Engine Info for New Member - Page 2

patrickt · #1 (**permalink**) 09-07-2010, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FredBMOC

Hey,
I might take you up on that offer

Regarding POS SBF

The engine of choice would be something like a 351W correct?
Regarding the different engine builders such as Roush, Lykins, Keith Craft what is the difference between them?
Sorry about so many questions but I have never owned an american muscle car; my thing was always for European cars.

Yes, but they're stroked out now so they are well above 400 cubes. Power-wise, they'll make as much, or more, than my FE. The three builders you named all make very nice engines, and all will do well for you. Roush has a world wide reputation, KC has a mostly national reputation, and Lykins has a "local" reputation. You will pay accordingly, for the most part.

dcdoug · #2 (**permalink**) 09-07-2010, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patrickt

Agreed. In fact, I'm almost tempted to throw a couple of grand in to the kitty just to get the damn thing sold so he'll quit bugging us with it.

His FE is about as cool as you will ever find for a car under $50k.

olddog · #3 (**permalink**) 09-07-2010, 03:29 PM

The FE engines - 390, 427, & 428 (a few other, but are scarce) were built in the 50's and 60's with 390 continuing into trucks through the 70's. They are heavy iron engines. There were about 4 versions of heads with different heights. The 427 & 428 are the engines that originally came in the Cobra. Stroker combinations are commonly up to 482 cid and bigger can be done. They are capable of great power, but they are a complicated design. They are costly to build (50% more), and prone to quite a few problems. Oil leaks being one of them.

The 385 series big blocks are 429 & 460 and can be stroked to well over 500 cid. This engine easy to make huge power at low costs. They are huge physical size. They can be put into a Cobra and are, but it is a very tight fit.

Ford made a 351 Cleveland. The 4V was the beast in its day. They were not made very long and are hard to find. Not as many after market parts available. People still use them in Cobra builds.

The 351 Windsor based engine can be stroke to ~ 408 cid and if you go with an after market block with a 4.125 in bore, it can be built with 427 cid. If you bore that block to the max you can get to 460 cid. By the time you get this built with the hug cid your into the FE price range. Stay at 392 cid and the price can be amazingly low.

The 5.0 ltr popular in the mustangs 80's up until 95 can be stroked to 331 & 347 cid. It is the least expensive to build. It is extremely light weighing at 400 lb in all cast iron from the factory. It is about half the weight of the big blocks. The block is the weakest and has been known to split, when pushed over ~500 hp give or take. The engine is quite tiny in physical size.

Any of these engines can be built many ways. There are a dozen or more aluminum heads made for most of these engines. Same with intake manifolds. Lots of stroker combinations available. You can use a factory block or an after market block (aluminum or cast iron). Aluminum is about double the price of cast iron.

Aluminum is light and easy to machine. It conducts heat very well. It has 4 times the thermal expansion as cast iron. It slowly creeps over time. There are many hardening techniques to overcome its stability problems. It requires much more skill to make quality parts from aluminum. The physically bigger the engine the more problems with thermal expansion issues.

In normally aspirated engines with good flowing heads about 1.25 to 1.3 lb-ft of torque per cubic inch is about the upper limit with 2 valves per cylinder for a street engine. The cam design will dictate where in the rpm range the torque will be made.

This is a very rough guide and the combinations of parts is just about endless. It is impossible to give you an exact answer. You need to be thinking about reliability. How much under the hood work you are willing and able to do? How big of a cam will you be happy to drive?

209 · #4 (**permalink**) 09-07-2010, 03:41 PM

Look up Keith Craft and decide what you want. He builds them all. OldDog sez it all. 209

dcdoug · #5 (**permalink**) 09-07-2010, 03:59 PM

He is looking at buying a used cobra with an engine in it already. He is just trying to get a feel for the best cobra/engine combo that fits his budget.

mkassab · #6 (**permalink**) 09-07-2010, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FredBMOC

Hi everyone!
I have been reading through the forum for the past few days about the different manufacturers, engines, options, etc ;however I would still like some clarification as far as all the different engine options available for Cobras from 427s to modern FI Aluminum engines. Pros and Cons of each? I tried to find an FAQ or sticky with all of this info summarized but simply could not find it.

