philosophy. There's plenty of good Radiator companies out there
Back to the 351w / 400 HP Carbureted Engine
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