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Topic: Iron 460 handling (Read 6282 times) previous topic - next topic

Iron 460 handling

Reply #15 –
Quote from: ricktjr;231159
If the mach 1 springs dont work  I can always go heavier. The big block stays It's the cheapest way to 500 hp without juice. I must tell you though so far I just put the Eibach swaybars on and the difference going around corners is amazing. Unfortunately the harder cornering I did killed the old shocks on the car and now it sits until I can replace the whole suspension and since I want to replace the drivetrain anyway I'll do it all at once this winter.


As far as making 500hp i can see a 460 making that much power without spending as much money as say a 351, but how much is all the other things needed to convert a fox car to a BB going to cost you? I like the way my car handles and can't imagine dropping all that weight in the front of one of these. Even when my motor kicks the bucket and I build something else I'm sticking with the smallest V8 package with the most CID I can get out of it. I.E. 347 stroker.
What do you want a 500hp BB for anyways? If it's never going to see the strip what's the point then? If you want it to handle at all stay away from that BB. Big blocks are for old muscle cars that don't handle anyways and pickups that pull loads if you're afraid of the power potential of a turbo diesel.
GT40p 5.0 w/ vortech @ 9.5psi, 400rwhp

Iron 460 handling

Reply #16 –
It sounds like someone just wants a redneck tire smokin' machine.
Project 3G: Grandpa Grocery Getter-'85 Crown Vic LTD 2-door, 351W with heavily ported/polished GT40 heads, heavily ported/polished Typhoon Power Plus upper & lower intake, Comp Cams 265DEH retarded 1*, FAST EZ-EFI, HD T5, 8.8" 3.73 trac lock with extra clutches, 3G alt. swap, '99 CVPI front brakes, '09 CVPI rear disc brakes, '00 CVPI booster&m/c + wilwood adj prop valve.

Parted & Gone-'88 T-bird Sport, 351W swap, ported GT40 heads

Iron 460 handling

Reply #17 –
Quote from: ricktjr;231037
For anyone that's swapped an iron headed 460 into their cars did you notice a big handling difference ? How about aluminum ?  Thanks

In short:  You're going to need all the aluminum you can get.
1987 TC

Iron 460 handling

Reply #18 –
Quote from: Sick88Tbird;231234
It sounds like someone just wants a redneck tire smokin' machine.


LOL. Something like that.

Iron 460 handling

Reply #19 –
Quote from: 86elan;231175
As far as making 500hp i can see a 460 making that much power without spending as much money as say a 351, but how much is all the other things needed to convert a fox car to a BB going to cost you? I like the way my car handles and can't imagine dropping all that weight in the front of one of these. Even when my motor kicks the bucket and I build something else I'm sticking with the smallest V8 package with the most CID I can get out of it. I.E. 347 stroker.
What do you want a 500hp BB for anyways? If it's never going to see the strip what's the point then? If you want it to handle at all stay away from that BB. Big blocks are for old muscle cars that don't handle anyways and pickups that pull loads if you're afraid of the power potential of a turbo diesel.


I have to tell you I'm an operating engineer so I know all about big turbo diesels.

Iron 460 handling

Reply #20 –
Quote from: HAVI;231306
In short:  You're going to need all the aluminum you can get.


thats classic!!

I vote this be the quote of the day!!

Iron 460 handling

Reply #21 –
;)
Quote from: ricktjr;231037
For anyone that's swapped an iron headed 460 into their cars did you notice a big handling difference ? How about aluminum ?  Thanks



I can tell you firsthand about an all iron 460 87 TC because I built and drive one.

First, it handles better than I thought it would ever with the factory 140 K mile 4 cyl. springs that came with the car. It will handle even better when I put the factory sway bar back on the front.;)

Check out my link in my sig to all the pics of my maroon 87 460 TC.

I never touched the front suspension when I did the conversion.:D  Check out the ride height. (stock)

It has cast iron exhaust manifolds, cast iron water pump, and an aluminum intake.

