[bobcowan]

They're both great engines. And the you won't go wrong with either one.

But, they are very differant engines, and fill a couple of differant roles. They both have their ups and downs. Power and performance levels between the two engines will be very close to the same. They can both be built to do pretty much whatever you want.

The Windsor motors are certainly cheaper, and parts for them are everywhere. Parts for the FE motors have become easier to find in recent years. But they are not cheap. You'll spend a lot more money building a race ready FE compared to a Windsor.

The 351W is slightly larger (taller and wider) than the 302W, so it's a little harder to work on. The FE is considerably larger than the 351W. But that engine bay doesn't get any bigger. On some cars, that's a real issue.

The FE certainly weighs more than a comparable Windsor. You can sill get the FE motored car to handle and brake well; but don't expect to win any races that involve turning. If you're building a fun street car, the weight becomes a non-issue.

There are a lot of engines that fit and work well in a Cobra. There are only two that look exactly right. If that's what you're after - the exact "right" look - the 351W is out.

But, that's just my opinion. I could be wrong.