Quote:
Originally Posted by mreid
There's no replacement for displacement!
Plus, 427 is just a magic number.
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Both statements MAY be true, but for different reasons.
I agree with those who have said your intended use should help you make the decision.
If autocross and track days are a BIG part of your plans (and they do seem to be with your stated intentions to buy additional wheels/tires and a trailer), then IMHO you should look at a small block engine, the lighter the better. You don't say what block the 427 has, and that may be important. However, an all aluminum 8.2" small block will be lighter than an all aluminum 351W based small block, and when autocrossing and tracking those extra pounds from the 427 can become hard to control.
For "crusing" I think it would be hard to beat the 427, but not for the "magic number" reason. The original Shelby 427 Cobras were FE engined torque monsters, and if you really MUST have the originality and bragging rights that go with having a 427, then the Windsor based 427 will NOT give you those rights. mreid is right about the torque issue...it makes these things easier to drive in MOST situations, but keep in mind that for most of us more torque simply means more tire smoke and shorter tire life. If that's more important to you than good handling, then the Windsor based 427 would fit the ticket, even if it won't fool most of us when the hood is opened...but in my experience, you MUST learn to control the right foot, or you'll sit there in your burning-rubber induced cloud of smoke while the small
ER-block engined Cobras leave you behind...mine hooks up so well that FEW of the larger engined cars can keep up with me AT FIRST (but they all blow by me when we get up into the higher speeds, which is fine with me, I like the feeling of accelleration, not so much that
feeling of being at high speed in a car with the aerodynamics of a brick).
One idea....how about finding some of us forum members who live in your area and asking for rides? Most of us will gladly give potential owners a ride, and most of us are willing to give a spirited demonstration of how the cars can perform....you'll probably NOT get that sort of a ride from a dealer who has all sorts of issues that we owners don't necessarily have.
Cheers from Dugly
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