Anyone know a good engine builder/supplier?

[rsimoes]

I'm looking for a new 460 putting out about 450 HP that has low enough compression for pump gas. I'm hearing that the Ford Motorsport 460's at 10.5:1 compression will ping with pump gas.

Any advice? I'm looking to buy a turn key motor (or close to it) balanced and blue printed would be even better.

I have heard so many horror stories about builders, so I wanted to stick to Ford build motors, but with their high compression, I'm not sure now. . .

Thanks!

[Back in Black]

Change the cam to an hydraulic roller? This willl cut HP to + ~ 550 and make maintenance easy. You could also have it balanced and blueprinted while you are at it. Compression is 9.8 to 1

Just keep in mind : They are "hot run" but there is no warranty.


If you want a custom built motor, the consensus here at CC is Southern automotive.. I hear good things about them and if I order a Ford performance motor in the future, they get my first consideration.

One last note:

With aluminum heads you can go to 10.5 to 1 with no pinging, on 91 octane.. this is just heresay, and also my experience with motorcycle motors.

[Jack21]

Again, I'd recommend looking through your local Yellow Pages, or talking to racers at your local track as to who the local machine shops are that do good work on Fords.

460's, and modifications you have to make to it are not so substantial as warranting specialty shops out-of-State with crating and truck freight shipping. Not to mention troubleshooting and de-glitching by phone.

And perhaps your local shop, and we here, couldconvince you to consider a 351W, or stroker 393W as a more practical way to power your Cobra.

[sparks]

Better gas mi. yes.If you cant afford the gas you should'nt own the car .I just got my car last week.Custom 460 w/Roller cam/lifters/rockers/aluminum flywheel/demon carb/torker intake 10:1 comp........Dyno at 550 hp/560 tq......Sound is unbelievable,More than enough power......Handles just fine.Unless you r a prof. racer the weight really does'nt
matter.GO BIG OR GO HOME...............fOR ALITTLE EXTRA $$YOU R BETTER OFF W/A PRE SEASONED CUSTOM MOTOR.

[rsimoes]

Hey Sparks where did you get your motor and what did it cost?

[bnewell]

rsimoes ~ give Eric @ Performance Engineering a call @ (513) 738-5001. He is an excellent engine builder/installer and most importantly, he stands behind his motors. Eric has built, installed and shipped engines and cobras all across the country. Performance Engineering is located behind Dynamic Motorsports in Ross, Ohio. Believe me, you won't be disappointed, this guy is awesome.

Brian

p.s. oh yea, he's also an all around nice guy!!

[RickLee]

Give me a call or look at our new shops engine building and dyno room

at www.dreamfactoryfab.com

Rick Lee

[Roscoe]

Rob,
You might want to try Engine Factory. They are out in the Clinton area of NJ. Very good reputation and will build a turnkey engine and give you a video of the dyno plus a one year warantee.

However, consider a stroked 351W instead of that boat anchor. Too much weight to pull.

http://www.enginefactory.com

Roscoe

[klayfish]

Rob,
Roscoe is right. Lose the weight of the big block car. You can easily get a 351 to put out as much power as you will ever need, and then some. You got to hear my little 302, and it sounds great. The 351, especially if you punch it out, will give you lots of sound.
As I mentioned when you came to my place, I've got a friend with a 351 punched out to 396. It's dyno'd at 500 hp, and he runs on pump gas. He lives in Phoenixville. Take a ride in his car, and you won't even worry about what type of motor to get.

Steve

[dkjos]

Don Scott (Minnesota Classic Motorsports) is active on Club Cobra (Classic Roadsters Forum) and builds very good engines at a reasonable price. All engines are balanced, dyno tested, and have a warranty.

He's not the type to blow his own horn, so customers do it for him. (:

[jhein]

Eric at performance engineering is great. I have a 351w (non-stroked) that makes 480 hp. He does great work BB or SB. His phone # was given in an earlier post.

John
spf 1421

[BamaBrett]

rsimoes~~

In my research, I've determined that a good local builder is the way to go. There may be some shops in your neck of the woods you're not even aware of. I'm leaning toward a local builder myself because: 1) I'll be close enough to be actively involved with the build of my engine: and 2) My builder will be able to do all future tweeking and service work.

A couple friends of mine did one better. They saved a LOT of money by purchasing most of their engine parts on their own. Their engine builder did the machine work and assembly. The 302/351/460 based engines are pretty simple designs. Nothing mysterious about how they go together. If you want a stroker, you can buy a complete kit at excellent prices. Shop around and you can save BIG $$$$.

That Ford 460 SVO would be a great choice too. Lots of horsepower and torque for the money. Good reliable engine straight from the crate.

Perhaps all you want to do is write a check and don't mind dealing with an out-of-state builder. The following shops come highly recommended:

Southern Automotive Engines (Bill Parham) in Georgia:

http://www.southernautomotiveengines.com


RDI (Racepart Distributors) in North Carolina


Gessford Machine (I think Club Cobra has a link to their website)


Don Scott - He's in Minnesota but we know about him down here in Alabama. Great reputation.

Hope this helps. Good luck.


Y'all take it easy now, Brett

[Charles bering]

Southern Automotive gets my vote-been to his facility many times. Hosted the Deep South Cobra Club last spring at his shop.
Has his own dyno, machine shop, parts dept right on site. Has been a racer of Fords all his life. Honest, knowledgeable, and reasonable priced. He will build my next engine. cb

[Great Asp]

I like Eric @ Performance Engineering, Southern Automotive, and you can not go wrong with George at Gessford. I know enough people to recommend these guys for sure.

I would lean to Eric @ Performance if it's a 460 you are looking for, but these three are hard to beat!

Great Asp

[George Snyder]

rsimoes,
You could have Jonathan Aloisio at DARE in West Chester build an engine for you. Their # is 610 696-0805
They build all their own engines for their Car.

[sparks]

Unless you race alot 200 lbs. will make no diff. .Different power band (sb/BB)Even w/ a BB the car still is under 2800 lbs.BB sounds and looks better also