Those prices sound pretty good.
If you have the space, time & motivation, buying write-offs is the cheapest way of sourcing engine/gearbox. You have to sell off the other parts though to get the price down.
Guys, Byron is registering the Cobra in QLD, so can run any ADR 37/01 engine.
In regards to the Ford security.
In AUI & AUII you have Smartlock. This is easy to by-pass, you can get it disabled in the ECU by dyno shops or buy a flashtuner module so you can disable and make other tuning changes.
In AUIII you have Smartshield. This is harder to bypass. Probably the easiest way is to fit the ignition with key and BOM to fit it to your Cobra. You could also just plug in an earlier ECU, but that's not an emissions compliant way to do it.
If you are looking at AU XR8 falcon engines, the later the series the more power they have.
My brother bought a Ford engine a few weeks ago - AUIII Tickford XR8. 220kw, handbuilt engine by Tickford, even had a factory
oil cooler.
Note the Tickfords(non-strokers) do not have any extra power on paper compared to a standard XR8.
I personally wouldn't be turned off by front damage, if it's enough front-damage to impact the pulleys & front accessories, that's where you start to walk away. Cars with front damage should be cheaper.
It's a lot better if you can still start the engine, lessons the risk. Same as if you buy the engine/box from a wreckers, at least you get some sort of warranty support.
Also note that you can feed the AU falcon engine looms back through the firewall, so whichever way you go, do not cut off or anyone cut the harness off to get it out.
Have fun.
