How much horsepower does a Studebaker 289 engine have?
The Studebaker 289 cubic-inch V8 typically produced about 210 to 240 horsepower in standard form, varying by year and carburetion. High-performance variants—most notably in the Avanti line—could push beyond that, with supercharged versions reaching roughly 335 horsepower gross.
Context and evolution of the 289 V8
Studebaker introduced the 289 cubic-inch V8 in the late 1950s for its passenger cars and performance models. The engine powered a range of vehicles, from regular sedans and coupes to the sporty Avanti, and horsepower output varied with carburetion, compression ratios, and tuning over the years. When discussing horsepower, it’s important to note whether a specification is listed in gross horsepower (older automotive literature) or net horsepower (more modern references after accessories and emissions were added).
Standard horsepower figures
Below are typical outputs for the more common, non-supercharged configurations of the 289 V8.
- 289 V8 with a 2-barrel carburetor: about 210 horsepower.
- 289 V8 with a 4-barrel carburetor: about 240 horsepower.
- High-compression or performance-tuned 289 variants (non-supercharged): roughly 270–290 horsepower.
These figures reflect widely cited ranges for standard production versions and illustrate how modest changes in carburetion and compression could move horsepower upward.
Avanti performance variants
The Studebaker Avanti line explored higher-performance configurations of the same 289 cubic inches, including two notable packages.
- R1 package (enhanced high-performance 289 with upgraded induction and exhaust): around 290 horsepower.
- R2 package (Paxton supercharged 289): roughly 335 horsepower gross, with net figures lower after accessories and drivetrain losses.
These Avanti variants demonstrate how the 289 could be dramatically boosted beyond the baseline range through forced induction and performance tuning.
Summary
In its standard form, the Studebaker 289 V8 delivered about 210–240 horsepower, depending on carburetion and year. For enthusiasts chasing higher performance, especially in the Avanti line, outputs rose into the 270–290 horsepower territory for non-supercharged variants and climbed to about 335 horsepower gross with Paxton supercharging in the R2 package. Horsepower numbers can vary depending on whether figures are quoted as gross or net and on the specific year and configuration.
