Best Cobra engine?

[ByronRACE]

-Aluminum heads or iron?

Aluminum; big block guys get enough crap about weight...everyone wants aluminum heads.

-429, 460, 514, 521?

All of the above, and add combos for the 4.3 and 4.5" steel stroke cranks. I think you'll find that penis envy abounds and most folks will want "at least" a 514 since the motorsport crate has gotten so much press. That said, you could probably sell a "427" based 385 and make a lot of pseudo-purists happy. Even though it's the wrong engine (not an FE), having the correct CI is enough for some people. I know it doesn't make sense, but you wouldn't believe how many 385's I've seen with 427 badges on the valve covers. I'd do a small/medium/large approach. 427/9, 514, and 545. Offer forged steel cranks and forged pistons / good rods / 4-bolt mains / block fill, as an option for serious race oriented folks.

-Does idle quality/vacuum play a role for you guys?

Yes and no. Most cobras use vacuum brake boosters; so yes. The early ones were manual, so no. The newest developments are hydraboost...so no.

-Flat tappet or roller cam?

Considering the problems people have had with flat tappet wear and break-in, I'd offer roller as an option.

-Hydrualic or solid tappets?

From what I can tell, it's a rarity to find someone that cares about 6000+ rpm in a big block cobra. Solid would be an option for race oriented folks.

-Price point?

Most cobra guys prefer "right" over "cheap". If you're spending $40,000+ for a roller (sans engine and trans), you don't care much about saving $1000 on the engine.

-Manifold hieght?

Anything taller than a blue thunder dual-quad won't fit most cars unless you go EFI and do something like I did...which is unpopular. My car is considered an abortion to purists. Which brings me to a suggestion. Offer EFI as an option, turn-key.

-Aluminum water pump or iron?

Most people dont' know the difference, or don't care. For those that do, offer it as an option.

-Oil pan included? (if so, what type?)

Depends on car. Some cars can run full sumps, some can only run rear sump.

If you wanted to build just one engine and capture most peoples imagination, and want to do it budget oriented...I think I'd consider a 545 with a cast crank and reasonable h-beam rods, hypers, and hydraulic flat cam. That said, offer a deluxe version with forged crank, forged pistons, and hydraulic roller cam and I think you'll find most cobra guys will spring for the better parts. 545 stops all the arguments about which displacement is better. Compare dyno graphs.

[CarsByCarl]

Originally Posted by ByronRACE

-Most cobra guys prefer "right" over "cheap". If you're spending $40,000+ for a roller (sans engine and trans), you don't care much about saving $1000 on the engine.

If you wanted to build just one engine and capture most peoples imagination, and want to do it budget oriented...I think I'd consider a 545 with a cast crank and reasonable h-beam rods, hypers, and hydraulic flat cam. That said, offer a deluxe version with forged crank, forged pistons, and hydraulic roller cam and I think you'll find most cobra guys will spring for the better parts. 545 stops all the arguments about which displacement is better. Compare dyno graphs.

I think you make some very good points here. The 545 with a hyd roller would be a nice engine. Just off the top of my head, I think my pricepoint would have to be around $6K. Still more cost effective than the FMS crate, but more cubes and more durable.

My logic with the 429 was based on Ford's soon to be released 514FT "cobra" crate engine. It's thier basic 514 shortblock with SCJ heads, a Torker II intake, and the same flat tappet cam they use in the 460 crate engine. I hear that they haven't finished testing it yet, so there aren't any power figures that have been published but I estimate 575lb/ft and and 505hp. A little more torque and less hp than the 460 crate engine, with a lower rpm band. Pricing is supposed to be around $7000.00 I'm not really seeing Ford's logic with that new engine.

[mdross1]

Always like to check in with big inch like minded Cobra owners.My aluminum head,hyd flat tappet,1000 cfm dbl pump 560hp ,460 inch has been a treat.Have a spare 460 sitting in the shop and always thought one day would throw in a big arm and get it out to at least 521" BUT! would it be enough? Honestly enjoy the car 99% of the time.What gets me thinking about the 500+inch arena is the rollons and just hammering it out on the highway where big inch really shines.Don't want so much torque that have to be wary of it in that situation.
So,I need to lean on you enthusiasts that have these big guns powering your Cobra's.
Not concerned about having too much cornering,just want to be able to hammer it at speed and stay somewhat hooked to the asphalt.Anybody willing to chime in and give me examples?
My car has been scaled and the diff also at 4 degrees positive,it hooks good off the line and stays very straight.
Mike Ross

[mdross1]

At first looked into a Cammer (wow big dollars) then Boss (another wow) then FE (was talked out of it) old technology.
Built a .030 over 460 blueprinted,balanced
Aluminum heads, ported polished
Lunati flat tappet,roller rockers
Edlebrock Performer port matched
Davinci 1000cfm Holley dbl pmp
Malloy Unilite
Aluminum flywheel
11" Diaphram clutch balanced with flywheel.
525hp enough torque to rotate the earth.
Our car has Tremec TKO,Strange aluminum center section with 3:73 gear.Coil-overs all around,Chrome moly all adjustable suspension,scaled with 12" Wilwood Ultralites and dual masters.Car was setup to road race.For us it was big block or nothing,love the Wow factor when opening the hood for people.