Need thoughts/advice on motor options please

[twobjshelbys]

My Cobra had a Roush 427IR which is the fuel injected version of the SR. I had lots of trouble with the fuel injection system and very nearly reverted to the carb'd version until I found someone that could deal with the Accel system. Roush has since switched to a different DFI system.

I would stay with a carb'd engine unless you need the adaptiveness of the fuel injection for altitude. Once set up the carbs will just be more serviceable.

My assessment of the 427 Cobras is that they all have much more power than you can logically use. They were race cars. My engine always felt like it was "lugging". Transmission was a TKO600. I rarely got it out of 3rd in the city, 4th even on the highway. The engine was just much happier running higher RPMs in lower gears. Otherwise it seemed to be saying "blow the cobwebs out". I say this because if you get too big this effect will be magnified.

The 427IR had 550HP and 500-ish torque. That is more than enough to get you into plenty of trouble and insure that the wheels will not be connected to the road at the most inopportune moments. Tires have a lot to do with it - literally all of them are not advised in low temperatures - both tire temp and pavement temp. You can scoot it out very easily. You just have to learn when it will happen and don't do that.

Frankly, if I were to buy a new Cobra, and I've considered it until my back and eyes say otherwise, it would be for a 289-class car. They have plenty of power, the engine is much happier in normal driving conditions, and if you get the FIA has "the look".