Engine Choice Roush 342RE vs 427sr/tw

[vatdevil]

Superformance with the Fast fuel injection is my suggestion. Thats a very good engine for autocross. You don't need 17s, get a set of Avons.

[Cashburn]

Again, a 2007 Roush 342RE will not have FAST on it. It will have the headache ACCEL DFI...

[olddog]

EFI vs Carb:
Many tuners today have never seen or worked with a carb and that trend will continue.
Most of us older guys cannot or do not have the tools to tune EFI.
I have seen quite a few Cobra's launch and slosh the fuel away from the jets and cause a major stumble, likewise in a hard corner. This is solvable, but my point a Cobra may give extra challenge to a Carb.
EFI is much less likely to have vapor lock due to the higher fuel pressure and no fuel boiling in the carb.
Either can be made to work. If these cars are well sorted out it may not be an issue. Ask yourself which one you would rather work with if there is a problem.

5.0 block verses 351 W block:
The Windsor is a much stronger block at the expense of weight. The Dart block a big plus in my mind. The 5.0 block has been known to crack from the main web up into the cam bearing at high HP levels. In theory the less weight of the 5.0 would handle better in an Auto-cross, but car set up and balance between cars is a bigger issue. I wouldn't let the weight issue sway me very much.

I would be more interested in the internal parts in these engines.

[YerDugliness]

Originally Posted by mreid

There's no replacement for displacement!

Plus, 427 is just a magic number.

Both statements MAY be true, but for different reasons.

I agree with those who have said your intended use should help you make the decision.

If autocross and track days are a BIG part of your plans (and they do seem to be with your stated intentions to buy additional wheels/tires and a trailer), then IMHO you should look at a small block engine, the lighter the better. You don't say what block the 427 has, and that may be important. However, an all aluminum 8.2" small block will be lighter than an all aluminum 351W based small block, and when autocrossing and tracking those extra pounds from the 427 can become hard to control.

For "crusing" I think it would be hard to beat the 427, but not for the "magic number" reason. The original Shelby 427 Cobras were FE engined torque monsters, and if you really MUST have the originality and bragging rights that go with having a 427, then the Windsor based 427 will NOT give you those rights. mreid is right about the torque issue...it makes these things easier to drive in MOST situations, but keep in mind that for most of us more torque simply means more tire smoke and shorter tire life. If that's more important to you than good handling, then the Windsor based 427 would fit the ticket, even if it won't fool most of us when the hood is opened...but in my experience, you MUST learn to control the right foot, or you'll sit there in your burning-rubber induced cloud of smoke while the smallER-block engined Cobras leave you behind...mine hooks up so well that FEW of the larger engined cars can keep up with me AT FIRST (but they all blow by me when we get up into the higher speeds, which is fine with me, I like the feeling of accelleration, not so much that feeling of being at high speed in a car with the aerodynamics of a brick).

One idea....how about finding some of us forum members who live in your area and asking for rides? Most of us will gladly give potential owners a ride, and most of us are willing to give a spirited demonstration of how the cars can perform....you'll probably NOT get that sort of a ride from a dealer who has all sorts of issues that we owners don't necessarily have.

Cheers from Dugly

[Sailfish]

I have a Superformance (#2144) with a Roush 342. It's a carb. version with almost 14,000 miles on it. Other than the usual little tuning issues, the car has been flawless. I bought it new and drive it everywhere. It doesn't particularly like hot weather (>85) but is very driveable. I know I paid a premium for the Roush engine, but to me, it's worth it. I've had 4 years and 14,000 miles of very happy, and worry free, motoring. Why did I go with the 342 vs. a larger motor? Saved money, have almost as much horsepower and have less weight. All in all, the 342 has been a great combination for me.

[mreid]

Dugly, you also need to add the safety issue to your excellent post. These cars can come around in a heart beat. The more torque, the more opportunities for losing control. Your experience and comfort level should guide you. My daytona coupe had a 430hp 392w that was scarey fast. My Kirkham will have the 427w version of that engine with 540hp. Torque ratings are proportionately higher. I've driven performance vehicles all my life, but still maintain a very healthy respect and while hp sounds impressive, it's the torque which will kill you.

Mark

[Chilibit]

I have a SPF with the 402 SR/TW, and AVONs. I drive a lot more than most. It is flawless at doing what it does. If I did it again it would be a 342. I don't care to lope around with enough torque that I don't need to shift. I'll take the motor that spins up faster and I will shift. This works for me but it means I am in the minority. To me the SPF FIA with a 289 sounds very fine.

[xb-60]

I agree with Chillibit. So what sort of drive do you like? Do you like shifting gears and using the rev range, or do you prefer to change gears less and let the torque compensate?
Also have you looked at and driven the local BDR? How does it feel (handle, steer, brake)?
Can you drive a local SPF for a comparison?
Do you prefer the original look of the 15" wheels on the SPF or are the 17" non-originals OK to the eye?
What about the colour? Does that sway you either way?
Best of luck!
Glen

[WardL]

I wanted a SFP and a 427. That's what I bought. I wouldn't have bought either of these cars. Neither one will beat a Mazda 3 in the autocross, at least not with me behind the wheel. I've done autocross and had a fantastic time, but I'm not "competitive". Sure, I'm getting better, but the steering is so beastly, I just can't see being competitive. The reason I wanted an SPF is because I "knew" who put it together in SA and it is solid. Who put your backdraft together? Sorry, I consider both of these cars COBRAS.

[Roush #1]

I went with the Roush 427 SR/TW nearly three years ago. Since then I have driven over 25K miles with no major problems.

The car is driven daily and raced frequently, most recently at the Mid America Ford and Team Shelby Nationals this past June in Tulsa where we posted a 10.74 second ET at over 129 MPH in the quarter mile through the mufflers on drag radials.

I wonder what documented ET and MPH the other recommendations are posting?

[TimeForACobra]

Thanks for all the input... Lots to think about... I really do appreciate the responses. Now, just finishing up my last decisions and determine the order in which to make offers, unless all the cars in which I'm interested are sold, which just means I need to wait a little longer..

[csx4910]

Have you checked Cobra Country?

[xb-60]

Let us know what you settle on. There are quite a few to choose from (yes, see Cobra Country) in the price range you've mentioned.
Cheers,
Glen

[TimeForACobra]

Thanks. Yeah, I've been on Cobra Country, this forum, as well as a bunch of other web sites. I'm so close... This is gonna be fun

[vipertocobra]

One thing is for sure....that BDR won't be sold for $42 !

[TimeForACobra]

I know, I know....