Building a new FE

[MustangGT]

Hi Guys.

I would like to build a new engine eventually but I'm thinking about starting to collect parts for it now to spread out the financial blow to my wallet.
I've been reading alot on several forums and it seems like some of the parts has become more or less standard in a new build.
Edelbrock heads and Edelbrock Performer RPM intake seems to be the norm.
I'm thinking about the Stage X heads from Survival.
I would also like a 445 stroker kit.
Headers will be FPA or JBA. Not sure about which one fits best.
Cam selection is wide open, I don't have a clue what I want/need. Hydraulic rollers maybe?
I'm looking at the new MSD Atomic EFI but I think it is too soon to jump in, I'd like to read more about peoples experiences with it first.

What I have now is a (as far as I know) fairly stock 390. It has a Performer 390(which I understand is not good), a MSD distributor and an unknown cam. Engine is still in the car so I have no idea what else is inside, if it has been bored etc.
Car is a '67 Mustang Fastback S-code, 9" rear axle with unknown LSD and approx 3.50 gearing, four wheel discs, Unisteer power rack and pinion, 4-speed toploader(to be replaced with a T56 Magnum which should be on its way from American Powertrain by now).
This is not a track car, street only. I'm looking for alot of low/mid torque, not high rpm.

Even if I'm new to V8's, I have been putting together 70-80 aircooled VW engines(mostly for drag race) over the years and about 15 transmissions. In other words, I'm pretty sure I know where the business end of a wrench is 
I've just ordered Barry R's FE book and I hope to be more enlightened after reading that.

The purpose of this thread is to hear what you guys think about the parts I mentioned. I'm wide open to any advice and feedback you guys would like to share 

Best regards
Morten

[machoneman]

You should also buy Jay's FE book, read both of them and then make up a speadsheet and start playing those
$$$ games. Tradeoffs are inevitable unless you just won the lottery....LOL! Like they say, real HP costs money, how much you got?

http://fepower.net/

Btw, the parts you mentioned, and it seems like you have none of them right now, sound fine but as you've done drag race engines/trannys before, it's easy to blow a huge hole in any budget without careful review, IMO at least.  

[MustangGT]

Thank you for your input machoneman 

Jay's book has just been ordered. Thanks for pointing me in that direction.

How much money I can spend? LOL, now that's a tough one, hehe. As you point out, my experience from building other engines tells me that there really isn't any limit as long as you want good stuff. I prefer to buy quality parts piece by piece and let it take as long as it takes over making shortcuts in quality and rush engines together. By saying that, I don't mean I'm ready to sink $30k into this engine either. No winning lottery tickets unfortunatly...
I'm thinking heads, intake and headers as stage one, then stroker kit and cam as the next stage. And then EFI, new exhaust etc as the finishing touch.

[rcodecj]

Thumbs up to the Stage X Edelbrock heads from Survival. I am very pleased with mine.  

I had a 67 fastback GT, 390 4-speed. black on black, still want it back.

[ScotiaFE]

Hey Morten
Good to see you jumping into the FE.
Good plan to read the ink from both Jay and Barry.
Some excellent recipes in them.
Although with some well thought out tuning you can get that old 390 to
make some good power and keep the cost down.
Shipping must be a major factor?

[jayb]

Nice looking car, Morten.  I'll bet it gets a lot of attention in Norway!

I'll get your book on the way to you tomorrow.

For your build, I think a Comp 282S solid cam would be hard to beat.  Lots of low end and midrange there.  You could also go with a roller setup, and you'd get more power out of it, but the additional cost would be substantial.  A 445" stroker with Edelbrock heads, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, and FPA headers along with the 282S cam would be a pretty good combination, I think.

[MustangGT]

Rcodecj: Thanks for your input. I think you should treat yourself to another Fastback 390 

Howie: As you know I was previously thinking about buying a turn-key engine from US but since I've been building engines for 30+ years, I really want to build it myself even though I am in unfamiliar territory.
Shipping cost IS a major factor, thats for sure. I just paid $770 USD in shipping only for the T56 tranny. On top of that comes the norwegian import tax which is 25% so I'm looking at another $1350 in taxes and fees when it arrives. Sometimes a store agree to put a lower value on the paperwork that goes with the package and send the real invoice in a seperate envelope and that helps alot, but I find that more and more often, stores wont do that anymore.

Jayb: Thanks! Yeah, it's a real head-turner, thats for sure. Almost every time it barks to life when I use it to work, filling gas etc, people come and want to see/hear it. No wonder when 99.7% of the other cars are rubberband powered and shoebox sized, hehe.
Thanks for your suggestion about cam. Might not be cost effective to go for a roller setup at this point. A solid cam means I would need a set of new rockers since the one I've got is not adjustable I guess.