Freddie,
Here's the deal. The block we're talking about is being built by a guy named Tod Buttermore. I'll try to get you his contact info. There were two undeniable flaws in the original Cleveland block - thin walls on the cylinders, limiting overbore to about .030 max, and a non main priority oiling system, VERY much like the FE's suffer from (except the Sideolilers, of course). Just like the FE's, the problem with the oiling really isn't a problem at all unless you run sustained high revs.
That being said, the Buttermore block has been cast in aluminum with thick iron sleeves allowing for large bore diameters, and also has been cast with a completely different oiling system, a main priority system. From all initial reports, the block is looking good, very strong, with a proven oiling system just like the new FE aluminum blocks. By the way, I don't know the details, -but Tod's past includes design work on one of the FE aluminum blocks now so prevalent. I don't know which one. However, he has obviously been down this path before.
The Cleveland crank, by the way, is well known in Ford circles as a brutally strong unit. Using one of Tod's blocks, you'll have the following:
-Aluminum 460" or so engine with state of the art oiling system, billet main caps, etc
-Tremendously strong Cleveland type crank
-New Forged H beam rods with ARP bolts
-New forged pistons
-Roller cam
-Small block Cleveland heads that flow more than ANY small block head, more than many big blocks as well
-Choice of many intakes
-Dry intake removal for ease of service - no water or
oil in Cleveland intake
-If you choose,
well over 650+ STREETABLE pump gas HP, all in a 400 or do pound engine, with a flat torque curve and all available below 6500 RPM
-All that for SIGNIFICANTLY less than a Roush 427 engine that has over 100 HP less
-Lastly, the advantage of lifting your hood and not having the same engine as 1000 other guys at the show. The Cleveland is essentially a state of the art big block in a small block package.
What's not to like?
Again, I'm not picking on the Windsor engine or Roush engines. Just letting guys know that there is an alternative out there, (perhaps a better alternative I believe), than the old venerable Windsor. The old stories out there about the Cleveland "problems" with oiling and high power at very high RPM's only WERE undoubtedly true, but clearly they are true no more. The Roush (or any other high quality built Windsor for that matter) is a FINE engine, and you can't go wrong. I just find the Cleveland to be a very exciting, more powerful and cost effective NEW alternative to the old tried and true. I'm not trying to play the old my engine s better than yours game - that's ridiculous and I have no time for that. I simply find new alternatives in the Cobra world to be exciting, and this in one of them. Whatever engine you or anyone else chooses, good luck and enjoy your Cobra. This is a great hobby!