Nobody likes the 289. It's a small V-8, but come on. It isn't that bad. When it first came out. It was a kickass little engine and it will scream. I have a buddy who races his 65 tang with a 289. The engine dyno came out to be 495 hp. 500hp isn't bad for not using a blower or nos or anything else. When I get the 1/4 mile times, I'll post them.