588R big block

[Tom Kirkham]

Jason,

I wrote:

Originally Posted by Tom Kirkham

385 engines are heavy.
If handling means anything to you then,
I would be inclined to go with an all aluminum small block.
Small blocks also have a lower center of gravity...

and you chastise me, for being an FE lover and a 385 hater.

Wow.

[Bernica]

Not going to get into this fight, but IMHO a 385 is a pedestrian lump as somewhat stated above. Sure, it can be spiffed up and made to do incredible numbers, but does not compare to a classic FE.

If we are the next flat-head crowd, so be it.

I'm sure I will get bashed, but that's how I feel..

[Igofastr]

Frankly, nearly anyone who buys a cobra is into "nostalgia".

Tom's right. If you're into performance, the best option (among Ford offerings) is a small block.

That said, for all the reasons that Jason lists, a Chevy LS engine probably makes the most sense; cheaper/plentiful, cheaper aftermarket parts, lighter, and more powerful (and blasphemous in a Cobra, maybe more so than a 385 ).

[Buzz]

A little blasphemy once in a while is good for the soul and serves to move enlightenment and humanity forward - just ask Galileo Galilei.

[lovehamr]

A little blasphemy might be good for the soul but one thing that hasn't been mentioned is resale value compared to engine choices. That price stratification can't be denied and goes something like this:

High value to low value

1. All aluminum stroker FEs
2. Vintage 427 SOs
3. FE 428s and stroked 428s
4. FE 390s and stroked 390s
5. Various stroked SBFs and some Coyotes
6. Stockish SBFs
7. Stockish Coyotes
8.
9.
10.
all others........ anything with a bowtie

There, that aughta stir things up!

[Buzz]

There is iron (and aluminium) in your words.

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9EBYw5VN2E[/ame]

However there are factors such as brand, body shape, build quality, accuracy and paint color that have an equally profound impact on resale value.

[D-CEL]

Easy there Tom,

I did not call you a 385 hater. To be clear, I chastised Pat & Rod as haters
and expressed surprise and disappointment to you, based on your
“385 engines are heavy” statement.
So Tom, I will ask you. What is the actual difference in weight between an Fe and a 385 at similar displacement, built in similar fashion (i.e. iron heads, iron intake, etc. ) and fitted with the same accessories?


The report above shows about 30lbs, (the FE does have an alum intake)

I believe you speak from a very different perspective than most, as your business lives and breaths on the sale of that nostalgia.

for what its worth, I don't hate FE's, but continually hearing the FE faithful spout about their mythical superiority based on opinion is like listening to Evan talk about how "Real" his car is. It is Fe-xhausting.

Jason

[Buzz]

That is really interesting. I found this weight/size comparison chart online and though it shows a much greater weight difference of about 100lbs (390FE vs 460 though), the dimensions are way closer than I have been led to believe.

[DanEC]

That 2 inches additional width and extra 95 lbs is pretty significant in something as small as a Cobra. If you can work it out, more power to you. No doubt the 385 engine series is a potent engine with as much and more ultimate potential than an FE.

[RodKnock]

I remember looking at used Kirkham with a 460 a long time ago. The owner had to significantly clearance the frame to fit the 460. So, I wouldn't ever want to do that to my Kirkham.

The 460 could be lighter, cheaper and make more HP, but it's clearly undesirable to the greater Cobra market and has been since the start of the Cobra replica in the 1980's.

The FE is superior in value and appearance. There's nothing like seeing an FE with a turkey pan in a Cobra. The Cobra is not the latest gotta-have-it iPhone. People purchase Cobras replicas to replicate the Cobra experience and FE's are the clear winner in terms of value to every Cobra owner who installs one. But not every Cobra owner values the FE and that's OK. That's why there are various Cobra manufacturers who install various drivetrains for various types of customers.

Personally, if cost/HP/weight/parts availability were more important to me, then the various LS alternatives from Chevy would be more appealing than a 460.

