SB Enough?

[ERA2188]

Which CAR do you prefer? I had a Unique FIA with a stock 302 HO and we added alum heads to the motor. Sold that and ordered an ERA FIA with a KC 331 stroker. I prefer the FIA body - to me it's the "original" cobra and just looks better. As far as power in a SB, depends on what you're going to use if for. Daily driver and concerned about mileage?? (few cobra owners use em that way and aren't concerned about mileage). A stock 302 HO with a small cam gives you your torque in the 3000 rpm range so it accelerates quick, but will run out of steam at the high end if you want speed on a long straight (Sebring?). A 331 or 347 stroker will give you a lot of power and torque - kicks in around 3500 rpm (again depending on the cam)AND DOES NOT RUN OUT OF STEAM UP TO 6500 RPM. You can always go the 351 route (still a SB) and a stroked 351 (402 or 408) will give you 500 HP and a ton of torque. So I think the first question - especially if you're already ONE MONTH INTO AN ERA WAIT - is to decide on a body / chassis - as they are completely different ones.

Once you decide on FIA vs SC then you have a motor decision:

FIA - 302 variant (302 HO, 331, 347) or 351 viariant (351, 402, 408)
427 SC - 351 variants are very common (402, 408 even 427 using a dart block) or a real Big Block

That might impact your delivery date if you're going for a turnkey. My 331 stroker has AFR 165 heads and dyno'd at 436 flywheel hp at KC and 326 rwhp on a chassis dyno last week. If I had gone with AFR 185's it would have added 40 HP. The 331 has a nice power reserve and as far a "economy" can get 18.5 mpg on the highway. Enjoy your research. But the sooner you let Peter P know WHAT your are going to do the sooner you will get your car. Rickd

[WildBill3]

For our car we chose a 408 with a Big mech roller cam does it sound good,and ya know I cant here the BB engines over mine because usually ther behind me on track they do sound good ,as im passing them.they are great in the straight line but not so much on the twisties,now with a really savy driver and a really big engine who knows, its your car build it your way and enjoy...WB3

[Ronbo]

WildBill makes a good point, to reduce the understeer you'd want an aluminum BB. This would put you in the ballpark of an iron SB weight wise.

Of course now there's aluminum SB's available too...

I'm going to shut up now. It's all good.

[diegokid]

Thats one of the things I have been trying to find out but no one seems to know. What does a FE motor weigh with Aluminum heads, intake, flywheel and water pump. I have heard everything from 525 to 600, just curious. I do know the cast iron intake manifold from a FE ford makes a great trout line weight.

[Slick61]

Originally Posted by DoneByDoug

Some folks are claiming that a cobra owner gets used to a SB and eventually yearns for a 427.

...and would appreciate the better mileage of a SB.

why not a SB 427?

I have an all-aluminum 427 Windsor stroker kickin out 612 hp and 615 lb-ft of torque... with a total vehicle weight of 2240 lbs. It's a hoot. Don't expect great mileage tho... and I wouldn't use it as a primary consideration when looking at a car like this- you get what you get. I typically average about 10 mpg going easy on the LOUD pedal... whatever.

If you want mileage, go with a modular 4.6L, 32 valve & maybe put a power adder (blower) on it. Entertaining, streetable, & efficient. (sounds really good too)

[greg schroeder]

Does anyone have a big block on motor alone that has some drag strip data with good numbers?

We have a drag day coming up here in Arizona if anyone wants to come on out to Speed World for a big block small block shoot out. Here's a link.

March 1, 2008 drag day

[WildBill3]

Hey Diego James Yales 427sb put out over 600hp on Crafts dino, normaly aspirated and I know it ran good to get the full power he had to run the Big header tube size on the coupe that normally has the four sidepipes no miths with his setup all pro deal.look him up on CC great guy to talk to...WB3

[diegokid]

Love that video.

[AMF]

post deleted.............nm

[Juggernaut]

Originally Posted by fsstnotch

Just build it how YOU want it. If you build it with a big block because everyone else says you should, you may end up wishing you have a small block. Just build it however YOU want.

For an FIA, I'd definitely go with a small block.

Edit, you replied right when I did. I planned a SB for my SC kit for some of the exact reasons you just posted. Also, I plan to drive my cobra alot when it's finally done! So not only will teh SB be cheaper and more reliable IMO, it should also be a little lighter on the wallet when I fill her up. I'll get a few more smiles per gallon!

My thoughts exactly! I built my Cobra to please one person..........me!

I, too, will be driving mine on the street a lot. What I want out of my Cobra is a good running & dependable small block so I don't have to always waste precious driving time re-jetting the carb or trying to figure out why it runs hot or always having to adjust something to make it just a bit faster.

All I want to do is hop in it & drive!

But thats just me.

[cobrarkc]

The nicest sounding Cobra I ever heard was an original 289 with a hairy solid cam in it. If after you drive you SB and you want more power supercharge it. Anyway it all boils down to what YOU want. Like was already mentioned there are tons of 427 cars with SB why not be different go BB if that is what you want. Remember it come down to you that has to be happy. Either way your going to have fun!

[1985 CCX]

If you prefer the FIA, as I do, then stick to the small block as the cars are so light it really will not matter. You could also do as a SAAC member did with a slabside = 427 windsor or even Clevor. With today's technology you can have a 427 SB with reliable and gas efficient operation.
This will be screaming fast!

If you go 427 car, I would suggest a punched 390FE as you will get original look and again with today's heads better than original power at 1/2 the cost. Most of today's replicas are faster than the 60's cars which is possible with 40years of tech.

Best of luck!

[Danr55]

I've read through this and have a question. What is your definition of small block? Is it a 289/302 or does in include a 351W or maybe even a Cleveland motor? Depending on your point of view, any of those could be considered small blocks. Personally, I like the cleveland motors for the torque value. They are not the power houses that the 427's are, but if you're not racing, you can spin the tires and the motor sounds BODACIOUS, what more can you ask for?

[CHANMADD]

If you think the 2 cars you have now have power and torque ,wait until you drive a "small" block Cobra!!!

[AMF]

Get whatever suits you right now. If it's not enough for you down the road, you can always slap a twin screw on it.

A twin screw will give you all the power/torque you need and then some. And yes, the torque is available down low where everyone likes it. Couple on top of that, you can keep your gas mileage.

A built 289 with a twin screw has the ability to outperform ANY naturally aspirated big block.

There are 4.6 modulars making 1000 hp. I've seen a 2V 4.6 with stock heads/intake make 600 RWHP. (with a blower of course). And that's with a safe/streetable tune.

Again, I'd get a wicked 289, built to the max (forged crank, billet rods, billet pistons, built valve train/heads) and then when you get used to the power, slap a kenne bell or whipple on top of it. If you run the compression down in the 9:1 range, you can stuff 10-14 psi into it with relatively no issues or worries. That would put that motor well into the 600rwhp range.

However, I must add that it all comes down to your budget and whatever "steal" deals you happen to come across. All things being equal, a big block will cost less than a small block plus blower. So if you happen to come across a nice backup race engine for sale then I'd snatch it up, BB or SB, doesn't matter. If it's a SB and it doesn't blow your skirt up enough, slap a twin screw on and enjoy the ride.