SB or BB, seriously guys...

[KobraKarl]

Bandit,

460=dump truck motor..........

[Turk]

Depends on how often you want to replace bearings and fix your engine.If you like doing that kind of things, definetely a stroked Small block.

If you don't like getting your hands dirty and want reliable nasty, noisy torquey power, I would say big block.

TURK

[Russ Dickey]

Coupster:
As someone who is also in the market for a Cobra, I have also had this discussion with many members. My choice is simple: an FE Big-Block. First, because I'm a purist and that's what the originals came with. Second, because there is absolutely no engine in the world that, to me, sounds like an FE.

When you go to a car show or cruise night, and a nice small-block Cobra rolls through, it gets smiles and a few thumbs-ups. When an a nice FE car rolls through, every single head in the place looks that way, and a small crowd begins to follow it to the parking space. The odd firing-order of the FE just gives it an unbelivably sinister, reverberating sound that you feel in the pit of your stomach. That's when the hood goes up and the "Ooohs" and "Ahhs" begin.

Not to say that a small-block doesn't get a response, it just won't generate the same buzz as the BB. When a BB car rolls up, you (and everybody else within a quarter-mile), know it. Again, I'm not wanting to offend any SB guys, I've heard some of your cars with some pretty wild cam grinds, and they do sound mean.

Of course, the drawback is the cost. From my research so far, an FE costs about 25% more than a small block or even the 385-series big blocks, whether it's the initial purchase or replacement parts.

And as far as the racing end goes, Carroll Shelby won with small blocks, but Dick Smith has won hundreds of races and several national championships with his original big-block car. It's all about how you put the power and the torque to the ground. Unless of course you'll be doing a lot of autocrossing....

[xlr8or]

Call DV and have him put a V10 in it for ya..

The 460 may be a truck motor but twice the lifespan for half the price don't sound to bad to me.


Scott

[Excaliber]

Engines to avoid section:
A nice turbo charger on a one of them "hot" Pinto 4 bangers? Then there was the VW powered model. ANYTHNG with a "bow tie" on it!

Engines to choose from section:
A 302 or 351 built to 400 horse. I think 400 is just about the perfect number. Never was a 429-460 fan. Those Shelby alum 427's pretty much take care of any "weight" issues. For looks? Can't beat a big block! For perfomance? Alum 427 just as good as anything else out there.

Engines the Aussie's might use section:
Gawd only knows what you will find here! But it WILL twist your mind upside down!

Ernie

[surfer44]

I'm was in the same position. I am building a Hi-Tech and was trying to decide which SB or BB 428. I listened to the experieced people and their rationalizations and agreed with them about the 351 power and handling. BUT, then they mentioned that when a BB FE pulls up you can FEEL the exhaust pounding on your chest. Well that was enough for me. I went home and ordered my 428 to be built with the biggest and baddest cam that the builder could reccommend. Will I regret it? I think not! There is a certain amount of satisfaction when that hood opens and you can hear the oohs and aahs. I thought about "no, it's a 351" and, "yes it's a 428 R R R" that also made my decision

[frankym]

Turk, not sure about the claim you make about SB stroker requiring frequent replacement of bearings and engine fixes. Talk to Hal Copple, his SPF Olthoff Stroker is a 450+hp stroker SB with over 50,000 miles, with mixed daily driving and track time. I don't think he's done even one engine rebuild but I could be wrong. The idea of a small block working harder to keep up with the big block is kind of a myth, if you race either of them, they'll both wear faster. I don't think that the ergonimics of the strokes alone determines longevity of the engine.

[BANDIT 1]

Mr. xlr8or:

Not only is the 429/460 "more reliable" for half the price, but most of the more "expensive" 427 engines are in the 500 - 600 horsepower range. While the 514 c.i. "crate engine" is rated at 600 horsepower, most are atleast 615 + horsepower right out of the crate. Most 500 + c.i. (460 "stroker") engines are 600 + horsepower. Why pay more for less power? Why does it matter that my "non original" Cobra has a "original" 427 or 428 c.i. engine? If it must be exact, why different frames? Why crome sidepipes? Why modern gauges? Why modern electronic ignitions (like MSD w/rev limiter), didn't know those where "standard" in the 1960's Cobra's?

[Tongue Pirate]

My opinion is pretty straight forward....

Big Block Car=Big Block motor390-427-428

Small Block Car=Small Block Motor289-302-351

Why would you want it any different?

[djseed]

Reliability was very important in my decision. I did not want a period correct piece and then have problems like Brent Mills. I keep thinking of the article in Ford Muscle where they "pro build" a 428 FE.

http://www.fordmuscle.com/archives/engine.shtml

[Tom Wells]

Hey KK,

Can you imagine a

460=dump truck motor

when you pull the lever ?

More like a trebuchet

Tom

[rdorman]

Brand new guy has two posts. Both posts are the same type, BB or SB. New guy has not been heard from since.................

New guy who does not know better, or a resurrection?

Next post "Real, Original or what"

Is some one about to have a good laugh at our expense?

Rick

[xlr8or]

Yo Bandit Chill.. I didn't call it the dump truck motor...



I like the 460. Actually it's the probably the most reliable Ford motor ever made when you consider the number of them out there. It is one of my first choices for a Ford BB in a replica due to it's cost/reliability factor.




Scott

[jhein]

As most guys have said, it's whatever you think you're going to be happy and satisfied with. As far as authenticity is concerned, I don't think any originals came with 460's. The most authentic is a 427. So If you want authentic, get a 427. The emblem on the side doesn't say 460, or big block, it says 427. From what I have seen a nicely done 427 is pretty expensive and may not offer any real performance advantage. A nicely done 351w can make lots of power. Probably plenty depending on what you want to do with the car. My 351w (not stroked) made 480 hp/437 ftlb on the dyno, not too bad. Now guys are building these 351/427 strokers. Honestly, if I that had been an option, that's what I may have gotten. That way when somebody asks "is it a 427", you just say one word, yes.

John
spf1421

[BANDIT 1]

Mr. xlr8or:

I was actually agreeing with you on the subject. I am involved with this thread to "have fun", I haven't been offended by anyone (other tha the Chevrolet engined Cobra owners) and hope I haven't offended anyone...

[rdorman]

........ I just can't help myself! Lets see, Cobras where made with six different engines that I know of. Small blocks where put in 'big block cars' and big blocks where put in 'small block cars'.

So, when is someone going to build a replica of the first Cobra with a 427 in it?

Rick

[Doug Axelrod]

You guys are so cute! I hope you drive your cobras(you DO have cobras, don't y'all?) as much as you argue.

[rdorman]

That is one word that never came to mind thinking about this group!

Rick

[BANDIT 1]

I had a hot girl tell tell me once "ah, that little thing is so cute".

I felt relieved when I realized she was talking about the car...

[rdorman]

Glad you told us that she was refering to the car!!

I have had a number of women call the car cute. I ran them over.

Rick