Thread: FE vs. 385....
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Old 10-06-2006, 04:46 AM
Anthony Anthony is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fordracer
Originality aside, which engine will ultimately make more power??? Given relatively identical sizes,485cu. in. FE and a 499cu. in. 385.
With an engine built to low or medium performance, I would not think there would that much difference, although the larger the engine, the more it needs to breathe, which would favor the 385 generally speaking as it's heads in general flow better. You can get FE heads to flow very good as well, but maybe not to the potential of 385, especially the aftermarket 385 heads. The FE may be best suited for medium displacement engines, 350-450 ci.

For all out competition, the 385 with it's canted valve heads, copied from Big Block Chevy's, is going to out breathe the FE at high rpms.

The FE is a narrower engine, and also a lighter one, that is block weight. A BBC block is also very heavy, like a 385 block.

For a cobra, I think it's not really about all out competition, but what really do you want, a stroked FE or a stroked 385?


Quote:
Originally Posted by fordracer
. I would think that the 385 would outperform the FE just because of the advancements in technology since the FE. ...
There has also been alot of advancements since the 385 was designed.
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Last edited by Anthony; 10-06-2006 at 04:49 AM..
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