Best small block for a cobra?

[BevanWright]

and Australian!

[MrMagoo]

Hey guys. I was at a show and I saw a guy with a unique configuration. He had both and FE *and* a stroker in the same car! Some long faced fellow in an old boonie hat from `nam, said his initials were JFK but said I should just call him "Miguel". He said "See, you CAN have it both ways".

[goaztecs]

Any engine with less than 500 horsepower isn't even worth installing in a Cobra

Good thing Carrol Shelby didn't think that, or he never would've installed a 260, 289, a 390 or even a 427 (made 425 or 475HP depending on street or race trim) in a Cobra, and there would be no Cobra story whatsoever.

[goaztecs]

..and what is with putting these corny Chevy engines in your Cobras? I suppose you have a Mercedes engine in your BMW and you swapped a Mopar into your Lumina? If you wanted a Chevy, why not get yourself an IROC-Z? Why pollute the Cobra, a pedigreed winner with blue oval under the hood?

[Bill E]

4.6 comes whith 6 speed trans computer fule pump gages and harnes all you do hook up the battry 6,400 from ford

[GeeDoubleYouSee]

brs94vette,
The problem with a stroker small block is the rod ratio is no good and you really don't need a stroker to get HP. Here's a stock bore and stroke 351 windsor that puts out.
Stock bore & stroke
Engine: Ford 351-W (4" bore, 3.5" stroke) with Super Victor #2924 intake, 850 cfm carb, Victor CNC heads #7729, Crane mechanical roller cam #368211 and JE pistons with 13.25:1 compression
Results: 617 horsepower at 7500 rpm and 464 ft/lbs. of torque at 6500 rpm

Not bad for a stock lower end Diamention. Probably an Dart iron eagle with billit crank.


GWC

[Ron61]

GWC

And that 13.25 compression is going to run how on the pump gas we have out here? Rest sounds good, but that engine will not run on our pump gas worth a darn. All the clatter and banging will most liikely beat it to pieces. Lower compression to run on Calif. gas and what horsepower would you have. Probably around 500 - 550, still very good.

Ron

[klayfish]

You'll get a million different opinions on this. It's a decision you need to make based on what you want.

A few things to remember. The Cobra is a very light weight car. So it doesn't take much to get it going. My car is around 2200 lbs. My 351W, bored .040, roller rockers....has no problems whatsoever snapping my neck back. A good solid motor like that will give you great acceleration. As you said, SBs handle better than BBs. I'm sure people will disagree, but at some point, more horsepower becomes just tire smoke unless you have a way to really hook up well, like slicks or something like that. Also, check with other BDR owners about power and rear end reliability. Remember, the BDR was designed using BMW pieces dating back years ago. It was never designed to take the kind of power you're talking about. Make sure you won't have parts breaking from the stress. These 351s are torquey motors.

Steve

[rdorman]

Best small block for a Cobra................ why a Cleveland of course!
Rick

[GeeDoubleYouSee]

Ron,
I was not suggesting to anyone to run this combo, it was an example that you do not need stroke to get HP, There are plenty of ways to get HP without stroke. The rod ratio on a 427ci 351w is terrible, the stroke would be shoving the piston into the cylinder walls. causing wear as well.

GWC

[Street Stalker]

jus my 2 cents.... i went threw the same deal bb or sb. and the best conclusion is 331 from dss motors. reasoning is.... bb are flat out bada$$ but they come with a cost such as more expencive parts on motor and tranny setups beefer everything and there roughly and dont quote me but about 140lbs heavier than a small block. i know that a 351 is more bang for your buck than a 302 stock vs. stock, but 302 parts are a dime a dozen, easy to work on and you can beat out any 351 by all the parts available for the 302. lastly im going with a 331 due to the fact dss even states that the stroke ratio is better on the 331 than the 347. And you get roughly 40 extra hp at 3k rpm over the 347 setup. finaly for an easy look at whats all out there simply pick up any fast fords and muscle mustang magizne. my 2 cents

[MidOHasp]

bevan...

in case you weren't kidding, i was.

[brs94vette]

After talking with Reg at BDR today I think I am going to go with the Ford Crate 351W Stroker. 392 c.i. 430HP/450lbs. of torque..
Bruce

[decooney]

Originally posted by brs94vette


After talking with Reg at BDR today I think I am going to go with the Ford Crate 351W Stroker. 392 c.i. 430HP/450lbs. of torque..
Bruce

Ding Ding Ding Da Ding! Good answer.

For a BDR and its handling characteristics, I would tend to agree going with say a fully blueprinted/ported 392 stroker setup with as many aluminum accessories as possible. Best of all worlds. Keep it light and it will be torquey, quick, fast, and very fun to drive.

[Street Stalker]

the 331 from dss is rated to 650 hp

[Ant]

Stalker,

I reckon a 331 with 650bhp wouldn't be at all suitable for road use as well, unless you run high octane gas, and it aint going to last that long, thats getting up into race engine power.

Just $0.05cents of my non guru opinion!

[Nor Cal Al]

I did a Ford Racing crate 392W in my BDR and it is amazing. Lots of torque in just about any gear. I got my entire drivetrain from the Ford catalog and everything has worked out fine except some issues with the McLoed scattershield and alternator mount.

Got the ignition and Holley Street Avenger (770) from Kragen on sale. Everything started up and worked fine from the first key start with only minor carb adjustments. Saved $1-2K from other engine builders and everything was brand new.

The 392 was recommended by Reg at BDR for best weight-to-power. Mike Kelly at Serramonte Ford (a Ford Racing dealer) in the Bay area (CA) was great and very knowledgeable. They even paid shipping for the engine and trans (to the dock).

Can't get rid of this silly grin.....

[Goober]

Bruce, listen to Reg. The 392 stroker is more than enough power to pucker up your backside. I have the same engine and it is great for the street with no issues. 90% of Cobra owners never 'seriousily' race their cars pushing super high RPM's anyway. Most just have an occasional blast on a track somewhere, and believe me, it's super fun. I have friends with SB and BB with some pushing out 650+HP. They don't have any more fun than I do.
Just my 2 cents
Mark

[driver]

Just for the record... I have a SPF with a Keith Craft 331 and there is no doubt in my mind that this is the sweetest SB available . It was broken in , tuned and dynoed {470 HP} for $8,000. It has the best of everything.... I have rear exhausts and the idle is most incredible. It is completly docile and torquey until you crack it, It screams, and It will slip away from a new Viper.It is 300 LBS less than a big block and the car feels light on its feet.Please Email me I have a lot more to tell

John T

[GeorgiaSnake]

J.P. is that the short (lenght wise) or the long one? If it's the short one (16 15/16") with Hirth needle bearings I'll take it.

Randy