Just my hands-on experience, not presumed (never-tried) assumptions.;)
Alan Mackin--Semi Professional Ford der
83 T-Bird 460
83 T-Bird Heritage 5.0
84 T-Bird 5.0
86 T-Bird Turbo Coupe NHRA Stocker & Super Stocker
87 T-Bird Turbo Coupe
88 Bronco II Drag truck 302
95 Mustang GT auto
2004 F-350 CC Dually V-10

Iron 460 handling

Reply #22 –
so the 87 has stock springs and holds up/,,,,, thats awesome....and hey how much do you have into those blocks?  Pistons/ rockers/ intake? the 87 looks close to stock.. but im probably wrong...
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Just enjoyin the ride!!!!

Iron 460 handling

Reply #23 –
I think my stroked 460(545) in my truck is WAAAAYY more reliable than my tc at the moment.  My truck sat for 9 months without running and not doing a thing to it.  wiped the clutch out in my tbird, and got the truck running, put gas in in, and two days later went and raced it.  That engine has been together for 4 years and hasnt been apart other than to check bearings when I poped out a soft plug.  Its making 487rwhp/493 rwtq on pump gas. 1/4 times in sig:D But as far as handling in a fox tbird, no idea.  Even though it'll go in there, I just dont see any reason too, due to all the heavy reinforcement it would need to be able to handle any of that power without twisting.  Hell, I'm afraid I'm gonna twist my car with the  4 cylinder

88 t-bird tc - 14.97 @ 90  IHI 18 psi + k+n filter...so far - NOW HX-35 @25psi - 12.75@112    348rwhp/395rwtq
78 F-150 - 11.61@120 on 175shot N20 - 12.55@110 on motor - 5200# race weight:hick:

Iron 460 handling

Reply #24 –
I think you need the man'o war 460 small block!  Of course if you can afford a $14,000 crate motor....
~1988 thunderbird~
In hibernation, waiting for spring.

Iron 460 handling

Reply #25 –
Quote from: massCougarxr7;233645
so the 87 has stock springs and holds up/,,,,, thats awesome....and hey how much do you have into those blocks?  Pistons/ rockers/ intake? the 87 looks close to stock.. but im probably wrong...


The engine in the pics I paid $ 100.00 for out of a truck. It burns oil a little. Can't wait to find time to put in the new engine.

I was very surprised out how well those 4 cyl. springs have held up.:D

It will NEVER handle like it did with the turbo 4, but it drives and feels pretty good tho.

In contrast, our Gray 83 460 Bird has moroso trick front springs and it really doesn't handle well at all. Doesn't matter, it wasn't built to turn corners anyway.
Alan Mackin--Semi Professional Ford der
83 T-Bird 460
83 T-Bird Heritage 5.0
84 T-Bird 5.0
86 T-Bird Turbo Coupe NHRA Stocker & Super Stocker
87 T-Bird Turbo Coupe
88 Bronco II Drag truck 302
95 Mustang GT auto
2004 F-350 CC Dually V-10

Iron 460 handling

Reply #26 –
Quote from: 87tbirdmanjwg;233892
I think you need the man'o war 460 small block!  Of course if you can afford a $14,000 crate motor....


Already thought of that. The shortblock is $ 5,000 assembled.
Alan Mackin--Semi Professional Ford der
83 T-Bird 460
83 T-Bird Heritage 5.0
84 T-Bird 5.0
86 T-Bird Turbo Coupe NHRA Stocker & Super Stocker
87 T-Bird Turbo Coupe
88 Bronco II Drag truck 302
95 Mustang GT auto
2004 F-350 CC Dually V-10
 

Iron 460 handling

Reply #27 –
Quote from: 83-88T-Bird Guy;233911
The engine in the pics I paid $ 100.00 for out of a truck. It burns oil a little. Can't wait to find time to put in the new engine.

I was very surprised out how well those 4 cyl. springs have held up.:D

It will NEVER handle like it did with the turbo 4, but it drives and feels pretty good tho.

In contrast, our Gray 83 460 Bird has moroso trick front springs and it really doesn't handle well at all. Doesn't matter, it wasn't built to turn corners anyway.


Thanks for your replies it's good to hear from someone who tried it.