We've had a few 289's. I tell ya what, when they're behind a standard shift (I like 'em 3 on the tree :D), they have unreal quickness. A few '64 Ford Fairlane's with 289 2bbl sticks made some real muscle cars sweat from 0-80 !
I rebuilt my brother 65 mustang 289 using all the K motor parts except for Crane roller rockers, an Offenhouser intake and a 750 cfm 440 AVS. With 3.90 gears in a 9 in rear, that car was Wicked fast.