Big block or small block?

[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?
----

[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.)

[Dumpling]

why not do the first eco-boost 4 or 6 cylinder install?

that would be in keeping with the true spirit of the original which was the AC Ace with more power. last century, the only way to get an appreciable boost in power was with a v8...not true anymore. so instead of shoehorning more cylinders and bore into what really is a tiny car, why not put a size-appropriate yet still power-unreasonable engine in it?

[Silverback51]

Originally Posted by patrickt

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.

I hate it when I have to agree with you Patrick.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Silverback51

I hate it when I have to agree with you Patrick.

Yes, I know it does. But as bright as you are it inevitably happens from time to time.

[RACER X #99]

Originally Posted by patrickt

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.)

Actually that's not true. Since you are a newbie here (you have only been here since 2005) you know nothing about the big vs small battles that went on years back. You'll have to do a little research and see if you can talk to the guys who started posting here back in the day when this site was composed of hobbyist who actually built their own replicas with their own hands.
It all depend on what you want out of your Cobra. Do you want oohs and aahs at the car show or do you want guys at the road course coming up to you and asking what kind of power do you have. (remember first off Cobras are road race cars not drag cars)
Do a little research and then come back with all the answers.

[Dwight]

if you have the money buy the FE, 427 or the 428 cost about $14,000 up.

if you don't have that much money then spend $9,000 on a 408 stroker 530 hp 540 tq.

I build my small block 302 stroker and spend maybe $8,000. I make 400 at the rear wheel with 52% weight on the rear.

Now if I had the money when I started my build and know what I know now, BIG BLOCK.
I have a couple of buddies with 427's & 428 strokers with over 600 flywheel hp. I have driven their Cobras and love them. I think in the quarter i can keep up with them, very close. We tried each other at the lights before and they do not pull away from me.
So I think there is a point of no return on horsepower vs Cobra.

One of the first post I read in this thread suggested you buy the motor you want and spend the money on tires and suspension. I agree whole hearty.

Now if you are the type of person who cares what others think about your Cobra motor, then you must buy the 427 FE big block motor with a lot of hp. The 351W will not do.
You will not be happy if you don't.

I have people at car shows that love my car till they ask what motor and then give a none approving comment and walk away. (hood up and they are looking at a fuel injected 302). I bet they drove to the show in a beat up Honda.

I was sitting at a red light one day and the guy in the car next to me ask what motor and I told him a small block. He made some comment like "oh just a small block". I left the light in a cloud of smoke. At the next light his comments where more positive. He was in a beautiful 55 Chev.
They have ask what motor while I'm at the red light and I ask what does it sound like, every time they say "big block". Which proves they don't know hit about Cobras and Cobra motors. Well maybe the 600 lift cam and 3" Classic sidepipes throw them off a little.

Buy what you want and drive the wheels off of it.

We care what they think but you can not please them all.
Most of the comments are very positive but every now and then you will get a expert that will make you laugh out loud.

Dwight

P.S. Some of the 427's in our group, I can pass anytime I want to. So if you go big block you better buy some good speed parts and have someone build it that knows how to get hp out of a Ford FE, cause not all motors are created equal.
Come on over and we'll give you a ride in several different Cobras. Then you can decide.
Dwight

[Dwight]

"Boy, I sure wish I had put a small block in my SC."

Dwight