FE vs Coyote

[LesMurray]

With my idea of a street version, insane power (more than 400 HP) doesn't make sense for me. A really well done FE, especially a nice aluminum Pond, would be really sweet especially if I was doing an S/C or pure competition. But the cost and unused potential doesn't fit with my vision and budget.

And I have heard Coyotes really roar when you step on them. Someone had a '12 Mustang Cobra ripping up and down my street for a couple of weeks. (then suddenly nothing lol). I was at the FFR Spring get together one year and I remember a dark blue MK IV with a Coyote in the engine bay. What the owner did was basically hide all the wiring so it was a very clean look. I thought that setup looked really nice - especially when compared to the 4.6 mod motors and the 302s pulled out of old Mustangs.

However, I do agree that when you look at a well done replica and open the hood and not see a traditional motor under there it is a disappointment. That is why if I do a street 427, the 390 FE is so appealing. And the costs seem to be somewhat competative across the board - stock Coyote, mild 390, mild SBF. They all come out in the $6k - $8k range.

The biggest drawback I see with the Coyote is that most of the kit manufacturers haven't quite figured out how to make it fit. I hear stories on FFR about trying to get headers fitting, how the foot boxes are smaller, and that you basically need a shoehorn to get them in.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by LesMurray

However, I do agree that when you look at a well done replica and open the hood and not see a traditional motor under there it is a disappointment.

Yep, I have personally witnessed children break down and cry when they saw a SBF in a car touted as having a "427" in it. Now that I think about it, grown men as well.

[REAL 1]

If u want to "replicate" a Cobra the FE is the only choice.

To Patricks point..I always laugh to myself and just roll my eyes when I see a SB and the guy is telling everybody it's a 427 because its stroked to a 427.

[vector1]

Originally Posted by REAL 1

If u want to "replicate" a Cobra the FE is the only choice.

To Patricks point..I always laugh to myself and just roll my eyes when I see a SB and the guy is telling everybody it's a 427 because its stroked to a 427.

so you tell 'em you have a fe? and they say what is that? a ford edsel!

pffft, not even a big block.

The Ford FE engine is a Ford V8 engine used in vehicles sold in the North American market between 1958 and 1976. A related engine, the Ford FT engine, was used in medium and heavy trucks from 1964 through 1978. The FE filled the need for a relatively lightweight medium block engine between the small block Ford Y-block and the big block 385 series engine, to form a larger family of V8 engines than its competitors fielded.

[dallas_]

Originally Posted by LesMurray

The biggest drawback I see with the Coyote is that most of the kit manufacturers haven't quite figured out how to make it fit. I hear stories on FFR about trying to get headers fitting, how the foot boxes are smaller, and that you basically need a shoehorn to get them in.

I saw a nice Backdraft Friday in San Marcos with a Coyote motor in it. A different look, but I thought it looked really nice in there. He had some nice covers on it. It ran good and sounded good.

Reliable and good mileage to boot.

Build it the way you want.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by dallas_

... with a Coyote motor in it. A different look ... He had some nice covers on it.

Well, it's a shame he had to cover it up in order for it to look good.

[blykins]

Do Cobra owners worry about gas mileage? That was always the last thing in my mind when buying a weekend toy.

I think that if you broke down the costs of buying an FE or SBF vs the cost of a Coyote, supporting hardware, and the cost to fit the engine in the car, I really don't see the advantages. Another con is that when you get used to the 412hp, where do you go for an upgrade? Superchargers aren't cheap. You could change the cams, but the VVT engines have phasers which need to be worked around.

What happens when you need to work on it?

Don't get me wrong, I build Modular Fords too and I have respect for them in the right application...

[Great Asp]

Just for a cruiser and if the OP doesn't care about a more period correct looking engine, I'd say the Coyote motor. No carb, no issues.

If he gets tired of that, build a new Cobra.

E

[Luce]

You all can fame on, I have an EFI 427W. I prefer to say I built what Shelby WOULD have, if he built it in 2010. EFI lets the nasty cam be nasty, but not stall.

But one requirement for me would be the air goes in the top of the engine after entering the hood scoop! That's what the hood scoop is there for. If you put a coyote in there, you need to modify the scoop to be just a bulge, and add one of those funky triangle airplane scoops on a fender or something.

Some go replica, some go restomod. Just don't mix them too much.

[olddog]

Originally Posted by blykins

Do Cobra owners worry about gas mileage? That was always the last thing in my mind when buying a weekend toy.

In this economy, hell yes it matters! At least to some of us.

Since I purchased the Cobra:
My company cut all overtime and cut awards - I lost $20K/yr income.
Gasoline has doubled. All my energy cost are up.
Insurance rates up 50%.
Food cost up 30%.
All my benefit costs went up.
The school divided the voters and got a 1% tax on earned income.

I used to have $1000 per month of expendable income to do as I pleased. I no longer can fund my IRA and I look for ways to cut my monthly bills by $20. I have absolutely let the Cobra sit because I didn't have the cash to fill up the tank.

All numbers is based on emotional feelings and are not to be relied on for any valid economic analysis.

[fordracing65]

Originally Posted by olddog

In this economy, hell yes it matters! At least to some of us.

Since I purchased the Cobra:
My company cut all overtime and cut awards - I lost $20K/yr income.
Gasoline has doubled. All my energy cost are up.
Insurance rates up 50%.
Food cost up 30%.
All my benefit costs went up.
The school divided the voters and got a 1% tax on earned income.

I used to have $1000 per month of expendable income to do as I pleased. I no longer can fund my IRA and I look for ways to cut my monthly bills by $20. I have absolutely let the Cobra sit because I didn't have the cash to fill up the tank.

All numbers is based on emotional feelings and are not to be relied on for any valid economic analysis.

You could sell your engine in your car, get a Honda Civic motor with a little turbo charger on it, probably come out ahead in money, get better gas mileage, and with the weight of these cars still have one fun ride, but I doubt your going to do it..

[olddog]

Originally Posted by fordracing65

You could sell your engine in your car, get a Honda Civic motor with a little turbo charger on it, probably come out ahead in money, get better gas mileage, and with the weight of these cars still have one fun ride, but I doubt your going to do it..

Your correct. It will stay.

I hate to whine about my situation when I have had a good life and still have it better than most.

I just get a little annoyed when people argue fuel consumption doesn't matter and it shouldn't be a consideration. Some have stated (in other threads) if your budget is that tight you cannot afford a Cobra. Although both of these points of view may in fact have a lot of truth in them, it seems cruel and heartless to those who are in that situation.

No harm no foul. Still like everyone.