[mattpatt]

Another 2 cents worth:

Since my SPF cobra is not an "original", and never will be, I looked for the timeless beautyy of the car from outside but went for performance/practicality under the skin. If Shelby could have put my engine in his 427's he would have - and maybe won some races. I have an all aluminum 351W based 427 (correct ci, AND lighter than the 289's AND more horsepower than the FE original 427's). My street-only SPF car looks like an original, is quite street drivable, AND has about the same power/weight ratio as the originals - plus a wider power curve - as well as a better weight distribution (54% on the rear). My engine happens to be a Keith Craft (554 hp) which I'm completely happy with. All that said I've heard that the big block sound a bit "better" - don't know, but I do love the sound of my car. Obviously, I'm not just a small block fan but a LIGHT small block fan.

Matt