Small block or FE?

[CarGuy427]

I am looking at a new Superformance 427 roller and it seems like most guys are putting small blocks in. What’s the current thinking or recommendation? I actually would prefer an FE because it is more period correct. Please share your thoughts. What about resale value? Thanks

[twobjshelbys]

Are you looking at a new engine or a restoration of an old FE? If so the care that must be taken to be sure the old engine is worthy is more than it's worth.

You show in your info as having a Shelby Engine 427. If you stay with a modern block and build either will do what you want then it becomes personal preference of the engine characteristics. I preferred the SBF 427.

[eschaider]

You can make similar power with a significant reduction in front-end weight, especially if you go the aluminum block and heads route with the small block. That said, you can also go the aluminum block, and heads route with the FE and lose a lot of front-end weight. The car will still be lighter with the small block but not as visually correct as with an FE, iron, or aluminum.

The car will be more enjoyable to drive with less nose weight but comparably dangerous in terms of spinouts, no matter which engine you choose. Even small blocks today can produce way more power than the chassis can reliably deliver to the ground.

In the end, your engine choice should be a personal preference. Unless you are going for some type of originality award in a car show (which is meaningless — you have a replica), the period correct thing, and about $5 will get you a small cup of coffee at startrucks.

Use what you prefer, not what someone who didn't pay the bills likes.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by CarGuy427

I am looking at a new Superformance 427 roller and it seems like most guys are putting small blocks in. What’s the current thinking or recommendation? I actually would prefer an FE because it is more period correct. Please share your thoughts. What about resale value? Thanks

I can't tell you how many times I've seen people look into the engine bay of a 427 style Cobra and then lament "ehhh, it's a small block." And it doesn't matter if that small block makes 600 horsepower or 250 horsepower it's still a small block. The reason you see more small blocks with SPF cars, and not with ERA cars, is because the ERA was more likely custom made for the buyer and those buyers are specifically steered away from small blocks in a 427 car (if they had any intention of going down that sad alley to begin with). That and the fact that getting an FE properly built is a PITA. Anybody and his mother can build a small block Ford. If you're even asking this question then you have to go with an FE or you'll never be happy.

[Grubby]

Most Superformance cars are small blocks, so that should be the baseline for resale.

Most ERAs are FEs. If built with a small block, resale would suffer.

John

[RockBit]

I have talked to Superformance owners with SBF engines that say they wish they had gone with an FE. I have never heard an owner with an FE say they wish they had gone with a small block.

[eschaider]

In the end, this will be a matter of personal preference, and whatever you choose will automatically be right for you. If you were building an ERA, there would be a reasonably strong tug on your building psyche to use an FE because of resale and ERA tradition. Not so much with an SPF.

In the end, the only thing that will matter is that you are happy with your choice. Follow your heart, do a good job, and you will be happy.

BTW, my SPF is about as non-traditional in engine choice as you can get without using some sacrilegious engine. When you open the bonnet, it is wall-to-wall small block. A Modmotor is essentially the same size as a SOHC engine, and it has a blower on top to add to the visual impact. Build what you want, and you will be happy.

[jacobsed]

You may want to consider a 385 series big block option also.

[CarGuy427]

I appreciate the feedback. I just wanted to make sure there wasn’t more to it because of the number of small blocks that I have seen in Superformance Cobras. Appreciate the comments and points that were made. Will take all into account. Thanks.

[FredG]

As previously stated, it's going to be a matter of personal choice. I can think of the good and bad about both. I think the last things in the decision making process would be how it looks or aesthetics. Do your research and make your own decision.

Fred

[RAZOR]

For myself I wanted a cruiser and went 390FE stroked to 445ci. Totally satisfied with my choice, that was built by Southern Automotive in Atlanta, good, dependable people.
There is no mistaking it's a big block when you hear it, and I wanted that rumble, makes beautiful music. As said it depends on your wants and needs.

[incoming]

SBF is a lot cheaper to build than an FE. There are SBF to FE valve cover adapter plates that will make a few people do a double take.

[Grubby]

Small block is cheaper than an FE.

I do want to note that many say FEs make the car nose heavy. NOT TRUE.

I just corner weighed my ERA and 49% of the weight is in the front and 51% in the rear. Based on those numbers, I doubt you would notice any difference in balance and weight driving a small block or big block car.

John

[patrickt]

Yep, on an iron block, aluminum heads, aluminum intake, aluminum flywheel, aluminum water pump, you can get the weight down nicely. But even if they were all iron, I'd still go with the FE.

[fordracing65]

SPF= small block.

[xb-60]

Surely, with an FE in a Superformance 427, you put your car ahead of the (large) ‘crowd’?

Cheers!
Glen

[Harpoon PV2]

Originally Posted by patrickt

I can't tell you how many times I've seen people look into the engine bay of a 427 style Cobra and then lament "ehhh, it's a small block."

I guarantee, 9 out of 10 times, those guys can't afford any Cobra! Cheers, Dennis

[eschaider]

I had forgotten all about this Advanced Engine Decision Tree Logic. The map will help you quickly zero in on what you really want ...

[xb-60]

I’m hapy that I mad the corct decsion