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Engine size?
I'm planning on putting a Cobra in my garage and have been looking at many possibilities. A lot of questions have been answered just by reading all the great threads on this Forum. Many thanks however, I still have several unanswered questions one being about engine size. Maybe a hard one to address without knowing "my" particular driving habits. I like speed and power so.... should I be looking only at 427's and or punched out 351's or do the 302's provide enough power and performance?
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Living in S. Texas... where the summers are brutally hot and almost impossible to cruise a roadster in... I allowed the stories of big block heat to persuade me to go small block (347 Stroker) thinking I would save on a little heat. It didn't work out as planned... and it's the one mistake I regret. The Stroker has the power... more than enough for a 2200 pound car... but it doesn't have that same big block exhaust burble at idle.
I love my car... but if I had to do it all over again... I'd go big block. In fact... I still entertain thoughts of dropping a big block into it at some time in the future. Just my 2 cents. Those S. Texas summers? I kept a '72 Corvette w/ A/C for cruising that time of year BUT... am giving serious thought to selling it... and will learn to adapt summer cruises in the Cobra to early morning and early evening. |
I have a Windsor based Dart iron eagle sportsman block with the bottom end to match. At 525HP, how much HP do you need in a 2200LBS car? It's scary fast!
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By saying you like speed and power, it sounds like a big block is what you're after. For me, the key words were fun, reliable and authentic. So my 289 has a small block and I love it. Depends on what's most important to you personally.
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I have a 408 Windsor in my Coupe and it has more than enough power and I could get a lot more just by changing the exhaust and upping the size of the injectors and fuel pressure. I also have a big block, 428SCJ punched out to 440 and I really like the 408 better. I have raced both types on road courses and I would go with the stroker.
Ron |
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Just my $0.02. |
Just my $.02 also, I agree with Brian (cycleguy55) there's nothing like seeing a big block in S/C or Mk III. (if you go that route) We're just opposite up here in the PNW, we need the heat of a big block ;). I believe you can get "enough HP" out of any engine now-a-days with our cars that weigh 2200-2600 LBS. (BDR Boy), is right. There is nothing else like the sound of a big block idling in, a car show, vintage race pits, etc. But Cobra's turn head's no matter what's under the hood :) Tom.
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Remember - there is no replacement for displacement. OTOH, a turbo, supercharger or nitrous can do wonders. LOL |
thanks for all the good info guy's...
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For me the 289 is perfect!
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I don't ever recall anyone with two or three pounds per HP complain about a compelling need for more power — on the street. I would decide on how much power I wanted / needed and then build for that, with whatever components were necessary.
Be careful about what you ask for / build. The real world experience can be substantially more exciting than the paper you sketched it out on. Ed |
for me, its how the engine revs.
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they are all great
I had a small block with over 400 hp/tq to the rear wheels. It was fast.
I drove a 408 with 530/535 hp/tq to the flywheel. Sounded good and was fast but my small was faster. I have a couple of buddies with 427-482 FE with 620 flywheel hp and 640 tq. They are fast and sound great. I'll see if I can post some videos. turn up the speakers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuOXzUNRB5A https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VxLB5kjF18 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txBXSZ8sph0 and one on my break in stand https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8oeB5qNQVYA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVHeGjPwU7s |
I don't even drive my car that hard anymore, I'm just getting too old... but, regardless of how I drive it, the sound of a big block FE, with a solid flat tappet cam, will be there forever -- even when I'm 100.:cool:
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ront49,
Definitely go with a big block FE. And x2 what Patrick said, solid flat tappet cam. You will not find a more bad ass sounding motor. |
I really appreciate my big FE. Lots of power. The low end torque is like the hand of God even under mild acceleration.
But... The price of admission is up there. And it is thirsty. |
Big Block Sound......nuff sed
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605 c.i.
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I had an ultra-fast 496cui in my 20s, now 30 years later I will choose a 390/427 FE (with rear exhaust)
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