I bought my car (FFR) 3 years ago already built with a 351w…and it was awesome. I've always had a love affair with the 427…it was a mystical engine to me that belonged in a Cobra. I immediately planned a big block swap and if I would have had an extra $20,000 at the time, I wouldn’t have blinked with a modern aluminum 427 FE. I instead went with a 385 series 545. My engine has become kind of freakish as it’s morphing into a supercharged SuperSnake (complete w/SS hood). Now, I wouldn’t trade it!
After being in the Cobra fraternity for some time now and part of an incredible and diverse group of guys within the Capital Area Cobra Club, we’ve got everything up here...countless kits and engines. As Bill stated, your use of the car is an important factor. We have a serious race squad here (track & autocross) and they’re all small blocks…and they’re nasty! My car should be the king of the drag strip in the area, but I haven’t learned how to drive it yet, so our best time is currently held by a sb…and I’m still honored.
Now there is something so pure and beautiful about the modern CSX’s, Kirkhams, and ERA’s , that even I would feel funny about anything other than an FE in them. They’re just so true to the originals (there is a picture of Patrick’s car where it is still, but looks like it’s in motion…about as beautiful a picture of a Cobra as you’ll ever see). We have several Kirkhams and a few CSX’s (a 4000 & a 6000) in our club and when you stare at them, it’s like flashing back in time. All have 427 FE’s in them. All make your mouth drop open! And that’s before they even start…then, oh my God…that sound! With my car starting out not so true to an original, it’s been easier to take some liberties…but to this day, I still get goose bumps when I stare at or drive it.
Bottom line…when you grow to truly love something, it doesn’t matter what others will think (but there is definitely a magic to a BB 427 in a Cobra)
Whatever you decide, I wish you the best with your car
(within the CACC, this is always a fun ribbing back and forth between the SB & BB guys!)
Merry Christmas to Everybody!