Big block or small block?

[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