what are the pro's vs con's on engines

[blown]

I currently have a 351-c but im thinking i need a little more power what is the good vs the bad of big block small block in a cobra?

[twin turbo]

How much power are you presently making and how much power do you want?

[RET_COP]

With the amount of heads and intakes available and the power to weight for $ ratio SB windsor wins.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by blown

I currently have a 351-c but im thinking i need a little more power what is the good vs the bad of big block small block in a cobra?

The only reason not to go with an FE is money. If you're not pinching pennies, then the right FE will do everything you could ever want and is just lovely to look at, listen to, talk about, and fiddle with. But, you can make just as much power with a small block for a lot less money.

[Silversmith]

You can get 500+hP & 500+TQ for 12K from a 351W with no problem. Or you can get 700+HP & 700+TQ from a 385 (429/460cid) series BBF for about the same 12K. The BBF is just as strong as the sbf, but you will eat a bit more fuel; and perhaps stain a few more undergarments.

[RET_COP]

Keith Craft Street performance Crate 427/438 SBF 585HP 565TQ $12,000
Roush Performance FE 511 525HP $27,000

[WardL]

I have a Dart racing small block 427. Some people want a BB some want a SB and they all have their own reasons. Some of it is ego. My block is bigger than your block. It becomes a matter of choice. I wanted a SB because I thought it was a lot lighter, it is really only about 50# lighter depending on the set up of each engine. A SB will have more room in the engine compartment to get at stuff. That right there is a good enough reason for me to go with a SB. I have over 500 HP in my SB and that is scary enough for me!

[750hp]

Originally Posted by blown

I currently have a 351-c but im thinking i need a little more power what is the good vs the bad of big block small block in a cobra?

Haven't you previously owned a Contemporary with an FE big block?

[Ron61]

I had a 351 Windsor stroked to 418 in mine and it put out 530 horse and 515 pound torque. I raced it for years with no problems. In my 69 Cobra I have a 428 SCJ bored out to 440 and it is a great engine for that heavier car but it won't make the turns like the small block did. Also as mentioned above, the small block was much easier to work on as there is so much more room.

Ron

[Silversmith]

Originally Posted by RET_COP

Keith Craft Street performance Crate 427/438 SBF 585HP 565TQ $12,000
Roush Performance FE 511 525HP $27,000

A wee bit more shopping will bring the BBF cost in range; also I was speaking of a self build. That is, if one has the basic engine build skills and doesn't mind saving $ 15,000 on there BBF build! But if your not a builder you can get a John Kasse BBF with 700+hp for under 20K. Just saying

[mdross1]

I say you already have the 351C why not satisfy your curiosity do some hop up work to it,heads, intake,cam,carb/FI,etc. See if it satisfies that need for speed,unless you are looking for an engine bay full of BB.
Either way good luck

[blykins]

My 408 Cleveland's make 575-600 hp. Why change to another family?

[Dominik]

Keep the 351 and stroke it to 427. If you change to FE you are facing a lot of work.

[blown]

to answer 750hp's question yes i have had a few cobras with FE motors but i never finnished them someone would always con me out of them i want aroud 550-600 hp my cleaveland is very tight in the bay to work on as it is but i am just curious how bad the handling would chang with the bbf vs the sbf i think their is not any engine more sexy than a FE but 99% of the people wouldnt know if i told them it was a dodge motor but i do agree its already a cleavland so keep it that ill look into stroker kits and see whats out their.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by blown

... I think their is not any engine more sexy than a FE...

Yep, but if the OP really wanted an FE, he wouldn't have to ask here. And I bet Blykins could build him a 600HP stroked 390FE for under $15k, and could probably do it in four weeks or less. There's really no need to go to a 427/428 unless you just happen to have a nice block available.

[Dimis]

Originally Posted by blown

to answer 750hp's question yes i have had a few cobras with FE motors but i never finnished them someone would always con me out of them i want aroud 550-600 hp my cleaveland is very tight in the bay to work on as it is but i am just curious how bad the handling would chang with the bbf vs the sbf i think their is not any engine more sexy than a FE but 99% of the people wouldnt know if i told them it was a dodge motor but i do agree its already a cleavland so keep it that ill look into stroker kits and see whats out their.

Oh, I see... If I read it right - You are the 1% who knows, you want the FE, and your slightly remorseful you haven't gone that way?

I could tell you, if you drove the two engines back to back, you'd be hard pressed to tell the difference between them on the street, particularly if you kept the hood closed. But you probably don't want to believe me... I'm guessing your heart wants the FE, and your seeking away to justify the spend to yourself.

If it were me and I was on a budget, I'd stay with the Cleveland, else life is short and money grows on trees (just ask your farmer or a horticulturist. ), and that contemporary of yours is deserving of an FE.


But go with whatever makes YOU happy!


Ps: the cost probably can't just be isolated to FE engine vs Cleveland engine rebuild. If you swap engine type, you have to factor in other miscellaneous costs, like: bell housing, possibly chassis mods for engine mounting and the mounting brackets themselves. It can add up very quickly - How deep are your pockets?

Good luck with it either way... and keep us posted on what you do.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by RET_COP

Keith Craft Street performance Crate 427/438 SBF 585HP 565TQ $12,000
Roush Performance FE 511 525HP $27,000

OMG! You gotta love this ^^^^ comparison. A "wee bit more shopping" is the understatement (Silversmith was being nice, I know) of the year.

A Roush engine for the 511FE and a KC engine for the SBF? Wow.

[AL427SBF]

I like the direction this thread is going, neutral pros & cons at 1st, then polite bias toward one or the other, followed by less restraint and finger pointing. We are trending in the right direction, my 2 cents ...

Blown, you have the right idea, maybe bore it out to a 427 and get the best of both worlds?

- Weighs approx 100 lbs less than a 427fe
- Still same dimensions as 351c
- Huge torque increase over factory 351 engine
- Runs cooler than a 427fe
- Vehicle handles and corners better than a 427fe
- Just as fast or faster from 0-60 or 0-100 mph times vs. 427fe
- Runs thousands less in cost to a 427fe
- Won't leak oil like a 427fe
- Period correct displacement in a SBC package
- Performance parts available for all configurations

[patrickt]

RodKnock has personally witnessed hoards of spectators weeping at the sight of a small block in a 427 car. And, to a lesser extent, 385 series as well. But, in the end, it's your car... so put a rat motor in there if you want.

[twin turbo]

Originally Posted by AL427SBF

I like the direction this thread is going, neutral pros & cons at 1st, then polite bias toward one or the other, followed by less restraint and finger pointing. We are trending in the right direction, my 2 cents ...

Blown, you have the right idea, maybe bore it out to a 427 and get the best of both worlds?

- Weighs approx 100 lbs less than a 427fe
- Still same dimensions as 351c
- Huge torque increase over factory 351 engine
- Runs cooler than a 427fe
- Vehicle handles and corners better than a 427fe
- Just as fast or faster from 0-60 or 0-100 mph times vs. 427fe
- Runs thousands less in cost to a 427fe
- Won't leak oil like a 427fe
- Period correct displacement in a SBC package
- Performance parts available for all configurations

Is the 351C ok to take out to 427? The Windsors usually use an aftermarket block to go that big.