New guy with FIA/427 Questions

[DoneByDoug]

I've decided on a mfg-ERA, but need advice on FIA vs. 427. Here goes..

Big Block vs. Small Block-Does a 427 or 428 require more long term service and tweaking? Does the sound really differ that much? Either way, I'd like to go with a roller cam. If I opt for the FIA, I can get a 351w built locally, but am not confident in the abilities of local builders to tackle a 427 build. I'd prefer a local builder.

FIA vs. 427-What's the ultimate price difference for the total build

FIA vs. SC-Handling. What's the difference in "feel"

Great site, and great amount of knowlegable and great guys. Thanks in advance everybody.

Doug in Louisiana

[Dangerous Doug]

I was dead-set on a 427 until I really started looking at the cost of building and maintaining a 427 SO or 428 PI. I got turned off by the expense, and started looking at the 289 FIA --- which I had virtually ignored in my 427-obsession. Once I started looking at the ERA 289 FIA lines, I was intrigued. I went to look at one and I was hooked. A little more svelte than the 427, with some intriguing differences that a novice is unlikely to notice. I have one of very few 289 FIA's in Northern California.

Very nice street/strip 351W for about $10k. FE? That will set you back at least $15k up to what, about $25k? I met one guy that had $40k in his stroked 427 SO. Yes, FE's sound like a P-51, but I've heard some pretty impressive small blocks as well.

Check the ERA registry and see if there is anyone near you with a 427 or a 289 FIA, and see if you can check it out. Try and connect with your local Cobra club.

[Dangerous Doug]

By the way, you can't go wrong with ERA. I've been absolutely thrilled with their product and have found Peter, Bob and others at ERA very helpful. The manual is excellent, too. I'm sure you won't be disappointed in either 427 or 289FIA.

DD

[Jim Holden]

I've had both big block (ERA427SC) and small block (FIA) ERAs. If you stick with a 428 and don't go crazy (ie; Webers, etc.) $10k is reasonable number for the 428 motor and it will have more than enough power and sound great on the street. 427s tend to have a slightly harsher tone.

On the other hand, I have a Dart 302 (b/s to 347ci) with Dart aluminum heads zero balance forged crank, Webers, etc. in my FIA and have somewhere between $15-20k in that motor.

So, a lot depends upon your ability to restrain your motormania...

See: Jim's USRRC

(The motor in the car in the pictures has Gurney Eagle heads which has gone in to an ERAGT. I have since replaced it with the Dart motor in the FIA)

Jim

[ENTDOC]

I would go with the FIA and a 302 maybe stroked to 331, possibly aluminum block and a TKO 600. Much cheaper all around than a 427so and much easier to work on. Power will be more than adequete and it will be more rare than a SC. I have had a 427so with webers and although a really cool motor , they are expensive to build , to run, and difficult to work on. Dont try and put a small block in an SC however, that just is not right, and I would not put an exotic stroked 351 in an FIA either, use the engine class that the body style was intended for.

[patrickt]

Remember that there is a line of guys in front of you if you're going with ERA. For a turnkey, the wait time might be a year, maybe more, I don't know. You'll have to call Peter and find out. As for styles and engines, I'm a big FE fan, which means the 427 style car. The FIAs are certainly nice though. Yes, the FE sounds different -- especially with a solid lifter cam. Yes, they cost more. But look at this way, if you go with a FE powered 427 style you'll have plenty of time to get your engine put together, and the builder does not have to be local to you. Just use someone that knows FEs -- you can get some recommendations from the members here.