What is the best FORD engine per dollar

[lovehamr]

Originally Posted by Doug I

Cleveland
6200 for 425
7200 for 490

Windsor
6500 for 410
7500 for 450
8500 for 495

SO
13900 for 470
15700 for 480
TO
11900 for 470
13700 for 480

I understand that these are pump gas drop in complete prices, excluding fluids, starter and air cleaner. Engine arrives with carb set and a dyno sheet.

Come on Doug, you need a carb for the crate motor. As for those engines listed in your last post; where are they from?

Steve

[RodKnock]

How about 598 cubic inches of BBC producing 775 HP for $12,000. That's pretty cheap.

http://www.ultrastreet.net/engines/598_lowdeck.asp

[lovehamr]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

How about 598 cubic inches of BBC producing 775 HP for $12,000. That's pretty cheap.

http://www.ultrastreet.net/engines/598_lowdeck.asp

But it's a chebbie!

[B.M.B.C]

Originally Posted by lovehamr

Come on Doug, you need a carb for the crate motor. As for those engines listed in your last post; where are they from?

Steve

By the look of them prices , id say southern automotive

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by lovehamr

But it's a chebbie!

Yes, I know, but the original question is a trick question. It's not possible to answer.

[RodKnock]

OR how about early Porsche 911 engine dyno'ed at 262 HP at the flywheel on sale for $39,995:

http://www.early911sregistry.org/for...ad.php?t=26086

Talk about Ford engines being expensive.

[rtstrack]

Originally Posted by lovehamr

I'm a small block and FE guy now but dollar for dollar and HP/TQ nothing Ford beats this;

http://www.fordracingparts.com/parts...tKeyField=9287


And anyone who thinks a windsor is going to beat this for the same money ($8100) is on crack.

Damn that seems pretty impressive per $$$.

Thanks for all the great replies guys, its really got me thinking....

[Great Asp]

Originally Posted by Fordzilla

My opinion would be a Windsor small block or a 385 series Big Block. Both can be built to make HP without breaking the bank.

I did not see "FE" mentioned in this post.

Where is Mick you B&*^%$#@????

What have you done with him???????

E

[Fordzilla]

Hi E, He's still here! LOL!! I was considering the cost factor & the most horse for the dollar, cost of aftermarket performance parts, etc. The FE breaks the bank so didn't mention it. But, you are correct, I'm an FE guy. Have a new monster in the works that should be done in a couple months. I'll get pics up of it & the car when I can. BTW, Your car is looking really NICE!!!!! Great color scheme! Great Car!

[ROUSHAC]

You could always consider doing a bit of "Midnight Discount Shopping" to get the most bang for your buck. (Just don't get caught. )

[Fordzilla]

Originally Posted by rtstrack

Damn that seems pretty impressive per $$$.

Thanks for all the great replies guys, its really got me thinking....

I'm not on crack but have seen some Windsors that will beat it & for less money! Brent Lykins posted some Dyno results a while back that were absolutely incredible from a small block. I don't know what that motor cost but maybe he will see this & chime in with cost & dyno results. Anyway, It's a tough question with so many variables involved, but a fun question that gets everyone thinking & posting.

I'm an FE guy, If it's not a monster stroker blown FE then it's not for me! (Although I have had some great little Ford small blocks in early Mustangs that were a blast on the street)

[Doug I]

So Dave - you going to drive the getaway truck ?

[cscobra]

OK--consider my FE (390 V8, Canton oil pan, Blue Thunder medium-riser aluminum intake manifold, "cleaned-up" Ford cast iron heads, hydraulic lifters, Cobra LeMans black finned rocker covers although I may use my original-type chromed pentroof rocker covers on occasion), built for durability and reliability with reworked stock crank and rods, everything else new, with power similar to the original 428 road car.

I had estimated 375 hp (actual dyno: 381) and 427 lbs-ft of torque (actual dyno: 429); torque curve is nice and flat. Cost of the engine assembly (without my own carburetor, water pump, starter, or alternator, but with my recurved Ford FE distributor and Pertronix conversion kit, Pertronix coil, and ignition wires) was $3960. from Carolina Machine Engines. That's $10.39 per horsepower for an engine essentially identical to the original 428 road car for power (and identical externally for appearance), with all of the reliable power I will reasonably use in ERA 766. As I've noted before, it will be hooked up to a wide-range Toploader and a 3.31 rear end.

