Best Selling Engine Combos From Top Engine Builders - Proven V-8 Power Trends

Big boost is the future of late-model horsepower. It usually burns clean, making mind-bending power.

Ford Modular 4.6L/5.4L
Last on the list of Ford engines is the Modular family introduced in the SN95 Mustangs. The reputation that these engines have as not worth modifying has fallen by the wayside, because several of the shops we called reported a major increase in Mod motors they're seeing. The most interesting combination we came across was Livernois Motorsports stroker package for the three-valve engines from '05-and-newer Mustangs. Its best-selling package is a 298ci engine. Mike Schropp at Livernois says these engines are all getting boosted, and, as such, the compression ratio is set at 9.5:1. As you'd expect, the engine comes with forged internals; many of the parts are made by Livernois in-house. So, you'll be getting a custom-made crankshaft, cylinder heads, and cams, plus custom Mahle pistons and Manley connecting rods. Schropp says that this engine package is available now and, under 25 psi of boost, makes 800 hp at the rear wheels of the shop's '05 Mustang. Don't need something that crazy? Want even more power? They'll work with you on any number of NA or boosted applications to suit your needs and credit-card limit.

Livernois Motorsports
Dearborn Heights, MI
313/561-5500
livernoismotorsports.com

What can we say about the Chevy 383? Build one and make an easy 525 hp.

Chevrolet 383
These days it's hard logging on to the Internet without running across a 383 package promising thousands of horsepower and is, of course, super cheap. All those choices can be overwhelming, so we phoned builders Speed-O-Motive to get their take on what the hot deal is. Without hesitation, Speed-O-Motive's Mike Dang referred us to its 525hp 383. It turns out that this is its most popular seller, and at a rate of about two per week, it outsells all other engine combinations. Not surprisingly, he was able to quote the specs by heart-new GM four-bolt block, two-piece rear seal nodular iron crank, forged rods and pistons, Dart Iron Eagle 215cc heads, 11.0:1 compression ratio, Comp Cams single-pattern solid roller-lifter camshaft, and roller rocker arms. Customers who opt for the complete turnkey engine will also get a Victor Jr. intake, Milodon 7-quart drag-race oil pan, Barry Grant Speed Demon 750-cfm carb, and an MSD Pro billet distributor, coil, and wires. Because the cam is ground with a healthy 0.525-inch lift and 248 degrees duration pattern on a 110-degree lobe center, Dang says the engine is probably not best suited for daily driving, though it will run OK on 91-octane gas. Instead, he says most buyers of this combo are drag-racers or weekend cruisers. And at less than eight grand for a turnkey engine that's been broken in for you on Speed-O-Motive's dyno, it's easy to understand why it sells so many of these things. END

Speed-O-Motive
West Covina, CA
626/869-0270
speedomotive.com

What we learned
Talking to 19 different engine builders revealed the prevalence of cheap stroker cranks in engine-building decisions. There was a time when the 496-inch big-block Chevy was considered an exotic monster. Today, if you aren't looking to build a 496 with your factory iron-block 454, you are making a mistake. Another little tidbit we picked up was that guys who buy aftermarket blocks are often boring them out the maximum size and buying the crank with the maximum throw for the biggest cubic inches possible. Big engines are everywhere, so we are also seeing cast-off blocks at the swap meet, and more often at prices that seem downright stupid. Tech Editor Jeff Smith's recent score of a used 496 short-block has been repeated by several readers who have been surprised to find 502 blocks in similar condition at an affordable price. It's not just Chevy, either-go to a racetrack swap meet and see how many used Ford stroker packages the Mustang racers are selling for dirt-cheap. Big is in. Go get some.