427 Roush

[mjmacqua]

To all,

I am in the market for a Cobra and had always been set on getting a big block 427 or 428. Besides that it more like the original, the resale values seem to stay high with the Big block. I have also heard that the Big blocks come with a lot of history (ie leaks and problems).

I am sure this Thread is out there, I was just curious to get peoples thoughts on the 427 Roush. I also heard it comes with a 2 year warr. that pretty much covers everything down to leaks.

Look forward to see the replies.
Mike

[Bill Wells]

if you want a 427/428 fe then it is different than the 427 Roush.

you probably know that the 427r is a 351w stroker . 427r is a great engine with roush standing behind any problems during their 2 yr warranty as so many have posted .

so while you could say " 427" , to the purists it is not the same. then again, you have modern day technology, roush warranty - it is a trade off. the 427 r engines i have seen are about $14k as a crate, and a 427fe would run you that and perhaps more depending on the builder. 428's seem to get built for less . prices vary as does the quality of what ya get .

similarly there are other engine builders that can do a 427 stroker for less than the roush would cost . pick your poison as the desire towards originality takes over as well as the thickness of your wallet. bill

[Dwight]

Keith Craft sells a bored and stroked FE that has 461 cid and 600 HP / 619 TQ. Looks like a 427 but does not have the cross bolts, which are hard to see if the motor is in a Cobra. Price about $12,900
Dwight

Mike Lane's KC 461

[ffindling]

Originally Posted by Bill Wells

similarly there are other engine builders that can do a 427 stroker for less than the roush would cost . pick your poison as the desire towards originality takes over as well as the thickness of your wallet. bill

The Roush 427R is built with a 9.5" Dart Sportsman block. Many engine
builders feel the Dart block is the best solution for Windsors in that size
range. They can be built on garden variety 351W blocks for considerably
less money but result isn't quite as good as you usually end up with something
a little undersquare and a marginal rod length/stroke ratio. The Dart block
is worth the extra money for one of these engines.

....Fred

[felo]

I recently bought the new Roush 451 FE that is a Shelby aluminum block with cross bolts on it and I really think is awesome !!!!

Alfredo Canalizo

[Manowar]

mjmacqua
We offer pump gas 427 Windsors up to 550 HP with a two year warranty. We offer a race gas 427 at 625 HP without warranty. These are not Darts, they are our own World products castings. Go to www.theengineshop.com. Click "Products, Complete Engines, Man O'War".
Did I mention we're in Ronkonkoma? PM me if you'd like to see some 427's and get a look at our shop. Or visit Nick at Classic Concepts who is our local dealer to see our engine.

[jwoodard]

Roush makes a really fine engine, but don't get all hung up on the warranty. The Roush warranty is not administered by Roush, but a third party. Read the fine print and know what you're getting.
Many reputable engine builders will give you an equivalent warranty and comparable engine for less money. Jack is proud of his products.

[mjmacqua]

Originally Posted by Manowar

mjmacqua
We offer pump gas 427 Windsors up to 550 HP with a two year warranty. We offer a race gas 427 at 625 HP without warranty. These are not Darts, there are own World products castings. Go to www.theengineshop.com. Click "Products, Complete Engines, Man O'War".
Did I mention we're in Ronkonkoma? PM me if you'd like to see some 427's and get a look at our shop. Or visit Nick at Classic Concepts who is our local dealer to see our engine.

Thanks, I think I saw your block @ Nick's. Very nice Engine accordind to Nick.

[camr]

Update on the Roush warranty: Their program has been self insured with no third party involvement for almost 2 years. It is an easy thing to verify. Just give them a call.

[hawaiicobra]

For the money the Roush is a great value.Complete turn key motor and warranty is from Roush and not a 3rd party.I know of a warranty issue a he was sent a new motor with no hassels.A smaller builder would have a hard time swinging that.I looked at alot of options and to replicate with components and quality the roush was clear choice for me. Full polish 427r small block.

[SPF2245]

I own a 427R and so far have been very impressed. I've had the pleasure of driving two different crate motor cobras (a Keith Craft 408 and a Ford Motorsports 351). I will only say, the 427R has exceded my expectations on power and reliability. Make no mistake, there are better bargins out their...but if you get a Roush, you won't feel like you were shorted on anything. The quality, fit and finish of the motor is great and the powerband is very usable.

[Anthony]

Originally Posted by Manowar

We offer pump gas 427 Windsors up to 550 HP with a two year warranty. We offer a race gas 427 at 625 HP without warranty. These are not Darts, they are our own World products castings. Go to www.theengineshop.com. Click "Products, Complete Engines, Man O'War".

