289 performance upgrades?

[gump22]

Just looking for ideas on where to start the improvements to increase the HP out of a stock 289, in my '67 coupe. I believe FORD's specs on this engine are: 200HP, 4.00" bore x 2.87" stroke, 9.3 to 1 comp., 2 barrel carb.
Help me out here HP lovers.
THNX

[maxmav]

don't know if you already have one but make it a 4 barrell carb instead of a 2 barrel with an aluminum intake manifold its one of the first things i do to all engines that i get my hands on cause it easy to do

or put on headers and an exaust system

or go full out like i did to my 351 windsor and put a supercharger on it if you got the money and time

personally i would drop in a newer 302 engine instead of the 289

[SVTcobra306]

Your 289 will be fine. Just do some research on what kind of pistons you have, you want forged ones. A good combo of heads, cam, intake, and carb with a free-flowing exhaust and a good tune will get you over 300 HP. If I had more experience with a 289 I'd make more specific recommendations, but look around. The Smallblock Ford (289-302-351) has as many head and intake choices as a SBC...

[dramey_2004]

the cheapest things you can do to improve hp is 4 barell carb and intake manifold, but the best thing to do dollar for dollar is to put a smaller head gasket you are at 9.5 to 1 now if you go to 10.5:1 you should get about 80 more hp out of that engine and parts are under 120 dollars. post and questions

[gump22]

Thanks for the tips guys.
I have never heard of using smaller head gaskets to increase the compression ratio, will it really make that big of a difference?
As for the forged pistons, how will I know if I have them without breaking the engine apart? I am guessing that the factory 2 barrel 289 wouldn't have forged pistons, but it was rebuilt by the previous owner, so possibly.
I have heard rumors of 100 HP gains with the simple installation of $1600.00 Elelbrock aluminum heads, any opinions on that?

[maxmav]

just put Elelbrock aluminum heads on a 460 big block for my brother and he gained about 150 more horse power but he's running 11.5-1 compression on 94 octane now

we also used TRW pistons

another thing we did while the whole engine was apart was port and polish the heads and port match them with the intake for better flow

it was our first time doing it but worked out pretty good

we'll be the same to my 351 windsor soon to see what we can get out of it

[SVTcobra306]

If you used the upgrades I listed with a good cam and the right carb, you will end up with over 300 HP. Easily. As for heads, pick 'em. Edelbrocks (60379's), AFR 165's, You could even make 300 with a set of junkyard GT-40P's off a 97-98 explorer 5.0.....