Thanks,

Fred in Florida

Fred.... when you have 30 min's.... call Brent Lykins, B2 Motorsports.... @ 502-759-7431. He built my engine (I also bought my TKO trans, clutch, etc from Brent). One of the best decisions I ever made. Brent will spend the time with you.... lots of Q&A and make several recommendations depending on what you want to do with the car. Check my build site for more info... http://www.uniquecobra.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=68 He knows his “stuff” and is not biased in any way (except he hates GM engines

), and is very passionate about what he does. He spent countless hours with me over the build period. Can’t put a value on customer service like that!!

Mark

Excaliber · #7 (**permalink**) 09-07-2010, 05:17 PM

I find myself hesitant when it comes to a Roush engine. Basically I worry about how much more I might be paying for the "name". I want a good engine first, and a good name second, either way at a fair price.

My personal first choice would be Gessford Machine, George keeps a low profile around here but it's pretty clear to those who have been around Cobras for awhile, he's right up there with the best of the builders in all regards.

Rather than Roush, or just about any "brand name" (like Shelby) I'll spend my dollars within our little community of Cobra folks. In no particular order that would be folks like Blykins, KC, Gessford a few others.

FredBMOC · #8 (**permalink**) 09-07-2010, 05:43 PM

Wow,
Some excellent answers! Thank you all so much for taking the time.
This information is exactly what I was trying to learn and understand. I'll refer back to this thread as I look at different used cars for sale out there.
It has been extremely enlightening; Thank You once again! right

mdross1 · #9 (**permalink**) 09-14-2010, 04:09 AM

Confused? We all have our preferences,mine at first was a Cammer,wow expensive! next was a Boss 429,Huge motor.Next was an FE 427,a little old.since I had a kit went with 385 series 460.Looks good,runs great,fits right,plenty of spare motors(have one in shop) It's all about what floats your boat.Good Luck

FredBMOC · #10 (**permalink**) 09-14-2010, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdross1

Confused? We all have our preferences,mine at first was a Cammer,wow expensive! next was a Boss 429,Huge motor.Next was an FE 427,a little old.since I had a kit went with 385 series 460.Looks good,runs great,fits right,plenty of spare motors(have one in shop) It's all about what floats your boat.Good Luck

mdross1,
This is my first Cobra and also first high powered ford so I wanted reliability first; maybe I'll go for something with more guts next time

209 · #11 (**permalink**) 09-14-2010, 08:10 AM

Congrats, Fred! We're sure you'll be happy. First impressions? 209

FredBMOC · #12 (**permalink**) 09-14-2010, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 209

Congrats, Fred! We're sure you'll be happy. First impressions? 209

209,

I bought it last Friday but won't pick it up till this coming Friday

Reg from Backdraft wanted to put some more miles on the car before letting me have it to find ( and fix) some of the bugs plus I asked for a few upgrades

I'll take pictures and post impressions next week after I've had a chnace to drive it some. So far all I did was to take it for a test drive and got baptized by it : managed to burn my leg pretty badly whilst getting out of the passanger side

A good lesson to learn before letting my wife and daughter ride shotgun with me....

Fred

209 · #13 (**permalink**) 09-14-2010, 04:34 PM

Fred,
Go buy a section of welding blanket called 'velvet shield'. Cut it to length then fold between seat and cab then instruct wife to use it. A 2' by 2' piece is perfect. Life is easier when said wife is happy and unbitten. Cliff

FredBMOC · #14 (**permalink**) 09-14-2010, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 209

Fred,
Go buy a section of welding blanket called 'velvet shield'. Cut it to length then fold between seat and cab then instruct wife to use it. A 2' by 2' piece is perfect. Life is easier when said wife is happy and unbitten. Cliff

Ahh, I knew someone here would have a great idea on how to prevent this from happening to others! I'll get the velvet shield for sure.
Should I somehow "mount it " or attach it or just leave it loose? Should I put a cobra emblem on it so it looks like it's standard equipment?

Thanks agin!

Fred