Nice engine packages, but I have some questions.

I noticed that on some of your applications, you are using total seal rings. As I have heard through the grapevine about some bad durability issues with these rings, have you guys experienced any problems with these rings, and which ones are you using, total seal top or second rings?

[Manowar]

Anthony,

No problems at all-here's why.
We do use the complete set from Total Seal (including oil stack)for all our engine families. Our honing process is an equal partner in the ring seal area. Torque plate, speed, duration and grit have been refined to the point where sealing happens quickly. Our builders square each ring in the bore, measure and file fit to our preferred spec.
Remember, each engine is run-in and dyno-tested within the first minutes of it's "life". From three to eight full throttle pulls to make their power numbers. Street engines to about 6300, drags to 72 or 7300 RPM. We always check for visible smoke, leak down and compression test. Also the A/F Ratio sensors for each cylinder warn us if there's a problem.
So they're good when they leave us or they don't leave. We've had NO warranty complaints about ring-related problems and that applies to street engines over a two year span.
I'm just saying that what WE do with Total Seals has been successful. Possibly anybodys rings would be fine with our procedures. Your experience with them may be different and valid for the prodedures you use.

[rick50]

Roush is doing a 427FE
**********

Originally Posted by Bill Wells

if you want a 427/428 fe then it is different than the 427 Roush.

you probably know that the 427r is a 351w stroker . 427r is a great engine with roush standing behind any problems during their 2 yr warranty as so many have posted .

so while you could say " 427" , to the purists it is not the same. then again, you have modern day technology, roush warranty - it is a trade off. the 427 r engines i have seen are about $14k as a crate, and a 427fe would run you that and perhaps more depending on the builder. 428's seem to get built for less . prices vary as does the quality of what ya get .

similarly there are other engine builders that can do a 427 stroker for less than the roush would cost . pick your poison as the desire towards originality takes over as well as the thickness of your wallet. bill

[Streetwize]

The Roush is a great motor, but you are paying them a huge profit margin for the name IMO if you add up the sum of the parts, many competent builders can build you the same motor for less. There is merit in the use of the stronger Motorsports/world products or Dart blocks but then again, it's all in how you plan to run the car when it's done. A precision machined stock block351W based 427 is perfectly reliable up to around 525 hp if you use Top quality components and a stud girdle, the biggest hinderance to the 4.17 stroke 351W's is not the rod ratio, it's the huge main bearings that don't like sustained high RPM. Stock block motors just need to be built for a more moderate peak 500 lb/ft torque/500+hp rpm range, a perfect balance is ~4500rpm tq/5500rpm hp peaks with a 6000-6200 rpm redline...with modern aftermarket heads flowing in the 280 @.500" lift this power/tq level can easily be attained with a mild street roller in the ~236 @.050 range. This would not be an all out drag motor, but it will easily propel a 2500 lb Cobra into the high 10's/low 11's if properly set up and in the right hands...quite respectable by any measure regardless of cost. With the relatively low torque peak rpm, the stresses on the bottom end above the torque peak will not be excessive on a well machined motor. Sure it's not optimal, but it's perfectly servicable for the purpose.

As I said, it's all in how you plan to run the car, if you are an avid road racer or drag racer, or if you plan to spray the motor, by all means build an aftermarket block motor. But if you are more a week-end enthusiast who is just looking for that big block grunt and massive mid range torque, a perfectly strong 525 horse stock block 351W-427 can be built for much less. I'm a 'bang for the buck' approch type of guy, I always build with my head first and not with my wallet, I don;t know, I've always been that way. At first it was because as a kid with no money, IT HAD TO BE THAT WAY, now, I have the choice, but I still prefer to spend less and put the difference somewhere else that makes more sense to me, like kids College funds, investments and charities. Cobra builders tend to be obviously a high-end demographic, so just like at Barrett-Jackson, many people tend to brag about how MUCH they spent on their cars instead of how little, so in the end it's all in what you are looking for.

my .02

Wize
www.streetwizeperformance.com

[FUNFER2]

Alfredo- may I ask, how much was your motor ?

[felo]

Kevin,I paid $19,400 plus Shiping.

Alfredo

[496fe]

If KC can build a 600 HP FE motor for $12,900.00, that is the deal of the century.

[felo]

All depends on what do you want on a FE motor (aliminum 427 side oiler,cross bolts etc.)