Best engine package for a backdraft?

[blkasp2]

Hi,

What engine package works best in the backdraft. I have been considering the Ford 392 but would love to get something larger. What does everone recommend?

[JayBar]

What are you objectives?

[uncltodd]

What Jay said, narrow it down, Dude.

We are right here.

UT

[Randy Rosenberg]

In which state do you plan to title your Backdraft? In some states, it's an easier process if you use a vintage block.

Have fun,
Randy R...

[Cashburn]

Reg does a nice little 408. The Ford Racing 392 is our current favorite. We just delivered one and will be doing another next week. They are on backorder right now though.

If you are interested in going Roush, the 342R is a fun motor in these ultralights. Have not had the opportunity yet to try their 402 or 427 but they look great on paper.

From a $$$ perspective it is hard to argue with the Ford Racing offerings though.

[DC COBRA]

Can't speak for eveyone, but I would prefer an aluminum block 427 windsor, 600 horsepower and lighter than a 302 and probably would get Keith Craft to build it, now that is a nice engine package.

DON

[letitbe]

I bought #202 from Frank and Reg. They built the car as a spec car and installed the Ford Racing 342 stroker
http://www.fordracingparts.com/parts...tKeyField=7091
with 670 street avenger, MSD Al6 setup.

As far as I can tell I am the only BDR out there with this motor. I love it. It cam with a 7000rpm chip which I changed right away for a 5000 to stay on the safe side for a while. I don't know what the redline is. The car gets that 5000rpms real quick with very little tire spin and is definitely pulling hard all the way. I cant wait to do some 1/4 mile times after I get some more miles and experience. I think its going to suprise a lot of people.

Letitbe

[Excaliber]

BDR in Hawaii (Black, Silver stripe) runs a 342R, throttle body injection. The car IS quick. Our local "Cobra Club" ran a little diddy at the 1/4 mile a couple of times, just playing, nothing serious. Most of the guys had never even been drag racing before.

The BDR ran a couple mid 13 second ET's due to drive learning. BUT the trap speed was 113mph, which shows the car has terrific potential.

[tfarhood]

I built a 342 stroker from a Ford Racing short block. I did the Edelbrock RPM build from there (cam, heads, intake, 600 carb, etc.). My cam is rated at 6500, but it has seen a little north of that by accident once or twice (I don't have a rev limiter ). The chasis dyno documented 332 RWHP and 342 RWTQ. I have a T5 tranny and 3.45 rear end gears. I haven't had it on the 1/4 mile yet, but I know it wouldn't be slow. The 15" BFG's are the weak point for me. As far as liking the set up, I love it. It has all the HP you can really use, although I am getting a little hungrier for more. Just for bragging rights, I would consider a 408 stroker if I were to do it over, but then you are into the scary HP thing. The one thing I love about my car is that 99% of the time I feel in complete control. I drove a Cobra that had 450 RWHP a couple of miles once, and I was scared of losing it the whole time.
There is no "best package" though because everybody has different needs/wants.

[JayBar]

blkasp2
Any feed back?

[trs900]

I've got the 392 Ford crate motor and it's starting to feel a little slow to me.. get as much engine as you can afford, I don't think you will be sorry unless it's going to be your daily driver..

[tryce]

This Works for me...... 427W With 402rwhp.
BF Goodrich G-Force T/A KDs 315/35zr17s Lay a nice slideways patch.

[got snake?]

Buy as much power as you can afford. That is the best advice...
But also go with a good builder. FMS motors are great bang for the buck but with a few mods(Better cam and heads) you could push a lot more power out of them. I built mine for supercharging at a later date.
Sid

[SkipB]

blkasp2,

You have gotten a lot of responses to your question. Any reply or change of thought on your engine?

I have a response too. In a word "horsepower". If you can afford it, buy it. I put a nice 351W in mine. It puts out about 390hp, but I would love about 100 more! If I did it over again, I would put in a 408 or 427 stroker. As long as they will idle without overheating, I would definitely put one in on the second go 'round.

[airvolts]

Just received my BDR # 320 and had a 427 side oiler big block put in with a 4 speed top loader tranny runs and looks awesome! The builder had to put larger fans and radiator in and I have no over heating problems horsepower is somewhere between 585 and 600 haven't had it on the dyno yet.

[BMK]

SkipB

I agree. I have a 351 stroker to 383 about 400hp and yes I've added that 150hp in a bottle - approximately


...just stick it in your boot/trunk




The engine bay with the 351 block - set well back into the firewall.



Bernie

[ront49]

Lots of great opinions and information to use. Like one Forum guy said, what type of driving do you do? I'm a fan of the 351 W based block from Ford Racing. fairly light, strong and time tested. Mine was built by Smedling Racing, originally in CA now in TX. Bored to 418, complete roller/stroker. Dynoed out at approximately 500 hp. WAY more power than the car can handle without putting some slicks on. I believe you would be happy with about any of the 351W based engines.

[FredG]

Go with as much horsepower you can without putting a ton of weight on the front of your car. The stroked engines will accomplish this as will something all aluminum. You will definitely feel the difference in the way the car handles and steers. Especially with manual steering.

[cycleguy55]

Something to keep in mind is that a 425 HP 427W is going to be easier to drive than a 425 HP 347W or even a 425 HP 392W. The larger displacement (for a given peak HP) will fatten the torque curve and make it more enjoyable to drive and easier to live with over a long time, IMO - and that means you may be more inclined to take it out and use it more often.

Just my $0.02.

[eschaider]

You guys did notice that this thread is nearly 15 years old, right???


Ed