Evan
On this one--you're wrong. Whose hearsay you relying on?
The weight difference is much greater than 50 lbs and you know it (or you should--compare even the most conservative published accounts). It's certainly going to depend on the way the respective engines are outfitted, but we're talking at least 125 to 200lbs, and more importantly--right where the weight needs to be transferred from.
Your two friends cars run hotter--but you don't know why--how are they outfitted versus yours? Your example of the three of you goes against the experiences of every major manufacturer and racing venue.
An engine lives on
oil--the Shelby distributes it better--period.
Strength--find me one competitive AA/FD with 5,000hp and up worried about aluminum blowing apart vs. an iron block.
NOS iron blocks are going for within $1000 or less versus a Shelby block, and that can readily be eaten up with cleaning up the casting, etc. There's a bigger price difference between a standard 427 crank and a new billet one--at this level, price differences in those amounts are relatively irrelevant. You're right--it's gonna be a $20K to $30K motor no matter what.
Finally--using every argument you've ever posted about your car versus other makes made today--my block has a CSX number, which, though not original (course, that means an original Galaxy, Torino, Mustang, etc. motor, doesn't it--we're not exactly talking matching numbers here, are we?)--makes it a REAL Shelby Cobra motor!
There are some good reasons to use a 60's iron FE--you've got one already or you're after originality, and both are valid and good reasons. The former is going to become more rare as time goes on, making the latter more difficult to achieve--to the point of wondering whether one wants to chance driving the museum piece at levels where happiness is achieved.
