KC-514 Engine 700 HP $10,600 !

[Cobra #42]

jhv48 You are definitely correct, I always amaze the amounts of money, time , and energy, people will spend on a Cobra. And everyone has to have 400+, or more HP. But they will no spend 10 cents to learn how to drive it. Driving A High Performance vehicle is a true joy in life, until you practice and work on your driving skills you are missing what a Cobra is all about. Sure their beautiful to look at and I truly enjoy the people I have met in my Cobra. But in my opinion, there is nothing any sweeter than turning hot laps at your local track.

So find a track and get some quality instruction.

db

[FUNFER2]

What hasn't been directly discussed, is the difference in money.
$6,400

Is it worth the extra money because it's a aluminum FE ?
Like I mentioned, having a Cobra correct engine is great, not only for the owner's bragging rights but also, most looker's of my cobra actually expect a 427 side oiler.

For instance- I was at a show next to a very nice, Superformance cobra. It had the Roush 347, a great motor but, not for me. I had some pick the (trailered) Superformance for the quality of paint. (I drive mine so I have chips) and mine for not only the looks of my engine but, that it's original to the cobra. I would say from the people I talked to, mine won 7 out of 10 times because of the engine. And yes, it felt great !

As light as our cars are, let's say for argument sake, 500 HP is overkill.
700 HP is crazy, unless it's a dedicated drag car but, some of us just like having that much power. Is it useful on the street, no. Traction for even 450HP can be difficult. But again, "more power" is fun. We race 360 winged sprint cars. 650 to 700 HP is normal, in a 1,500 lb car. The Outlaw class is now 900 to 950 in a 1,200 lb car. We can race all season with no mechanical break downs because of the HP we have. The 410 engines are very,......hard on the equipment. They can actually twist the frame so hard that it bends and can break. Guy's are always breaking rear end gears and pinions, drive shaft/torque tube's, axles, four bars and even wheels and ect,.....Because of this, we don't lease a 410 engine anymore for the "Knoxville Nationals". The power is just too hard on our parts & pockets.

My point- Even with the professional sprint drivers like the Woo, why run a engine 50-70k engine that tear's up parts and frames way more that our 360 class ? Because, more power is more fun if, you can handle it. As far as I'm concerned, the outlaws have a lot more power than needed. Even on a tacky track, they can burn up both rears (especially the left rear) in 10 laps. I can't believe how many tries they use in one race. lol wow.
Do they need that much power,......no, not really. Should they run basically the same motor we do and save on parts, engines, tires and money spent ect,.... hum,...? I guess if you have the $$$, go for it.
Power is addictive !!!

So anyway, when you consider the extra dollars for a cool aluminum FE
verses a non-period correct 514, what would you buy ?

I would love to buy the $17,000 FE, (man would I) but, there's a $6,400 difference.
$6,400 !!!

And, to a lot of us, money does matter. Just imagine what you could do with that money saved for something like, electronic Webber style fuel injection !

Gentlemen please, behave when responding.

[DAVID GAGNARD]

I've not heard of anyone doing this. Can you elaborate as to how these guys are put FE heads on a 385 series motor

My mistake (typo), there are using 429 CJ heads or any pre 1973 429 DOVE head.......Used heads out of the junkyard are going for 1000 bucks a pair, just like they come off the motor!!!!!!!!!!!! I know, I've found and sold a couple of sets already.........

Rules state the have to run factory iron blocks or a replacement(Dart,etc.) block, any factory iron head, hydraulic cam only (no rollers or solids), any single carb intake and any single 4V carb.... 460/454/440 engines must run stock stroke crank and no more than .060 overbore.....must pull 12" of vacum at 1000rpms.........you'd be sirprised what there getting out of these motors...............some are turning them 7500rpms........

David

[Ronbo]

The question is why is it being discussed?

Why not discuss the price difference of a iron block FE to an iron 485?

Or the price difference of an aluminum FE and an aluminum 485?

