Any 427 FE owners regret not going for a small block stroker?

AC Ventura · #1 (**permalink**) 03-10-2016, 10:51 AM

Just wondering. With so many and not just S/B owners saying 331/347 is the default choice for a balanced car, if there are any 427 FE owners out there who actually agree that the smaller motor is the better route.
Somehow, I doubt it but interested in what the real-life feedback actually is.
Alternatively any S/B owners who if they were to do it all again, would build in the big boy.

DanEC · #2 (**permalink**) 03-10-2016, 11:28 AM

It's definitely the better route if building an FIA and particularly if building a slab side 289. I can't imagine too many guys with a 427 S/C or Roadster with an FE, wishing they had gone SB. However, one or two will probably pop up.

RodKnock · #3 (**permalink**) 03-10-2016, 11:44 AM

I actually wish I went electric. The gas mileage with the FE is terrible and the sidepipes are too loud.

Bernica · #4 (**permalink**) 03-10-2016, 11:56 AM

Agree with the above if it was an FIA or Slabside.
I actually went big block stroker. No regrets!

patrickt · #5 (**permalink**) 03-10-2016, 12:12 PM

I don't think the engine choice matters anymore. All I care about is if it can limp you to a Taco Bell for a Quesalupa.

RodKnock · #6 (**permalink**) 03-10-2016, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patrickt

I don't think the engine choice matters anymore. All I care about is if it can limp you to a Taco Bell for a Quesalupa.

The engine choice won't matter, because you're going to keel over from a myocardial infarction. So, if you want to live mas, leave the Cobra at home and jog/run to get your Quesalupa, Quesarito or whatever.

patrickt · #7 (**permalink**) 03-10-2016, 12:59 PM

Well, in that case, I don't think there's anyone on the planet that would trade their FE in on a small block, unless their FE was broken, which is often the case.

LMH · #8 (**permalink**) 03-10-2016, 01:22 PM

Someone asked me one time how to easily tell the difference between an FE and a small block. I told him it was easy as the big block would be the one with the puddle of oil below it!
Larry

thorconstr · #9 (**permalink**) 03-10-2016, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LMH

Someone asked me one time how to easily tell the difference between an FE and a small block. I told him it was easy as the big block would be the one with the puddle of oil below it!
Larry

That's funny, and the truth, put some synthetic into an FE and it becomes a sprinkler system.

JWilly · #10 (**permalink**) 03-10-2016, 01:42 PM

Personal preference...I like them both (although I am more of a Whopper guy)

patrickt · #11 (**permalink**) 03-10-2016, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JWilly

Personal preference...I like them both (although I am more of a Whopper guy)

Whoppers are good. But if you find yourself at BK, because you ignored RodKnock's health advice, then you should reward yourself with the Yumbo. Even Rodknock can't resist one of those.

RodKnock · #12 (**permalink**) 03-10-2016, 02:18 PM

I think either the small block or big block will get you down to the local gourmet food trucks, where you can get a delicious sushirrito (sushi burrito). Yum!

And as you eat your sushirrito, listening to live music, you can sit and watch either the small block or big block Ford leak, because anyone who thinks small block Fords don't leak also, are kidding themselves.

Thor maine · #13 (**permalink**) 03-10-2016, 02:34 PM

I am not going to say anything!

Dimis · #14 (**permalink**) 03-10-2016, 02:48 PM

For me, the appeal of a cobra was replicating the appearance and experience of the 60s.
I passed on many Cobras because they didn't have an FE.

Would a SB be more practical? Possibly. Cheaper? Almost definitely. Better allround? Maybe.
Could I get more power out of a 385series bbf then? Again, almost definitely.

To some these are more than enough reason to choose something other than an FE.

But for me, if given the option, I'd go FE all day, everyday, in a cobra. It's the big bad engine/legend they banned because they feared its dominance. The fact a SBF could probably whip my a$$ around a track is irrelevant.

So in short, no regrets on the FE, even if one day I wake up and decide a nice little 289 slabside would look good in my garage.

kevins2 · #15 (**permalink**) 03-10-2016, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thor maine

I am not going to say anything!

No need to. I think we could all write what you would say!

It's all good, you start it up, it roars and shakes and you drive down the road feeling good regardless of your engine choice.

RodKnock · #16 (**permalink**) 03-10-2016, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thor maine

I am not going to say anything!

Chevy's leak too. In fact, Chevy's get recalled.

Dimis · #17 (**permalink**) 03-10-2016, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RodKnock

I actually wish I went electric. The gas mileage with the FE is terrible and the sidepipes are too loud.

What's it matter?
You don't drive the darn thing so fuel consumption and noise out the pipes are about even

AC Ventura · #18 (**permalink**) 03-10-2016, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dimis

For me, the appeal of a cobra was replicating the appearance and experience of the 60s.
I passed on many Cobras because they didn't have an FE.

Would a SB be more practical? Possibly. Cheaper? Almost definitely. Better allround? Maybe.
Could I get more power out of a 385series bbf then? Again, almost definitely.

To some these are more than enough reason to choose something other than an FE.

But for me, if given the option, I'd go FE all day, everyday, in a cobra. It's the big bad engine/legend they banned because they feared its dominance. The fact a SBF could probably whip my a$$ around a track is irrelevant.

So in short, no regrets on the FE, even if one day I wake up and decide a nice little 289 slabside would look good in my garage.

Finally an answer that doesn't involve food outlets...........

RodKnock · #19 (**permalink**) 03-10-2016, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dimis

What's it matter?
You don't drive the darn thing so fuel consumption and noise out the pipes are about even

There is some electricity being used by the Battery Tender. And it does make a buzzing sound.

RodKnock · #20 (**permalink**) 03-10-2016, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AC Ventura

Finally an answer that doesn't involve food outlets...........

All kidding and BS aside, your question is an old question. I'd be surprised if anyone here regrets their choice of engine and what your question boils down to is the age-old choice of whether one installs a small block versus and big block. And you're just going to find that each Cobra owner prefers the choice they made for the typical reasons of cost, "authenticity", value, maintenance, reliability, etc.

In Dimis case, he was out running one day near the local park and saw an FE engine lying behind some bushes, or maybe it was "the bush" (he lives down under), not sure, anyway, so that's how his engine choice was made.