[cutta]

Originally Posted by MICROMACHINE72

Definitely heads and intake. first motor with a very flat power curve gave up at 367 hp.. only 6500-rpm. I needed at least another 100-125hp to make it even fee sable. The 5.4 mod con rods could not take the heavy TRW slugs either. even with max lightening, piston-pin. Motor needs custom pistons, big dome, big$$$ and alumn. rods, no doubt, I new that going in.. I think the flat tappet cams would have worked, but needed a much better head than my home ported 240 stocker. I may revist this some day, but I was itching to go racing, and a $1500 355 sbc with Killer Rons toilet on alky makes 550+hp. too easy and cheap to go much faster for now!

If you revisit the build down the road I would try to get in contact with Steve Ambrose. He ended up designing a billet cylinder head for his straight 6 ford but ran stock heads before that I believe. He may either have some of those older heads available or maybe able to give you some direction on your build.