SPF engine choices

[HI Cobra]

Originally Posted by Woodz428

Thanks...not sure how you know that...maybe you went to my profile.
How's Kailua, spent some of my fonder youth there. Littlest brother was born there, I'm sure it has been developed to death now, but it was just beginning then. We lived there when it became a state and also when they outlawed the "lei wagons" that the Hawaiian women had in Waikiki to make leis for all the tourist with their own flowers. Lived on both sides of the island and had to use the Pale' to get from one side to the other...we also were there when they opened the 4 lane from one side to the other. That was probably one of the first Fed programs they got after becoming a state.
First few months we lived in the Islander Hotel...probably long gone.
It was a great place to spend some of my formative years.

I have been here 35 years now - 31 in Kailua right next to the Marine base.
Hasn't changed much since I've been here - now we have the Pali, Like Like,
and H-3 to get to the other side. All the development has been west of
Pearl City on out to Kapolei.

[Woodz428]

Originally Posted by HI Cobra

I have been here 35 years now - 31 in Kailua right next to the Marine base.
Hasn't changed much since I've been here - now we have the Pali, Like Like,
and H-3 to get to the other side. All the development has been west of
Pearl City on out to Kapolei.

After the Islander we spent part of our time just outside the base too, the rest of the time ON the base......Tarrawa Terrace.... they were big on naming stuff after WW2 battles. Used to play in the old bunkers that were on the coast, the only way to play war when you're a kid......also used C-rations for food.
If you don't mind the inquiry what was the shipping to Hi for the Cobra? I remember it was so pricey at that time, my dad sold his new '57 Turnpike Cruiser wagon and bought an old '51 Chevy so he had enough money to ship a car.It was replaced later in Hi. by a new compact car called a Mercury Comet...that ol' 144 was not quite enough for a 5 kid family with luggage....or without probably.
Didn't mean to step on the thread... That is a nice color combo

[madmaxx]

If you go with an engine over 400 hp, you had better go with polyurethane motor mounts and scrap the pos rubber sheet that comes with the roller. Eric at PE knows exactly what to use. The reason being your engine will torque and the side pipe will hit the bottom of the passenger side opening when it torques.

As far as engines, nothing smaller than a 427 displacment, either stroked small block or big block. The difference is a stroked small block is like fake breast, the size and perfect shape is there where the big blocks float on their own but sure sag quicker. Either way they both get the job done.

[Nantucket427]

Why anyone would put a small block in a 427 Cobra is beyond me but we are all different and it would be a dull world if we were all the same.

[Great Asp]

Originally Posted by Got the Bug

Andrei,

Congrats on the purchase of your SPF! You may want to post your question in the Small Block forum. Performance Engineering has built and installed a lot of motors in SPFs, and seems to have a good reputation. You might want to take a look at Keith Craft as well.

BTW - Who did you order your SPF from and are you doing the install?

I agree with this post as I have had motors built by both companies.

E

[m5extc]

Thank you everyone for the overwhelming and quick responce. I can't wait to get my hands on this thing and start building so I can meet up with the group in a Cobra not just my Mustang. Thanks again for all of the useful and unbiased information.

Andrei
(dreaming of a belated Sunset/Titanium Xmas)

[PANAVIA]

Andrei - let me know if you need help. I did my own install and it has some interesting anomalies.

have you picked out a motor idea 351W, 5.0L , FE >?

--Steve

[Veloce]

Andrei,
Since you are in the Bay Area,
Why not cruise over to Livermore on Saturday morning to have breakfast with the Bay Area Cobra Club?

We have all kinds of folks who have bult their own, had local builders build motors, bought crate motors from all over and just about any combination of the above.

We meet every week at the Rock House in Livermore.

Everyone is welcome.

Jim Savoy
SPF 2353

[cay5628]

I bought my engine from Smeding Performance in Rancho Cordova. Ben and his crew are experts at the small block Ford setups. We went all the way with a Dynatek Injection on his base 427 Cobra crate motor, I'm a happy customer. It's a ways to go from San Luis Obispo area but worth the drive for me. I'll be doing the install myself in my Everett Morrison Gen IV. Can't wait. Good luck with the SPF.

Mark

[Bill Bess]

M-5, Some basic things to consider, and do prior to purchase of your driveline componants.
Do I want an engine/trans. combo to eliminate any match-up part issues?
Discuss the warranty procedures with the builder prior to purchase (how things will be handle..if a problems occurs) and get it in writing.
How far is the builder away from where you live.....if the car/ motor can be trailered or towed to their shop, it may be an advantage.
Most importantly, how good are they to deal with, regarding service, attitude and advice, product selection, warranty, and Price.

There many good builders out there, and this forum is an excellent place to find advice, but remember, folks just love the one they used and don't always know much about the others, so do your research.

Best Regards, Bill

[PANAVIA]

I would say go local if you can. There are many good engine builders in Nor Cal.

*Ford Racing* crate motors are hit and miss for us, we have sent 3 back to ford in 12 months. 2 x 340 horse 302 XB/EM , and a 347.

Right now we are currently helping with an issue of a prominent builder back east and it is tough.

Imagine: We are on the phone with him, and have the customer standing next to us, and we are seeing things that *we* would not be happy with.

If you go local ( even 150 miles away) that is better than a plane / truck ride for your engine-car.

Plus you help people in california earn a living, be they in Sacramento, San Jose, etc.

If you are worried about sales tax, they collect that with your registration , so if you buy your motor in ca , pay ca sales tax, your registration cost will go down.



--Steve

[eric johnson]

Originally Posted by Nantucket427

Why anyone would put a small block in a 427 Cobra is beyond me but we are all different and it would be a dull world if we were all the same.

Well, how about the "no flywheel" snap and high winding feeling of a built small block Ford... Torque is great, but I love that scream! But you're right everyone is different. Viva la difference!!