Improvements to be made to 429 Thunderjet???

[jaschancey]

I got the engine and transmission pulled from the 70 Bird last night and will probably try to tackle the fuel tank this weekend. I am working on a budget for the overall restoration project and am trying to figure out what to budget for the engine. Aside from boring it out to make it the same as the 460, what are some other improvements I could make to the engine? I would like to keep from boring the engine, in case I ever want to go back to all original. Here is what I would like from the car.

1) 550+ hp
2) Street Friendly
3) Nice sound, not too loud but mean enough for people to look
4) Quick 0-60 5.5 secs or under.
5) I want the A/C to work and not have to worry about killing the car at the stop sign.
6) Fuel Injection (I am looking at Mass Flo EFI right now)

I think I'm hitting all the high points. So go ahead and let me have it.

Thanks,
Jason

[97Bird]

Plan on at least $7,000 for a 550 HP big block! Save the old engine and buy a crate 460. Ford Racing M-6007-F460RT is a 550 HP 460 engine. Power ain't cheap! Good luck with your project!

[tubais]

429 is the same bore as a 460 already... different pistons and crank.. 500+ hp isn't really that hard to reach if your willing to research and do the work.... the best website for the 385 series engines is by far http://www.460ford.com/forum/index.php might take a little bit to get registered because its growing fast... they are knowledgeable and friendly if you don't act like a butthead,,, theres numerous engine build with dyno number access to head porting information well worth looking into