[Buzz]

What I find hilarious is how much stake people have in what others choose to do with their own lives or Cobra replicas. Its almost as if their sense of self is built on such a fragile foundation that anything presented outside of a narrow scope of beliefs and behaviours robs them of all validation and threatens them to the core. If you treasure FE's fine - buy one or three or five; but why even care when other folks talk about their different strokes?

[patrickt]

When I was trying to scrape together enough dough to buy a CCX in the early 1980's I fully intended on putting a Chevy small block in there. Nowadays, a 385 series is just as appropriate, or inappropriate, as a SOHC. In fact, I saw a 385 last summer that was easily faster, prettier, and more expensive than my FE. In the end, it's all just a game.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by patrickt

When I was trying to scrape together enough dough to buy a CCX in the early 1980's I fully intended on putting a Chevy small block in there. Nowadays, a 385 series is just as appropriate, or inappropriate, as a SOHC. In fact, I saw a 385 last summer that was easily faster, prettier, and more expensive than my FE. In the end, it's all just a game.

Why would we care what you think? You have a non-427, beige Cobra with two roll bars. Geez, you might as well drive around a Nissan Leaf.

[Bernica]

And I own a FIBERGLASS CSX!
Does that make me an outcast too?

[RRRuiz]

You can't go wrong with Brent. He builds quality engines at reasonable prices.

[mdross1]

It never ceases to amaze me how much time or energy some people on these forums spend fretting over which engine to power their Cobra's is best. My God gentlemen we are all adults and should be over this - mine is better than your crap. So many of we enthusiasts have the cars we want and engines powering them because of many reasons. Mine are not important enough to go public and try to convince my fellow enthusiasts they are the only way to go.

For the life of me will never figure out why there always has to be so much bickering or brow beating. We kit car builder/drivers should be enjoying our pride and joys, rubbing elbows and having fun.

When so many that only use their cars occasionally what difference does it make who's can accelerate faster, corner harder, brake better unless truly competing. Everytime I take my car out I know exactly how it is accepted with all the thumbs up and people that want to talk about it. The car has the capacity to make me very nervous at the same time so proud to own. It has stirred my soul since the very first time I laid eyes on one back in the 60's. What more could anybody possibly want?

Okay, I know yours is better than mine, lets line them up. I would really like to know what it must be like with 588 ci ripping one of these beauties down the highway.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by mdross1

Okay, I know yours is better than mine, lets line them up.

... beige gets the first row, please.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by mdross1

It never ceases to amaze me how much time or energy some people on these forums spend fretting over which engine to power their Cobra's is best. My God gentlemen we are all adults and should be over this - mine is better than your crap. So many of we enthusiasts have the cars we want and engines powering them because of many reasons. Mine are not important enough to go public and try to convince my fellow enthusiasts they are the only way to go.

For the life of me will never figure out why there always has to be so much bickering or brow beating. We kit car builder/drivers should be enjoying our pride and joys, rubbing elbows and having fun.

When so many that only use their cars occasionally what difference does it make who's can accelerate faster, corner harder, brake better unless truly competing. Everytime I take my car out I know exactly how it is accepted with all the thumbs up and people that want to talk about it. The car has the capacity to make me very nervous at the same time so proud to own. It has stirred my soul since the very first time I laid eyes on one back in the 60's. What more could anybody possibly want?

Okay, I know yours is better than mine, lets line them up. I would really like to know what it must be like with 588 ci ripping one of these beauties down the highway.

This just in.....

The Internet will be turned off and closed at Noon PST. The public has stopped arguing.

[mdross1]

I know it is a way of life for so many competing with the Jones. I have never understood why and I agree RodKnock, every forum has the same audience. The next time I feel the need to ruffle feathers I'll throw in some knocks then watch for the comebacks.

For those that have the 500+ cu in big blocks 385's or FE's or any others, what is it like to really let them loose. The big block in my car and the way it is geared keeps me on my toes.