427 - 390 hp is it worth it ?

[Bernard B.]

Considering the price of the car;

Is the 427 cu in 390 hp an interesting power package ?

Is it faster that the small blocks ?
Is it much slower than the 427 - 425 or 435 hp ?

Thanks

Bernard

[Michael M.]

Re: 427 - 390 hp is it worth it ?

What year car and what's the price?

[Jack C.]

Re: 427 - 390 hp is it worth it ?

Start by telling us if it's a 66, 67, 68, 69. Right from the go that means quite a bit.

[Terry M.]

Re: 427 - 390 hp is it worth it ?

Start by telling us if it's a 66, 67, 68, 69. Right from the go that means quite a bit.

Or 1970.

[Mike Z.]

Re: 427 - 390 hp is it worth it ?

Bernard-I have 3 66 model cars: 1) 327/350HP Convertible, Duntov Mark of Excellence award winner, 2) 427/425HP Coupe, National Top Flight, and 3) 427/390HP, Project next, but have had the car about 15yrs. 2 top, side pipe very original car.

The SB car is silky smooth, a very fun driver and has air-never gets hot-just plain fun to drive.

The 425HP coupe is the least fun to drive, because it is always on the verge of overheating, weak low end torque, but puts a smile on your face at full song. There is no way I saw the car passing a PV-it would have melted down.

The 390HP is the best of both worlds-In my opinion. I have not put the two BB cars on the strip, but they would not be far apart at the end-based on several years of drag racing experience. The 390 is well balanced, plenty of low end grunt making for a very fun drive. It is not hard to live with, never gets hot and is very smooth, almost as smooth as the SB-maybe it is the sidepipes vs. under car that makes me think it is not as smooth, but sounds great.

The most scared I think I have every gotten in a car is when the 390 car was cold, stumbling and just would not idle (now fixed)-I brought the revs up trying to keep it running and dumped the clutch. Before I knew it, the car had swapped ends from one side of the street to the other-it was a wild thing! So, power is not a concern with the 390HP cars.

Have fun with whatever you decide to buy, but I can highly recommend the 390HP cars. I hope this humble opinion helps you in making your decision.

Mike Zamora
#12455

[Paul H.]

Re: 427 - 390 hp is it worth it ?

I just got back from a "spirited" drive in my 68 427/390 with a turbo 400 automatic. It breaks the tires loose shifting into 3rd gear and makes plenty of low end torque. I prefer the single carb big block as it's two less to cause you problems. It will walk away from my 65 350 horse. To me it is a civil 427 that is just as happy loafing along as it is at 5500 rpm's. I previously owned a 67 400 horse and this car feels a little quicker but they are close.

[Ronald L.]

Re: 427 - 390 hp is it worth it ?

Mike,

The radiator and shroud are the same for 425/390 cars, block, pump, etc. Could it be other issues causing the over heat?

I just put a new DeWitts exact copy rad into my 66 390 and it sits and percolates just fine, even when the ambient is 90+. Heater core, hoses, pump rebuilt, and a new (almost correct) fan clutch were key.

[Dennis S.]

Re: 427 - 390 hp is it worth it ?

Bernard
If you want to drive the car, then the hydraulic lifter / pump gas 390 hp motor is the way to go. Least up front cost and least amount of maintenance trying to keep it in tune. If you have the money to spend and would rather just look at it sitting in your garage, then go for the 435 hp solid lifter / higher compression motor and keep a barrel of race fuel nearby. Since I can't afford to have six figures invested in this hobby, I chose the 390 hp motor and really enjoy driving it. A recent rebuild of the original motor has yielded 408 hp on the engine dyno, as well as 500 ft-lbs of torque at 3100 rpm...previously referred to in this thread as "low end grunt." I can break my P235-60 street hides loose without using the clutch and get the car all sorts of sideways. Unless you plan on trying to set some kind of land speed record, which is probably not advisable with a 41-44 year old car on public roads, then I don't think the 425 or 435 motors will give you any more bang for the buck. Just my 2 cents.

[Joe R.]

Re: 427 - 390 hp is it worth it ?

Bernard,

I have the 66 425 hp. It is a lot of fun to drive, plenty of torque for me. Granted, I have not driven the 390 hp. No barrel of race fuel required, just premium fuel. There were no overheating issues either (once I replaced the fan clutch!).

Joe

[Ronald L.]

Re: 427 - 390 hp is it worth it ?

It costs more to go out to the movies and most of those are trash these days anyways or the popcorn is, than a nice ride with the top down on 110 fuel that has no alcohol. Side pipe noise will get you out of the car before the tank is empty! Nothing wrong with the 390. If the real intent here is to understand if a 390 car is worth the price, yes, it is the 427 and those always garner a premium.

[Wayne W.]

Re: 427 - 390 hp is it worth it ?

The 390 has more torque in the lower RPM range. It would be faster than a 435 stop light to stoplight assuming the same transmission and rear gear.

[Joe T.]

Re: 427 - 390 hp is it worth it ?

I can't say enough GOOD things about my 390/427. Its been a while since I have driven it, but its the best of all worlds from my recollection....I wanted a small block when I bought mine, but the deal was too good to pass up. Now, I wouldn't trade that powerplant for anything else.

[Joe L.]

Re: 427 - 390 hp is it worth it ?

Considering the price of the car;

Is the 427 cu in 390 hp an interesting power package ?

Is it faster that the small blocks ?
Is it much slower than the 427 - 425 or 435 hp ?

Thanks

Bernard

Bernard-----


An L-36, 427 cid/390 hp is BY FAR a better street engine than any 425 or 435 hp 427. FAR, FAR-AND-AWAY better. Period.

[William C.]

Re: 427 - 390 hp is it worth it ?

I've owned two of each over the years, and the 390 is a much better driver, well mannered, and bulletproof. 425 needs much more attention and is much more demanding of maintenance and high priced gas (which it consumes LOTS of). On the other hand, the 425 will get more attention at the drive-in eatery if that is what you are looking for.