After 10 years of storage, I have finally yanked the 289 heart out of my '65 coupe and the restoration (restomod) begins. For now I want to stick with the carbureted 289, BUT, not as stock. So here is my dilemma: What do I do to allow me to drive 2-3,000 miles a year, drive 70-80mph on the Eway, and still have a decent street performance? Oh by the way I am married with 3 children, 1@2 1/2 years old and 2@5 months, so finances are a limiting factor, for example $1500 Al heads are not going to happen THIS go-round. Since I am starting at ground zero, any suggestions will help. Thanks in advance.

I drive my Mustang 15,000 miles a year- everywhere, including long trips. I built the 289 myself with a rebuild kit with pistons, bearings, etc. I used the stock 1.74 inch little valve heads. You can get a porting kit for $ 30. I ported them myself. The key is to get that "bump" out of the exhaust runner and get a good head shop to do your work. (You probably don't have that bump with a 1965, mine's a 67) I balanced the chamber volumes and came up with 56 cc after the head work. Get a good machine shop for the block and heads! Unfortunately, I didn't measure my compression but it should work out to about 9 or 9.5 to 1 and runs fine on 87 Octane pump gas. I use a Comp Cams 268H with 218 @ .050. It rumps a little at idle but fully streetable - no problems, I'm really pleased with it. I run Edelbrock Performer intake and Dynomax headers with 2.5 inch exhaust. The engine SOUNDS GREAT (you'd think it's a 400 hp engine by listening to it) and runs strong up to 6000 RPM. I'll tell you something, though. If you want to go real fast, there's no substitute for cubes. My 289 would go a lot faster with a Manual tranny and some steep gears. I'm running a C4 with the stock 2.79 rear and it's slow off the line even with my 2000 stall. However, I don't want to sacrifice the gas mileage (16 mpg) and driveability (everybody in Atlanta goes 80 mph). I probably run high 14's but would get down to 14 with a good rear end. If you want streetability plus great quarter times, you've got to go with some more cubes, like a stroked 351.

Thanks, that was precisely the information I was looking for, but as you probably know the questions must continue. One thing I understand is exhaust. I have a shop that made an outstanding custom dual exhaust for my '97 F150 ex-cab and cannot wait to get their hands on the stang. I know how to get the air out, but what about in? K&N have made significant improvements in the less restrictive air filter region, but the filter needs to mount to something. I was planning on 650cfm without a high rise. I don't want to cut the hood just yet. I agree that more cubes is the way to go, but I need to get this thing done. My wife was looking through an issue of Mustang Monthly and spotted a '66 green/tan rag top with a 5.0 efi and said "..this is nice, if you ever get yours on the road.." That is an open door to start my second project!!