Big block or small block?

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by krkucin

Still shopping for a Cobra Replica. I think I have narrowed down the manufacturer, but still having trouble deciding on a motor. My initial thought was to go with a 427 or 428 FE motor to stay close to original. Superformance recommends going with a 351 for weight distribution reasons. Help! Any advice from current owners is much appreciated.

Yes, you can get just as much usable power from a SB. Yes, the SB will be cheaper. Yes, the SB will be lighter. BUT, with aluminum heads, intake, water pump, etc. you can get your iron block FE down to within 50 lbs. of an original SB, but more importantly, the fact that you've even thought about the accuracy of an FE in your Cobra tells me you will never truly be satisfied with a SB. It's only a question of time before you're parked somewhere with your hood up and a kid walks up to it all excited and then says "Awww man, it's got a small block in it" and then walks away shaking his head.... You'll be kicking yourself when that happens.

[AL427SBF]

Originally Posted by patrickt

Yes, you can get just as much usable power from a SB. Yes, the SB will be cheaper. Yes, the SB will be lighter. BUT, with aluminum heads, intake, water pump, etc. you can get your iron block FE down to within 50 lbs. of an original SB, but more importantly, the fact that you've even thought about the accuracy of an FE in your Cobra tells me you will never truly be satisfied with a SB. It's only a question of time before you're parked somewhere with your hood up and a kid walks up to it all excited and then says "Awww man, it's got a small block in it" and then walks away shaking his head.... You'll be kicking yourself when that happens.

Total nonsense patrickt, sounds like a lame response from a guy who wishes he went SB after the fact

Superformance knows what they are talking about, you my friend don't.
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[patrickt]

Originally Posted by AL427SBF

Superformance knows what they are talking about...

If that were true they'd fix their radiator and pedal orientation, for starters....

[JBCOBRA]

I hope your New Years Resolution is to Stop Being Such a Dick

Originally Posted by patrickt

If that were true they'd fix their radiator and pedal orientation, for starters....

[lamaluv]

Originally Posted by JBCOBRA

I hope your New Years Resolution is to Stop Being Such a Dick

JB unlike Patrick I will always be a Dick except when I'm a Richard or sometimes a Rick.

[JBCOBRA]

Originally Posted by lamaluv

JB unlike Patrick I will always be a Dick except when I'm a Richard or sometimes a Rick.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by JBCOBRA

I hope your New Years Resolution is to Stop Being Such a Dick

Now was that really necessary on Christmas Eve of all days? I simply write what everyone else is thinking, but out of political correctness, or fear of hurting someone's feelings, chooses not to.

[AL427SBF]

Originally Posted by patrickt

Now was that really necessary on Christmas Eve of all days? I simply write what everyone else is thinking, but out of political correctness, or fear of hurting someone's feelings, chooses not to.

Long response ...
I simply write what everyone else is thinking ...
Like you really have a clue on what everyone else is thinking? Apparently not by the responses you are getting, hopefully you will learn from this foolish naivety on your part.

Short response ...
patrickt, is it really necessary for you to be such a dick on Christmas Eve?
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[patrickt]

Originally Posted by AL427SBF

I simply write what everyone else is thinking ...

Yes, everyone in the entire world, except members of the discrete class belonging to whatever it is that I happen to criticize in that particular post.

And to the OP, you might search this entire board for a single post saying "Boy, I sure wish I had put a small block in my SC." You won't find it. (Of course, if you're building a FIA, that's completely different... but the fact that you were even talking about an FE tells me that's not the case.)

[lamaluv]

Get whatever YOU want. It shouldn't make any difference what other people think, it's your car and money. That being said the only way I would have a SB in a Cobra would be in a FIA car.

Dick

[CobraV8]

Originally Posted by patrickt

It's only a question of time before you're parked somewhere with your hood up and a kid walks up to it all excited and then says "Awww man, it's got a small block in it" and then walks away shaking his head.... You'll be kicking yourself when that happens.

I'd say this depends on whether you need your car to show off or you rather don't give a **** what others might think about the way you handle things

If you're of the first kind you need a 427 sideoiler in a 427 bodystyle car and a HP 289 in a 289 car.

If you're of the second kind just choose any engine you want for whatever reasons. Aluminium block/head FEs can achieve small block weights, and 100cui 4 cylinder engines can be turbocharged to 1000hp and more, so it really doesn't matter in terms of weight and power.

The only true point is that some of us are not in the happy position of beeing born with golden spoons shoved up their asses and a Windsor stroked to 408cui for example will cost considerably less than a 482 all aluminum FE. However you know best what you can and can't afford, so the decision is all yours.

No idea why this funny argument never ends


Merry Christmas to all of you anyways!

Simon