New Keith Craft Engine

[767Jockey]

Originally Posted by BDHE

I would fully agree with this comment. From a bang-for-the-buck standpoint, you can't beat a stroked 385 series motor. My research indicates that a 385 series can be built to deliver impressive HP and torque numbers without being out on the ragged mechanical edge. An FE will typically deliver comparatively lower numbers while costing more.

If you're wanting to field the most authentic cobra you can and still get impressive horsepower and torque, then a stroked aluminum FE from someone like Kieth is the way to go. Assuming, of course, the additional $6000 isn't a show stopper for you.

Our cars are traction limited -- typical cobra power-to-weight ratios are just too high (it makes me smile just to type that). Theories point to the fact that we won't be able to efficiently hook-up anything past 400 HP from a standing start, anyway. Of course, in the road race environment that is the natural habitat for cobras, high numbers become useful again. I'm as guilty as anyone else with regard to wanting a dyno sheet to brag about; but having an aluminum FE from Kieth is something to brag about in itself.

Bottom line -- make your choice based on what you see as the "perfect cobra". There is no "wrong" choice here.

Bryon

To take what Byron says a step further, you get to the point where more power really is just meaningless. The cars just become traction limited. What's left is handling. You make the traction problem worse by putting more weight in the front of the car. For me, I'd take a slight loss in power potential with the aluminum FE, and have less weight in the front for better handling. You may actually go faster with less power in this situation due to weight distribution and it's effect on traction and handling.

As far as the additional cost for the FE, I would guess that he value of the car with the FE over the 385 would probably account for some if not all of the additional cost. When you look at the value of a Cobra, as a general rule they retain their value as a result of the originality. Most Cobras at the high end of the price scale are usually the most original looking ones. Again, not a hard and fast rule, but as a general trend I think that's a fairly correct statement. You can rarely go wrong with an FE in a Cobra.

The 385 series engines are AWESOME engines, and there is nothing wrong with them. Personally I like them a lot. There is no question that you can make more power, more reliably and cheaper with a 385 than a FE. It's hard to argue, however that a large heavy cast iron 385 is a better engine for a Cobra than an aluminum FE. A better engine? perhaps. A better engine for a Cobra? Personally I don't think so. Your thoughts may vary.
Doug