Backdraft Engine Specs

[Winchester67]

Well, what did you select? Big block? True big block? Because I have to say all the big block cars I have owned have been way too heavy in the nose to justify the straight line performance, but that just might be me.

So an FE? Or a 351 bored out? Lordy that 351 Cleveland takes me back to when I was in college. Frankly, outside of the engine it was terrible.

[Millsy]

Small block LS3, was going to go with a Ford 5.0 but they never released the new transmission i needed. Injuries prevent me from using my right arm fully and i wanted paddle shift capability, so i went with what i know and what was available. It is modified and makes 95 more H.P. then a base LS3.

[BDR0572]

Sounds different, I like that ,Love the color scheme check my photo album.

[Millsy]

Originally Posted by BDR0572

Sounds different, I like that ,Love the color scheme check my photo album.

Thanks, yup everyone and their mother picks blue. My motto is do the opposite of everyone else and it actually works very well. Those floor mats are cool, the logo is awesome. Im just glad u dont live near me or i would be annoyed seeing the same color scheme, lol.

[tamanaco]

BDR car #260 started life with a crate 302 FMS 345 HP...not enough Voom-Voom 4 me. So, did a 347 stroker...now it is good enough for an oldguy! 11.90 @ 118 MPH got to love that 8.2 deck engines! BTW...electric blue

[Dwight]

I liked my 500 hp small block, 347

but I think the best motor for a Cobra is the 530 hp 408w.

$9,000 motor, drop it in and drive it with a 2 year warranty.

A couple of my buddies had them and I drove them thousands of miles. Love them. They had the sound and we're very street-able. Good gas mileage for a Cobra. And VERY fast


Dwight

[casedoc]

My BDR #153 has a 418W Stroker from Smeding Performance. Nice torque and accelleration

[Dimis]

Originally Posted by Dwight

but I think the best motor for a Cobra is the 530 hp 408w.

Yes sir. I agree.

If I couldn't be a$$ed with a coyote or didn't want or "need" an FE then
450-530hp+/- at flywheel, a Ford stroked 408 is just about perfect choice for a bdr or spf or hurricane or Emerson or ffr or....

It's that sweet spot of power, efficiency, cost, reliability, look, sound, feel, smell and brand for a cobra...

Enjoy.

[lovehamr]

Originally Posted by Winchester67

Well, what did you select? Big block? True big block? Because I have to say all the big block cars I have owned have been way too heavy in the nose to justify the straight line performance.

Gotta get out of the Mustang chassis mentality. Even with an iron block FE under the hood, my last BDR it still had 52% of it's weight on it's rear wheels. Remember that these puppies are more like front/mid-engine designs rather than just front because the entire engine is behind the front wheel centerline. So, if you want to open your hood and see something other than just another wheezing small block you know what you have to do.....



Before anyone gets their panties in a wad, it was just a joke!

[bobcowan]

I had a small block stroker in the last car. Lots of power, and sounded great.

This time, I'm going with a 5.0 coyote with an Edelbrock blower. I also opted for the 6 speed auto. Something different.

[Saleen09]

How many times have you ever heard "man, I wish I would have gotten a small block instead of this big block" compared to the opposite. I rest my case....

(NOTE: I am 514 cubic inches of bias for the record.)

[Mark Brye]

Mine has an old FMS392. I swapped out the heads to AFRs.

I will put a new engine in some day. Dart block 427w 428w or something like that.

Yes, always want more power. Not that I need more.

[505stang]

1971 351 Cleveland, trickflow heads by T. Meyer, right at 550 hp. Not quite as much hp as my 33 willys at 1600hp, but a whole lot of fun on the streets with that Cleveland!

[Winchester67]

Ha Ha! Good point...never owned a big block with modern upgrades like Aluminum heads. Or even an intake for that matter. Guess that dates me a bit. I am open to a big block, but remember this is a street use car, and I am getting up there in years. My street racing days are long behind me. A modern 302 with liberal Aluminum makes for a very balanced, no power steering powerplant. But yes, 505stang, the 351 Cleveland in a Torinio when I was a kid was a great powerplant after some work...that would be a big fun combo.

[ront49]

Originally Posted by casedoc

My BDR #153 has a 418W Stroker from Smeding Performance. Nice torque and accelleration

Hey casedoc...I too have a BDR with a 418w, build no. 151. I've been trying to find out who may have built the engine an get some specs on it. I know the car came into California from S.A. . Then it was shipped to Connecticut. Don't know who put the engine and trans in it. Reg (BDR owner) seemed it may have been done by a CA shop but wasn't for sure. The block is a 351w style stamped "Ford Racing" on the left front. Heads are Victor Jr. aluminum. Scorpion roller rockers so I'm assuming it holds a roller cam that really "romps." I don't know what the original carb was, I think a 770 Holley. I bought it from a guy in Arizona who had changed it out to a fuel injection... I never could get it properly calibrated so I put a Holley 750 on. Trans is a Tremec 500. Any info you have including comments would be welcome. Where is Smedling Performance? I'm in Arkansas. Thanks, Ron ronthomas@cox.net

[Mark IV]

There is this thing called "Google" Crate Engines - Turn key & High Performance | Crate Motors

[Dominik]

I think a BB only appears front heavy because of the smaller tires in front, tending to understeer. A typical compact 3-cyl car nowadays has the same weight on the front axle as a Cobra, but only 30% on the rear. Not like 50/50 of a Cobra.

If all fails, and the cast iron puts you off, use aluminium engine (parts).

I don't know how low you get get in weight for a BDR, but my RAM sat at 917 kg with room for improvement.

[ront49]

Originally Posted by casedoc

My BDR #153 has a 418W Stroker from Smeding Performance. Nice torque and accelleration

Hi again casedoc...I found out I do have a 418 stroker by Smedling...
480-520hp
approx. 500 ft. lbs. torque
Ford Racing block
4" bore
Stroke ?
Victor Jr. aluminum heads
Air Gap Intake
Holley 750
Scorpion roller rockers
roller cam
forged crank/two-bolt heavy duty mains
Rep at Smedling said they built a lot of the 418's with basically the same components.