[olddog]

The fastest car I ever road in was a Cobra with 385 series stroked to 532 cid.

I would say the least expensive Ford engine to make 400 Hp - 600 Hp is hands down the 385 series engine.

With that said I have looked at quite a few Cobra with the humongous bock engines in them. It looks like they had to use shoe horns, smoke, and mirrors to make them fit.

You really need to check some out. I have heard a lot of talk on milling off intakes and special air filters to end up with almost no hood clearance to spare. Headers are very close to foot boxes. Certainly they will fit, but I do not think it is easy. The hot foot box may be true for the FE, as well, but likely more so with the 385.

I have to say I would lean toward the FE, too. They are a tad pricey and if you do not pick an experienced FE builder, you could have a lot of trouble. Other than that, I cannot think of a single reason not to go with an FE.