Not for everyone, but fine for me and for my intended use of the car, as well as my desire to build it as much like an original as is reasonable.

[lovehamr]

Doug, got your PM. Sort of figured that. I went ahead and did the math on the FMS 514; $8100/625= $12.96 per pony. Of course you'll have to figure a carb in there as well. But them's some hard numbers rite there!

Dave I always knew you had larceny in your heart!

[Doug I]

carb wouldn't run more than, what, $400 ? So that doesn't even break $14/hp. Pretty damn impressive !! And it gives you over 500 pones at wheels - even better !! And a warranty as well - even better.

Dave is pretty good on grass too !!!
He should give the hamster some lessons
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2e8vlRWwvg and part II
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mo8TYapTOsA

[Ronbo]

Yep, 385 series motors produce gobs of HP and stump pulling torque, that's why they're a great choice for a station wagon, truck, school bus or limo. They're size and weight make them less than ideal for mid-size and smaller cars unless you plan on only going in a straight line. (bracket cars and such)

Ultimately, the question has no good answer, since there's no application stated. This matters most.

[rtstrack]

Ultimately, the question has no good answer, since there's no application stated. This matters most.[/quote]

Absolutely True, I wanted to try and get some facts out of everyone before i started getting too many opinions. Now that I have some good solid numbers and facts I can weigh whether I really want an all aluminum block, how much HP is acceptable, if I want to use my current block and parts, total cost etc. These posts were exactly what I was hoping to see. Thanks to all

[olddog]

Pretty open question and many didn't even stick with Ford.

It's been a while but the last Model A Ford dad rebuilt was only about $500. With the high compression Ford racing head on it, I think it was around 50 hp, which gets close to the $10/hp mark.

Then there are a half dozen flat head V8, the Y block, and various other inline 4s and 6s, along with some v6s, that were not considered.

If we are talking 400 - 600 hp range that someone would be willing to put in a Cobra, for the price of decent heads and a cam, a 460 would go well over the 400 hp mark. Its an easy engine to work on. A person could pull one out of junk yard and get there for about $3500 or so. That would be hard to beat.

2nd thought:
You could get over the 400 hp mark with a 351 W the same way and maybe less cost. However, on the 460 you could use factory heads. Port match intake and exhaust ports to the gaskets and clean up the rest of the ports a bit, while your at it. I think you could easily get over 400 hp for less than $2K.

[DR 385]

The Dr is IN,

This is an old post, but I feel it bears reexamination, as it is obviously been contaminated by some "FE"-TARDED members.

It is dangerous when those who suffer from "FE"-TARDATION feel they need to comment on this subject. It is as if they did not even read the title of the post?
Ok, I'm sorry, I need to be more sensitive, Not so abrupt, it is a serious disability that needs to be identified and properly treated.
So let's read it together, obviously the pressure in your tiny skulls has made it difficult to sound out the big words.

Ok slowly now..."What is the best FORD engine per dollar?"

I should have seen this coming, when ever a "FE"-TARD sees "best" and "FORD" they can help but blurt out FE!!!!

"FE"-TARDISM, much like Tourette syndrome, causes the afflicted to randomly exclaim offensive words and obviously false statements in socially and morally inappropriate settings.
Typically, you will hear things like "FE's are the best!!" or "FE's are the most efficient, least expensive, most reliable engines ever created!"

While I am confident that my previously suggested treatment for the more serious "FE-TITUS", will yield positive results for the group, I have devised less invasive than program.
I believe that if the oxygen level in the blood of the afflicted is reduced significantly (98-100% should be sufficient) for a period of 30-40 min, the symptoms should subside. This procedure can be applied manually by a second party or self applied by means of a rope and simple slip type knot.
Another advantage to this treatment type, is that it may be started IMMDIATELY, as rope does not require a waiting period...

As a group, we need be vigilant in our efforts to keep these diseases from spreading to those whose automotive immune systems aren't completely developed, and are susceptible to infection.

The Dr has spoken.....

[Got the Bug]

OK...uh...well...thanks for stopping by then?

I guess we've officially hit "the dog days of summer."