466 a bad idea?

[Franko]

I am in the process of installing a 466 crate motor in my cobra. Is there anyone here that regrets installing a 460 style motor in their cobra?? Seems like almost everyone I talk to says Im insane to make the front end so heavy (.

[Tony Aprile]

I have a 466 in my SPF and im glad to say I have a big block, granted small blocks can produce the big HP and they do weigh less, but you can't beat the torque of a big block. I think the big blocks run a little warmer in traffic, but don't let the extra 150 lbs up front bother you, unless your an experienced racer and do track events you'll probably never notice the difference.

[xlr8or]

I think you'll find that if the heads, intake, waterpump etc are aluminum the actual weight difference is closer to 100 pounds. There are many SPF's out there with the 460 as well as other makes. Ford is offering some pretty good bang for the buck on crate engines these days.

[Tom Wells]

385 series engine? Regret? Moi?

[djseed]

A 385 with aluminum bits in an SPF gives it an almost perfect 50 /50 (font to back) weight distribution.

[HighPlainsDrifter]

Hi,
Mine is 100 lbs heavier on the rear with a driver in the cobra,you do need a driver, unless it's remote controlled!
Perry.

[Excaliber]

I'll bet the people your talking to don't know Cobras! If you look back at the muscle car era heavy in the front was common and most of those cars were NOT known for "good handling".

The weight bias toward the front with a BB in a Cobra is not the same as it would be in a "typical" car. Even with a BB your still going to be close 50/50, certainly WAY closer than just about any other car on the road!

Worst case? Maybe 55 front 45 rear? That should help plant the front end nicely!

[jrussell]

Well,
I have a 460, with aluminum heads, intake, etc, and with the extra 100# over a small block I still have a 48/52 front/rear weight in my car- with driver. I also have a bit over 13,000 miles on my 460 and I still love it!
John Russell
ps. I have been on 3 different racetracks, two drag strips and Texas Motor Speedway, so I can tell you this big block DOES get driven! Pictures are in my photo gallery.

[jdean]

A car almost exactly like mine (460 in a Classic Roadster) was weighed at all four corners, and it also showed a 48/52 ratio, without the driver. I think about a 160 lb. driver would have made it 50/50.

But almost everyone I talk to makes the same comment - "that 460 will make it too heavy in the front".

As you can see, for many types of Cobras, it is not the case.

[XXQQQME]

Too heavy in the front? For what? Are you going to race it? Are you going to make a living driving your Cobra? I wouldn't be too concerned about it. Just make sure that the font end suspension components aren't Mickey Mouse.
Just cruise with it and enjoy it. I have a 466 in mine (460 bored .030 over) and it sounds great and has all the tork I'll ever need! As far as handling, I don't drive the car like I'm in a race, so I guess I don't really notice, except that it does handle much better than my pick up truck!

[SnakeBitt]

If you're really worried about weight, Chevy (yes, I said the "C" word) is making the all alum ZL-1 engine in crate form. Limited production, very expensive,...........but it's light!

[jdean]

I bet the Chevy engine you speak of still weighs more than an SBF with aluminum heads. A 5.0 engine weighs about 460 lbs with iron heads, and about 430 with aluminum heads.

So, a 302 stroked to a 347 with aluminum heads has the potential to make a compelling power-to-weight engine combo.