588R big block

[Joe's Garage]

Originally Posted by Cashburn

Beta test...

I just hope this "better mouse trap" is something you're in on, usually beta testing starts in-house to protect the technology as well as iron out the bugs, then a broader validation phase follows

[jhv48]

Originally Posted by Cashburn

Beta test...

Thanks. Any hints about the new system?

[Cashburn]

Originally Posted by Joe's Garage

I just hope this "better mouse trap" is something you're in on, usually beta testing starts in-house to protect the technology as well as iron out the bugs, then a broader validation phase follows

It's on the market for sometime (under a different company and name). It's beta in our house. They've released some upgraded versions that look promising. Met owner last week at SEMA and reviewed the product and latest developments.

Not too hard to figure out who/what... But why make it easy?

Our intent is to virtually abandon the carb from primary offerings. This system may allow that.

[Joe's Garage]

Well best of luck, the only thing that comes to mind is GDI, a wag at best.

[D-CEL]

tnc110,
That level of power is not hard to achieve from a 385 series and a competent builder. Like has been said by others, I would shop around. I think you would be startled by what could be had in a 385 at $20K (or less).
Sigh.....and as you can see all you have to say is "385 series in a Cobra" and they come running!
Years ago there was a guy called DR.385. What did he used to call them?.....Oh that’s right he referred to them as, “xx”tards. But I won’t go there…..
You can absolutely count on them to inject “xx”xcrement into any and all possible Non-"Fe" Cobra conversation. You can expect the stench of "Fe”XXX from the mouths of Pat & Rod in whatever they type about 385s. Tom Kirkham? Really? I expect more from you.

(How heavy do you think this going to be Tom? How does less than 600lbs sound?)
"They are not O-R-I-G-N-A-L" ) How sad is it when the .01% moan about “engine correctness” in their REPLICA COBRAS. Nobody cares but them.
The hard facts are impossible for a "Fe"xxxx to swallow (already full I think)
1) 385 series are plentiful. (As we have been told many times, they filled nearly every engine bay of
every station wagon, ambulance, tow truck and garbage scow Ford built during for the last 30ish
years. Hmmm, just like Fe’s before them)
2) 385 series are FAR less expensive than any Fe’s at equal power levels.
3) 385 series are far more durable at higher power levels when compared to any Fe.
4) 385 series are comparable in size and weight to an Fe when similarly equipped and
Plain and simple: Anything that can be done to the ridiculously antiquated Fe platform, can be done for less money at a higher level of performance with another engine family, be that Stroked Windsor or 385.
Building and maintaining an Fe is like building a flat head. Cool to look at (if you like that sort of thing).
It’s not about performance, it’s about nostalgia.


Jason

[Tom Kirkham]

Jason,

I wrote:

Originally Posted by Tom Kirkham

385 engines are heavy.
If handling means anything to you then,
I would be inclined to go with an all aluminum small block.
Small blocks also have a lower center of gravity...

and you chastise me, for being an FE lover and a 385 hater.

Wow.

[Bernica]

Not going to get into this fight, but IMHO a 385 is a pedestrian lump as somewhat stated above. Sure, it can be spiffed up and made to do incredible numbers, but does not compare to a classic FE.

If we are the next flat-head crowd, so be it.

I'm sure I will get bashed, but that's how I feel..

[Igofastr]

Frankly, nearly anyone who buys a cobra is into "nostalgia".

Tom's right. If you're into performance, the best option (among Ford offerings) is a small block.

That said, for all the reasons that Jason lists, a Chevy LS engine probably makes the most sense; cheaper/plentiful, cheaper aftermarket parts, lighter, and more powerful (and blasphemous in a Cobra, maybe more so than a 385 ).

[Buzz]

A little blasphemy once in a while is good for the soul and serves to move enlightenment and humanity forward - just ask Galileo Galilei.

