small block vs. big block in a cobra

[Tony Aprile]

I have a 460 in mine and have street driven quite a few small blocks with the most powerful being Roush 427R's.
The big block will give you plenty of low end torque, to the point where you could drive in high gear down to below 2000 rpms in traffic, the stroker small blocks definately make the power up top but do not like slow cruising in high gear. Not really a big deal..just an observation.
The sound of a big block will be a bit deeper in sound...depending on the engine..... Todays small blocks can run with the big blocks, there's no suprise there. Im sure a new SB Roush 427 can hold it's own aginst a mild 427FE or 460, but when you open the hood and see the Big Block ...there is no comparison.

Tony

[madmaxx]

Big blocks making 600 plus hp, bottom line if I do not see a dyno report, it has about 350 hp at the rear wheels. I get so tired of hearing "my mechanic said it about 575hp" then when the dyno it is about 325hp. I had a 502 in my old caddilac eldo, or 8.2liter and it was the biggest dog on the planet. I have seen 302's that put out as much as a mismatched 460 and you save 200 lbs of weight. As long as you have 427 cubic inches I do not care big block or small block, it is a SC427 so it should have a 427.

[danc30]

Originally Posted by madmaxx

Big blocks making 600 plus hp, bottom line if I do not see a dyno report, it has about 350 hp at the rear wheels. I get so tired of hearing "my mechanic said it about 575hp" then when the dyno it is about 325hp. As long as you have 427 cubic inches I do not care big block or small block, it is a SC427 so it should have a 427.

You must have a small block.....

[fsstnotch]

How about we do a honda 4 banger?

[tmareina]

I have a BB...nothing like it...performance is outstanding..sound is exceptional..sets off alarms as you drive by...and mine is set back about 3 inches or so and it makes a big difference in handeling...and, heaven forbid...you should want to sell it...you will get more for you car with the big block. In the end, however....it is what makes you happy...you have to live with it.

Tom

[undy]

I have always longed for a high-winding moostang 302 donor ... but ....I'm stuck with this darn Kieth Craft 482" Pond aluminum side oiler.. I guess some things were just not meant to be..

[Nantucket427]

I remeber when we use to debate this question but it was limited to one day a week or we would use up all the space on the site.
My only comment is; "to each his own"

Go to London, Ohio this Spring and count how many cars have the 427 emblem on the side of there cars. Not to many say 351 or 289 as a matter of fact the 289 guys usually don't put anything on the side of there cars.

Some people just can't handle a big block.

[mcwho]

Has anyone found the stats on Carroll Shelby's Cobra wins.

How many races were won by small block Cobras vs Big Block Cobras.

Over the years I have read somewhere that most of the early races were won using the small block Cobras. And the Cobras with the V=Big Blocks were heavily modified as I understand.

Anyone have the REAL Numbers ???

[KevinW]

so are as i am aware, it was the small block cars that won at international events. But these were virtually all Ace/289 type bodies.

Happy to be corrected.

[cycleguy55]

Originally Posted by mcwho

Has anyone found the stats on Carroll Shelby's Cobra wins.

How many races were won by small block Cobras vs Big Block Cobras.

Over the years I have read somewhere that most of the early races were won using the small block Cobras. And the Cobras with the V=Big Blocks were heavily modified as I understand.

Anyone have the REAL Numbers ???

I believe you're correct in that most Cobra victories came with small-block cars, but it wasn't that the big-block cars weren't as good as the small-block cars - the racing landscape changed as well

[SPF2245]

My .02, I got the chance to drive a big block...it's everything everyone said it was. Great sound, power fall off in the upper RPMs and too much low end power for the tires to stand a chance. I then drove a small block stroker and found the upper power band was more usable while the lower tq off idle allowed for more chance to put the power to the ground. End result, I've got a stroker small block. Is it the end all...no way, I could use another 50-75HP so 4th gear would be as exciting as the first three.

-Dan

[madmaxx]

danc30,
I do not have anything right now although I am slated for a Roush 427. I did intentionally pass up on two SPF's with 460's that were substantially less cost. If I wanted a trunk engine I would buy a truck. If I wanted an engine that overheated on a regular basis I would get a BB, if I wanted to plow into every turn I would get a BB, if I wanted to scrape every speed bump I would get a BB.

[Tony Aprile]

Originally Posted by madmaxx

danc30,
I do not have anything right now

That pretty much tells it all !!!

[Stentor]

Originally Posted by madmaxx

danc30,
I do not have anything right now although I am slated for a Roush 427. I did intentionally pass up on two SPF's with 460's that were substantially less cost. If I wanted a trunk engine I would buy a truck. If I wanted an engine that overheated on a regular basis I would get a BB, if I wanted to plow into every turn I would get a BB, if I wanted to scrape every speed bump I would get a BB.

You are already going to pay a decent amount of coin for the Roush small block. Why not fork out a bit more dough and get an aluminum FE?

Then you can have the best of both worlds.

[ZOERA-SC7XX]

To each his own, but as far as I'm concerned, size matters.

[boyd henderson]

thanks for all the input ,i guess i will be happy with either.you cant make a bad choice,it will still be a cobra,i'll probably bo big.

[fkemmerer]

There's no replacement for displacement. 482ci Ford FE.

[wetdog]

I bet if mr Shelby had what we do today in 1966 he go with a small block , only the Minnow needs that boat anchor in the front.

[1Cobrat]

This really is a personal choice. I have always imagined a big block in a cobra. Just my preference and I've always been a small block guy. I've seen plenty of small and big blocks, they each have pros and cons depending on what you are looking for in a car. I wanted an earth rumbling, head jerking, engine compartment filling big motor. However, a fuel injected 5.0L that gets 20mpg has appeal as well. I haven't heard that saying in years, "There's no replacement for displacement" I love it. . . . Good luck deciding.

[BossCER]

Just broke my aluminum drive shaft in half
A nice little small block is sounding better at the moment