66, getting 400HP out of a Windsor, like everyone else has mentioned, is easy. Please understand, though, it’s going to suck gas. Getting high teens will be impressive if you lean hard towards power.
I was 16 with the same ’65 I’ve got now. I had a pretty decent 289 at the time. I grew up driving the car, and unless she’s getting an upgrade, I like to drive her to work. That being said, here’s some “real world” experience from someone who’s been in your shoes and someone who’s in your parents’ shoes.
I don’t know your driving experience, so please give me some room here, okay? I don’t know if you grew up driving F1 cars or if you learned to drive in your dad’s 1972 Ranger. That being said, it’s going to take a lot of work to make your car safe to drive on today’s streets. Let me qualify that a bit. Today’s cars, in comparison to what you have, are pretty amazing with regards to handling. Typically, they’re going to be able to out accelerate you most of the time, out corner you almost all of the time, and with almost complete certainty, out brake you in frightening amounts. That means that EVEN IF you’re a really spiffy driver, the other guys probably aren’t BUT are used to being around other cars that handle like them. They don’t understand the differences in your car and theirs. They don’t care, either. They’ll stop short, pull out in front of you, and cut you off just like the guys who have nimble little Coopers. THIS is an issue regardless of how good you are. Forget about you. Your ability may not even be in the equation.
That being said, a 400HP stroker won’t keep you alive. If I were 17 again in today’s world, and knew what I know now, I’d put in a fuel injected 302 in my car, and forget about power until I had enough
suspension and brakes to feel REALLY safe out there. If you’ve already got the engine and all, cool! Roll on with it, but keep in mind that
suspension and traction will keep you alive.
While you’re working on your motor, put aside some funds to put AT LEAST front discs on. Also, you may want to look at some serious
suspension mods to keep you alive out there. I’d do whatever it took to get rid of bump steer for sure.
Also, I’d recommend the BEST TIRES you can get under your wheel wells. I run Toyo T1-S’s on my ’65, and rain is no issue. I really REALLY like Toyo tires. To me, they’re worth the extra money. There are other good tires out there, I know, but they’re my choice. I’d skimp on drivetrain before I’d skimp on tires. A built toploader and 9” won’t save you when you hit some unexpected water in a corner.
If you’re going to drive this car much, one thing you ARE going to learn how to do is . . . drive! A ’65 or ’66 is nothing like a modern car. It’s not a car you can “forget” about. She’s like a really hot girlfriend . . . lots of fun, but if you take your eyes off of her for a second, you can lose her. The good thing is that once you learn how to keep that girl, keeping a modern “girl” will be a lot easier. UNFORTUNATELY, your old girl will be about as forgiving as my Sicilian wife and will recover almost as fast.
And before you tune me out, lol, I WAS your age with about the same car. I think I’ve replaced EVERYTHING but the trunk, roof, and passenger side rear panel. And yeah, I was a relatively good driver at 16/17.
I hope I didn’t blow this off track. I just want you to have the best AND LONGEST LASTING experience with your car that you can have . . . and when it’s over, STILL HAVE THE CAR.