Why did you choose a 351 over a 427?

[Zoom This]

Since I bought my SPF in September, I decided to have House of Cobras in Anaheim install their 418 stroker. Early on, I stated that I couldn't see anything other than a 427 in a 427 Cobra. However....once I took their 418 out for a drive, I quickly changed my mind based on several things - weight, parts availability, cost, and a motor that seemed to be just more "quick witted" than a 427/460 on the track. The 418 has 535 lbs. of torque and 520 hp with 80% of its torque down at 2500 rpm. I found my decision easier than I thought. What made any of you decide to go with a 351/stroker in your 427 Cobra??

[trularin]

Well, mine is not a stroker, but it is a boss 351.

Weight was a primary reason. Fun was a secondary reason.

Handling was a factor as well.

Just my $0.02

[Ron61]

Zoom,

I have had almost every kind of Ford engine except the 385 series at one time or another. I had a 427 tunnelport, 406 tri power,and various versions of the 427, 428, and 390 series. I also have had and do have a 289, 439 (428 bored) and stock 351s to the 416 stroker I have in my Replica now. I like the big blocks for raw power and they will pull through that wall of air you hit easier than the strokers, but I feel that my car just gets off corners and handles better all around with the small block. I still enjoy driving the big block, and that raw power at just over 100 MPH is a real thrill but since I no longer go to the tracks, I drive my 289 stock 2 barell most of the time. But once again it just gets down to what you yourself prefer and I won't say that one is better than another.

Ron

[RallySnake]

Hey Ron,

Great post!

Thank you,
Paul

[Curt C.]

I think you hit all the major points: Weight, parts cost, ability to make big power etc. These were the reasons for me. Unless you want an original look or just want to make stupid N/A horsepower - 650+, the SBF competes very well.

[bittentoo]

Is this another way of asking.....

SB vs BB

Could this be a long thread

[anchor2]

I drove both side by side and although 600hp bb was a real kick in the pants I was able to feel the difference in handeling with the sb. Just personal preference.

[TerrysSPF]

ZoomThis: you should have stroked it a little farther........to 427. Then you could have still said you "have a 427" in your car! I know a couple guys that have done that, and they are strong runners (up to 600HP!). With todays blocks, you can bore / stroke a 351 to 427 (or more) without any problems.

[Tinker51]

For no other reason than I can get my hands anywhere on the engine. Something that cannot be said about a BB once installed in the car. A friend of mine is into Sunbeam Tigers and there is about 85% of the engine I cannot get to in his cars. That number is lower in a BB Cobra but it is near zero with a SB. There, that's my .02 worth.

[rbray]

$

[Tony Radford]

My car (which I purchased from a previous owner) was built around a Windsor. I simply wanted more, so I had it replaced with a stroker. One of the best moves I ever made. I couldn't imagine needing more HP or torque.

[Cracker]

Give it time Tony - like all power surges - your senses catch up eventually. I've felt that way many a time only to find the acceleration a bit to familiar after awhile. Billy P's got the fix the next time around too - just look at TC.

[Tony Radford]

What do they call those rocket packs they put on C130s for short field take offs? I hear they're not much for long trips, but the 0-60 is amazing!

[Mark Husar]

I am not a race car driver. I don't compete nor have I spent time at the track.
However, I do learn from what others tell me. The weight of the big block up front has caused more than one driver...street or track, to lose it and attend the mandatory meeting with his maker.
I didn't trust myself at my experience level to handle the car.
Just my 2 cents worth.

[casaleenie]

My Unique FIA came with the small block...351W...
Not the 427 but more period correct for this car I guess..
I took a ride in a 427 with a 427 SO with Webers and I wasn't right for a month but eventually came back to my senses..
The 351W is just fine in that car... I'm better now....I've had therapy and everything...

[Carroll DeWeese]

I drove both and liked the handling of the stroked 351 better. My car is a replica, not an original. I felt no need to be absolutely period correct. I fell in love with the car and not its engine. The stroked 351 gave me everything plus that the original had. I have small block handling and big block torque

[wilf leek]

I did originally want to go the 427SO route. My particular car is set up for big blocks rather than small really.

However, just a little research made me realise that here in the UK, few if any engine builders actually understand the FE engine properly, engine cores are exceptionally rare, and that it would have been a specialist build for which my own knowledge was also lacking. And of course I did not know then about the likes of George Anderson (well, what can you expect, I can't see Nebraska from here). I even looked into buying a 427 from the 'states, but realised the pitfalls were many and my knowledge (then) so limited that I could have wasted a lot of money. WHich I could not afford to do.

Thus I went for the relatively straightforward and simpler 408W stroker engine. I planned it to give much the same power/torque and power delivery characterisitics as the "original" cars, i.e. lots of torque. And it does do that pretty well. The only issue I have had is getting the front end of the car spring rates right for the much lighter weight of a windsor block with ally everything.

These days, were I to contemplate another car, my knowledge has increased, not least by frequenting this place, and I would feel quite happy to go get a big block engine built for me in the USA, quite like the idea of the Shelby ally block. Of course, I have a few pennies to save as well.

[Dominik]

I would always use an ancient 427/428 FE for originality and a 427W (stroked 351) to get the original displacement excluding the fear of destroying a rare 427 SO block.

I never felt a difference in handling. Use a 16" steering wheel for the BB and a 15" for the SB. Weight distribution is still 50/50 after all.

Plus, I am not a professional driver :-)

Dom, Cape Town

[Turk]

The reasons for putting a SB in a Cobra instead of a Side Oiler will be debated for a long time.

For SPF owners who are NOT trying to look correct, and could care less about authentictity etc, it is the perfect engi?e. The car is set up for it, why NOT put in a SB. They end up with a very practical easy to drive, easy to repair car and they are happy.

Others, especially the Kirkham, Shelby and ERA owners feel more at home with an FE.

Maybe it is the cost maybe it is the look.
It may very well be that they are so deeply invested in their above average cost car, they go the next step and either say. "screw it, or "might as well go all the way".

It makes no sense for someone to put in an engine that costs almost as much as the car they chose.

TURK

[Excaliber]

Reliability, easy to get parts for, gas mileage to some degree and I'm looking for a "daily driver". Those reasons would be why I WANT a 351, but have settled for an even smaller 302.

But then again, I'm getting a Classic Roadster so engine choice is not so critical in that marque! The car itself often dictates the egine choice, as Turk has mentioned!

Ernie