Big block or small block?

[ERA Chas]

Originally Posted by RACER X #99

...but over the last twenty + years it has been pretty much established that car show guys and guys who like to do burnouts prefer FE's and guys who road race prefer small blocks.

Cup motors are cool. Although I largely agree there are notable exceptions-as you know.
Don Durner, Morris and CSX 3170 are FE road warriors.
Rodameister terrorized with a small block.

[RACER X #99]

Originally Posted by ERA Chas

Cup motors are cool. Although I largely agree there are notable exceptions-as you know.
Don Durner, Morris and CSX 3170 are FE road warriors.
Rodameister terrorized with a small block.

I did the open track Club Cranky traveling road show with Don Durner and Joe Rodomista along with Hank Dondero, Terry Shank and Mustang driver John Mc Mahon. Yes Don was an exception with his FE but Don was a pretty good driver as well as Joe, Hank and Terry in Small block Cobras. We were the only group to get uninvited to a track event run by a certain brand of replica.
Those were the good olde days.

[Dimis]

Originally Posted by RACER X #99

I know your just another newbie here but over the last twenty + years it has been pretty much established that... ...nobody is going to pass you on any road course.

Oh dear...!
It sounds like you've might not have learnt much in 20+ years...
Tyres (or tires) & aero dynamics will do more to win you races than engines


I'd hazzard a guess that a 4-cyl clubman or lotus with about 300hp would run away from your 800hp sb cobra on just about any track

All things being eqaul an FE in a cobra is a better "replica" unless it's a 289 or FIA. That said, I'm not advocating that a FE is a better engine, but I know that given the choice - I'd go FE.

The SB crowd make me laugh, they're so hypocritical. They're the first to slag off the BB guys, justyfing their choice by claiming it's lighter, faster, better. Yet are up in arms when you tell them there's a chevy (Toyota, or other) under the hood. I got news for those clowns - If it ain't FE, it's the wrong recipe. So you may as well go ls7, lsx, or ford mod motors or even european motors and at least "replicate" Shelby's concept of auto-evolution.

Now the problem with that, is technology advances and then you left wondering! Go FE if you can and never look back, it's what belongs in a 427 SC if you want to "replicate" the car properly!



PIN PULLED

[RACER X #99]

Originally Posted by Dimis

Oh dear...!
It sounds like you've might not have learnt much in 20+ years...
Tyres (or tires) & aero dynamics will do more to win you races than engines


I'd hazzard a guess that a 4-cyl clubman or lotus with about 300hp would run away from your 800hp sb cobra on just about any track

All things being eqaul an FE in a cobra is a better "replica" unless it's a 289 or FIA. That said, I'm not advocating that a FE is a better engine, but I know that given the choice - I'd go FE.

The SB crowd make me laugh, they're so hypocritical. They're the first to slag off the BB guys, justyfing their choice by claiming it's lighter, faster, better. Yet are up in arms when you tell them there's a chevy (Toyota, or other) under the hood. I got news for those clowns - If it ain't FE, it's the wrong recipe. So you may as well go ls7, lsx, or ford mod motors or even european motors and at least "replicate" Shelby's concept of auto-evolution.

Now the problem with that, is technology advances and then you left wondering! Go FE if you can and never look back, it's what belongs in a 427 SC if you want to "replicate" the car properly!



PIN PULLED

Tell me about the Lotus Ive been on the track with those Catterhams.

[garyjettrike]

big block bigger the better

[ZOERA-SC7XX]

FE's (and toploaders) are the great link to the old original big block Cobras that I try to emulate with my car. My Cobra may not be real, but my 428 FE and CR toploader is. That's all I need. It's a blast to drive (even when it's cold outside). If I had an FIA Cobra (or a slabside), I'd have a 289 with the same toploader for the same reasons. Doesn't need gobs of horsepower, just lots of street torque, which it does have. Maybe the body/frame configuration is recent, but the drivetrain is 1966 vintage. A few oil drips don't bother me either. Give me the old school for this car. This ain't no Miata.
With that said, everyone is entitled to their own reasons for their build, and that's what makes the world go 'round. I have no disrespect for Chevy powered (or any other) Cobras. If your shoes fit, wear 'em.

[krkucin]

Originally Posted by ZOERA-SC7XX

FE's (and toploaders) are the great link to the old original big block Cobras that I try to emulate with my car. My Cobra may not be real, but my 428 FE and CR toploader is. That's all I need. It's a blast to drive (even when it's cold outside). If I had an FIA Cobra (or a slabside), I'd have a 289 with the same toploader for the same reasons. Doesn't need gobs of horsepower, just lots of street torque, which it does have. Maybe the body/frame configuration is recent, but the drivetrain is 1966 vintage. A few oil drips don't bother me either. Give me the old school for this car. This ain't no Miata.
With that said, everyone is entitled to their own reasons for their build, and that's what makes the world go 'round. I have no disrespect for Chevy powered (or any other) Cobras. If your shoes fit, wear 'em.

This says it all right here. I am going to stick with my gut and go with a BB. Thanks for all the replies, this was quite entertaining.

[olddog]

Originally Posted by krkucin

This says it all right here. I am going to stick with my gut and go with a BB. Thanks for all the replies, this was quite entertaining.

I have always like big blocks, but I am a realist. There is a lot to love about a FE in a Cobra.

Look at Keith Craft's web site to get an idea what a well built FE is going to cost you. Then decide if a 390 (maybe stroked) will suit you or will you need to go with a 428 or 427 to be happy. Maybe you want a big inch stroker (482 or more)? Do you want an original block or will you plunk down the bucks for a new block?

You still have a lot more decisions to make on your engine.

[ZOERA-SC7XX]

I myself could not justify the cost of a well built 427 side-oiler or aluminum block 427 FE (Maybe someday). That extra cost is fine if cost is no object, but I like other things in my garage as well, and the 428 does the job well (several originals were produced with 428's). A 390 with the Scat stroker kit also makes sense, and goes about 430 CU. IN. Not too shabby, if I say so myself. Most of us have limitations, but every one of us who has built or bought a Cobra stretched normal limitations just by doing this. I think we are all a cut above the norm.

[Silverback51]

Originally Posted by ZOERA-SC7XX

I myself could not justify the cost of a well built 427 side-oiler or aluminum block 427 FE (Maybe someday). That extra cost is fine if cost is no object, but I like other things in my garage as well, and the 428 does the job well (several originals were produced with 428's). A 390 with the Scat stroker kit also makes sense, and goes about 430 CU. IN. Not too shabby, if I say so myself. Most of us have limitations, but every one of us who has built or bought a Cobra stretched normal limitations just by doing this. I think we are all a cut above the norm.

If I remember correctly, there were more 428 Cobra's produced than 427's.