[lovehamr]

A little blasphemy might be good for the soul but one thing that hasn't been mentioned is resale value compared to engine choices. That price stratification can't be denied and goes something like this:

High value to low value

1. All aluminum stroker FEs
2. Vintage 427 SOs
3. FE 428s and stroked 428s
4. FE 390s and stroked 390s
5. Various stroked SBFs and some Coyotes
6. Stockish SBFs
7. Stockish Coyotes
8.
9.
10.
all others........ anything with a bowtie

There, that aughta stir things up!

[Buzz]

There is iron (and aluminium) in your words.

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9EBYw5VN2E[/ame]

However there are factors such as brand, body shape, build quality, accuracy and paint color that have an equally profound impact on resale value.

[D-CEL]

Easy there Tom,

I did not call you a 385 hater. To be clear, I chastised Pat & Rod as haters
and expressed surprise and disappointment to you, based on your
“385 engines are heavy” statement.
So Tom, I will ask you. What is the actual difference in weight between an Fe and a 385 at similar displacement, built in similar fashion (i.e. iron heads, iron intake, etc. ) and fitted with the same accessories?


The report above shows about 30lbs, (the FE does have an alum intake)

I believe you speak from a very different perspective than most, as your business lives and breaths on the sale of that nostalgia.

for what its worth, I don't hate FE's, but continually hearing the FE faithful spout about their mythical superiority based on opinion is like listening to Evan talk about how "Real" his car is. It is Fe-xhausting.

Jason

[Buzz]

That is really interesting. I found this weight/size comparison chart online and though it shows a much greater weight difference of about 100lbs (390FE vs 460 though), the dimensions are way closer than I have been led to believe.

[RodKnock]

I remember looking at used Kirkham with a 460 a long time ago. The owner had to significantly clearance the frame to fit the 460. So, I wouldn't ever want to do that to my Kirkham.

The 460 could be lighter, cheaper and make more HP, but it's clearly undesirable to the greater Cobra market and has been since the start of the Cobra replica in the 1980's.

The FE is superior in value and appearance. There's nothing like seeing an FE with a turkey pan in a Cobra. The Cobra is not the latest gotta-have-it iPhone. People purchase Cobras replicas to replicate the Cobra experience and FE's are the clear winner in terms of value to every Cobra owner who installs one. But not every Cobra owner values the FE and that's OK. That's why there are various Cobra manufacturers who install various drivetrains for various types of customers.

Personally, if cost/HP/weight/parts availability were more important to me, then the various LS alternatives from Chevy would be more appealing than a 460.

[Buzz]

What I find hilarious is how much stake people have in what others choose to do with their own lives or Cobra replicas. Its almost as if their sense of self is built on such a fragile foundation that anything presented outside of a narrow scope of beliefs and behaviours robs them of all validation and threatens them to the core. If you treasure FE's fine - buy one or three or five; but why even care when other folks talk about their different strokes?

[patrickt]

When I was trying to scrape together enough dough to buy a CCX in the early 1980's I fully intended on putting a Chevy small block in there. Nowadays, a 385 series is just as appropriate, or inappropriate, as a SOHC. In fact, I saw a 385 last summer that was easily faster, prettier, and more expensive than my FE. In the end, it's all just a game.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by patrickt

When I was trying to scrape together enough dough to buy a CCX in the early 1980's I fully intended on putting a Chevy small block in there. Nowadays, a 385 series is just as appropriate, or inappropriate, as a SOHC. In fact, I saw a 385 last summer that was easily faster, prettier, and more expensive than my FE. In the end, it's all just a game.

Why would we care what you think? You have a non-427, beige Cobra with two roll bars. Geez, you might as well drive around a Nissan Leaf.

[Bernica]

And I own a FIBERGLASS CSX!
Does that make me an outcast too?

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Bernica

And I own a FIBERGLASS CSX!
Does that make me an outcast too?

I've noticed of late that RodKnock has been particularly contrary. I'm thinking he's going through a stressful mid-life crisis of some sort.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by Bernica

And I own a FIBERGLASS CSX!
Does that make me an outcast too?

This IS the "World's Largest non-biased Cobra site." We welcome all manufacturers and body types.

(unless you own a Cobra with a 385 series engine or it's painted beige)