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FE Technical Forum / Re: S Code 390 - practical power increase if keeping stock heads / exhaust
« on: December 30, 2025, 10:48:42 PM »
Hey there Stangman,
I just based my thoughts on the performance and longevity aspect. Thinking of when opening up the carb quickly with a smaller motor and a big plenum, there would be a considerable power bog at the start. I know this could be compensated for some with a more aggressive accelerator cam. Or a larger pump, but that could wash the cylinders more and could be a problem sooner than later. To be clear as I can on that thought, I’m not saying in a thousand miles the combo would ruin the engine! But it could shorten the life by 20,000 to 40,000 miles in comparison, in a longevity consideration.
I’m just keeping the conversation going for us to think about thus stuff. And in all fairness, Jay’s book stated the most power a 390 made was with an old school Streetmaster with plenum work and a 1” open spacer. That is an argument itself with my F-427 theory if you think about it…. That all said, the Streetmaster intake will not look original(!!) , and does not have the PCV hook-up provision.
Mike
I just based my thoughts on the performance and longevity aspect. Thinking of when opening up the carb quickly with a smaller motor and a big plenum, there would be a considerable power bog at the start. I know this could be compensated for some with a more aggressive accelerator cam. Or a larger pump, but that could wash the cylinders more and could be a problem sooner than later. To be clear as I can on that thought, I’m not saying in a thousand miles the combo would ruin the engine! But it could shorten the life by 20,000 to 40,000 miles in comparison, in a longevity consideration.
I’m just keeping the conversation going for us to think about thus stuff. And in all fairness, Jay’s book stated the most power a 390 made was with an old school Streetmaster with plenum work and a 1” open spacer. That is an argument itself with my F-427 theory if you think about it…. That all said, the Streetmaster intake will not look original(!!) , and does not have the PCV hook-up provision.
Mike