Answer: there's not much difference (price wise)...

As far as aluminum vs. iron, well depends on wether you happen to like understeer.

[RACER X #99]

Originally Posted by Cobra #42

jhv48 You are definitely correct, I always amaze the amounts of money, time , and energy, people will spend on a Cobra. And everyone has to have 400+, or more HP. But they will no spend 10 cents to learn how to drive it. Driving A High Performance vehicle is a true joy in life, until you practice and work on your driving skills you are missing what a Cobra is all about. Sure their beautiful to look at and I truly enjoy the people I have met in my Cobra. But in my opinion, there is nothing any sweeter than turning hot laps at your local track.

So find a track and get some quality instruction.

db

There have been two post to this thread that really matter, yours is one of them. Dave made the other.

RD

[Kzof]

When I was looking for my Cobra, I looked at a beautiful Superformance. The car was really a sight to behold, The owner who was selling didnt miss a trick, Nothing but the best, however it was powered by a a 500+ HP small block. No offense to anyone, but it just didnt "call" my name. It didnt say buy me. Then I looked at a Shelby CSX 4---. Again great looking car with "only" a 390 with only 435HP. Even though Im 100% positive the SP would have been much faster, bought the FE car. Very, very happy with no regrets.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by RACER X #99

There have been two post to this thread that really matter, yours is one of them. Dave made the other.

RD

Nice attitude.

[FUNFER2]

What is the problem with a couple of you ? Are you actually trying to upset me almost to the point of being rude ! It 's a very simple question and you're making this discussion tougher that it needs to be. I don't know how to make my point more straight across ?

It's easy and your making it too hard & harsh. For you two, either take a Valium or please don't reply any longer. I mean no disrespect but, you're just not getting my point where the others are.

One more time- I asked how you can beat KC's 514, with 700 HP for $10,600 vs the FE for $17,000 and much lower HP. I don't care it's it aluminum, make them both aluminum or iron as far as I care.

Decision #1

FE- for $17,000 and 580 HP
514- For $10,600 and 700 HP
Total difference = $6,400 .

Decision #1

Is the FE worth the difference in price ?

Decision #2

Is the difference in price worth having a FE for $6,400 ?

Decision #3

Other than the aluminum being lighter, why is it worth $6,400 more ?


Question #1 For the money, which engine would you buy and why,........ in detail ?

Question #2 Is the choice for you only a FE, and less HP/Torque does not matter ?

Question # 3 Would the 514 with 700 HP and the great price of $10,600 win you over and the originality not be a factor ?

As a note- if anyone can build me a FE with 700 HP, for $10,600 please let me know. That, would really turn my crank ! (like that could happen)

Also, I think my FE sounds awesome so, what does the 514 sound like ?
And, what makes the FE sound so different ? This is my first Ford. Is it like a Big block Chevy vs a Hemi ? (Hemi sounds cool) !


So, let's quit the nick picking, be rational and not make this a augment.
I'm just wanting the pro's and con's of both. Be guy's, ok !

[Anthony]

Originally Posted by FUNFER2

What is the problem with a couple of you ? Are you actually trying to upset me almost to the point of being rude !

I bet they are.

Originally Posted by FUNFER2

One more time- I asked how you can beat KC's 514, with 700 HP for $10,600 vs the FE for $17,000 and much lower HP. I don't care it's it aluminum, make them both aluminum or iron as far as I care.

Decision #1

FE- for $17,000 and 580 HP
514- For $10,600 and 700 HP
Total difference = $6,400 .

Decision #1

Is the FE worth the difference in price ?

Decision #2

Is the difference in price worth having a FE for $6,400 ?

Decision #3

Other than the aluminum being lighter, why is it worth $6,400 more ?
!

Well, just looking at his site quickley, the 514 uses a production block, worth a couple hundred dollars, while the aluminum FE block is about $5000. I would think that makes up alot of the difference.