As I said in my other thread, I am planning to build an economy FE to put in a Shelby Cobra replica. I have a very strict budget, and doing the math, and a bit of research, I've decided I can afford one of two combinations:
1. 390 stock stroke with 10:1 compression, Edelbrock or Streetmaster heads and a cam to fit.
2. 390 stroker with similar or slightly lower compression, stock heads and a cam to fit.
Both would have an Edelbrock RPM manifold and carb to fit.
Based on a bunch of advice, I'm looking at a 3.73 final diff ratio, either WR Toploader or TKO 600 RR and a goal of under 2300 pounds, dry.
I was planning initially to do the 390, but then I talked to a couple guys who liked strokers with stock heads and read this article:
http://www.mustangandfords.com/how-to/engine/1410-how-to-build-a-390fe-stroker-500-pound-feet/The question is, how relevant are good heads and a stroked crank to a car that will be assertively driven between 30-65 mph (ok, maybe a titch more than that, but other traffic and police enforcement are scarce out here), on typical country roads for 90% of use?
Alternatively, there could be a third or even fourth choice out there I am overlooking. Any and all relevant input would be appreciated.