390 FE or Roush 427?

[Chuckster]

Ok Guys,

My BDR goes on order in January and the last piece of the puzzle is the powerplant, so I need some sound advice. 390FE (seasoned block) or a Roush 427?

Some things to consider.......

• I will not be tracking the car
• Mainly for street use and the occasional show
• Want some pop in the throttle to take on all those pesky vette owners
• Reliability is key
• Combo that will hold its value well

Chime in and don't hold back.....I'm all ears!!

[1985 CCX]

How about the new Roush FE?

[undy]

390 for appearance

427 for horse power

[SPF1061]

Well, here's my take:

I will not be tracking the car - 390FE
Mainly for street use and the occasional show - 390FE
Want some pop in the throttle to take on all those pesky vette owners - 427R
Reliability is key - 427R
Combo that will hold its value well - 390FE or 427R

[1985 CCX]

All the above!

Roush 451FE.....................
http://www.roushperformance.com/news...l_story&sid=67

[patrickt]

... you can have a 428FE stroked and bored to your liking. Properly built it will deliver your entire wish list quite handily.

[ENTDOC]

I think the Roush makes more sense in a BDR. Make sure it is a SR. A 390 FE gives you the pains of a 427so without the power or panache

[Power Surge]

I bought my 390 crate engine from an engine builder I found on ebay. I spent some time talking with him to make sure I was comfortable with him, and then bought it. I paid $3200 SHIPPED to my door for a 400hp 390. The motor has been in the car for over 8k miles and has been flawless. It's got plenty of power and it will sit and idle in 95 degree weather all day long. The same engine builder also offers a 450hp 428 for $4500. I was never an FE guy till I got my Cobra, but I can't say one bad thing about my 390.

[RICK LAKE]

Chuckster How deep are your pockets? Let's start there. We need a number to work with. If you have a 15K limit with this car, either a stroker windsor 393-427 or an all aluminium FE stroker buildup. Which Rousch 427? the Windsor or FE based motor? You might want to look is Car Craft for the 447 buildup of an FE motor. Which every way you go, the best motor would be in aluminium with heads and manifold of the same material. My Shelby 482 stroker is 492 lbs dry. This is about 20-30 heavier than an all iron small block Ford. If you want the WOW factor but a set of webers or TWM stack injection system on the top of the motor. Which every motor you go with, have a TORQUE motor built and match the drivetrain for the rest. What gears are you looking at? What trans? If you are looking to smoke the new vettes you better look at the new XFI fuel injection system from FAST. They now have a traction control built into the system. Just like the $100K cars. The only plus side of the Rousch motor is the warrantity for 2 years. YOU have to look at the fine print on the warrantity for abuse and racing, They make the choice if it is covered or not. Alot of guys are running 482 strokers, it's a square motor with bore and stroke. If you limit it to a 6,500 rpm limit you should have many years of driving fun with little maintainance to the motor. Resale valve is a whole other thing. Need some of the questions answered before giving anymore choices on your new car. What does BDR reccomend for a powerplant?? Rick L.

[Chuckster]

Thanks for the quick feedback everybody. Great info.

Rick, I want to land all in between $45k and $55k. Obviously I can get the 390 package on the lower end and the Roush would be at the upper. Tranny will be a TKO 600 and will be running a base BDR chassis (with 15" wheels). I want to get the engine right and spend my $$ there rather than on chassis accessories I can change out at a later date.

BDR recommends either the Roush 402SR/TW or the 427SR/TW, but I can get a 390FE built for a hair under $6k.

My dilemma is this.....At this point, and it being my first cobra, I am wondering if I should go the FE (budget) route first to minimize my cost, drive it for a few years in order to figure out what I like/dislike, sell it, then order another one with the more expensive powertrain (exactly what I want).

[ENTDOC]

no, build what you want the first time.

[PANAVIA]

I agree with ENTDOC, you will never get back to do it....do it the way YOU want it.---the first time.

[Chuckster]

Gotcha!!! Makes sense to me. Looks like I can strike that question from my list. Its good to have folks that have been there before. In that case, I will lean towards the 427SR/TW, do the install myself (with some helping hands), and landing right around $52k.

[dlampe]

You better figuire at least 10% more for the things you don't even know you need yet!

[decooney]

Chuckster,

Has BDR made upgrades to their stock differential setup to handle the horsepower you are looking at?

[r67cat]

Build exactly what YOU want. I have a 1966 428 FE .030 over set up for to be drivable. Idles easy, huge grunt when you step on the gas, and when you open the hood a big block is there just like in the 60's. These cars are very light and are all over powered. Having driven an original SC in the early 70's, I knew there was only a BB choice for me. The 390/428's have been work horse engines since their introduction. I don't think you need 500 cu. inches in these cars to have a very thrilling ride. Just my 2 cents. Rick

[Kzof]

Originally Posted by Power Surge

I bought my 390 crate engine from an engine builder I found on ebay. I spent some time talking with him to make sure I was comfortable with him, and then bought it. I paid $3200 SHIPPED to my door for a 400hp 390. The motor has been in the car for over 8k miles and has been flawless. It's got plenty of power and it will sit and idle in 95 degree weather all day long. The same engine builder also offers a 450hp 428 for $4500. I was never an FE guy till I got my Cobra, but I can't say one bad thing about my 390.

agreed, love my 390.

[Dinobyte]

Originally Posted by decooney

Chuckster,

Has BDR made upgrades to their stock differential setup to handle the horsepower you are looking at?

Interesting question....

I know a guy, with a Kirkham...who broke his axle with less horsepower than I have...has Krikham made changes to their rearend?

My Stats...
522 HP at 5500 RPM
578 Tq at 4100 RPM

What do you think?

[Keithc8]

I can do you an Genesis block 482FE for about the same money as the Roush 427 and do you a 427 small block for about 2000.00 less than them with the same warranty. We are pretty close to you as well here in Arkansas. I also know one of my customers that sells the Backdraft and we can get you a good deal on the car and all of the parts you need to put it together. I would say that you could do the 482 FE engine with most all the parts you need to do the install and be in at about 53,000.00 or so. We can do an all aluminum FE for about 1000.00 more. I know which would hold its value the best, the FE 427 engine would. Good luck, Keith Craft

[Tom of VA]

I love my FE (428) zero problems....