Not Ranked
No dog in this fight, I have a wimpy little stroker windsor!
But, I will say this... I built a torquier engine (544TQ vs. 508HP) and while I just looooove winding it up tight to 6500 RPM, if I had it all to do over again, I'd flip flop those numbers.
In a Cobra, it doesn't take much torque to light the rear tires up at will. 400 lb-ft will MORE than do the trick. With close to 550, hooking up is a joke, even with 295mm tires. It truly takes slicks to hook up.
On the other hand, even with just over 500HP, I find myself wanting a little more as the speedometer clicks past 140 and I shift into my tall 5th gear (TKO w/ .68 OD, 3.7 rear end)
Very few of these cars lack "bottom-end". On the more stock size tires (275mm), a 302 will come off the line as quickly as a stroked sidoiler. Once the cars hook up, there is no contest.
If I ever build another engine, it will be a high-revving FE. Hopefully by the time my engine calls it quits, there are several FE block manufacturers, and their quality has been proven.
People just love torque in their Cobras, but if you focus on building a high horsepower engine, you will naturally get plenty of torque. I focused on torque and probably got too much.
Executive Summary: Don't "focus" on torque...the torque will come naturally.
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J.P.
Ohio Cobra Club
Token Gashole
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