FE Cost ????

[FE Specialties]

Gentlemen,

There are not a lot, but diffenetely a few, very good FE Builders across the nation. Price usually comes from the degree of build, and the longevity that is built into the motor!!
The old addage; How fast do you want to go----How much do you want to spend!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
In todays Engine market with all the new trick blocks, heads, cranks, rods, etc. You can build just about any type FE you want!!
I remember when I got started in FEs back in 1975, we were just winding down on the good availability of 427 and 428 parts. You could buy a set of nos Aluminum Tunnelport heads complete for about $1200. And yes I said Aluminum TP heads. You could find intakes galore, steel cranks, Fuel Injection, etc. etc. But after a few years into the early 80s, the 427 stuff was getting rare and very suspect in quality!! So really, compared to the 70s, and taking inflation into account, You can build a much better FE today, for about the same price!! 1970s a good 390 complete went for about $1800 icncluding intake and carb. Today, that same 390 goes for about $4200. So with infaltion, its really cheaper today!! And you get better quality parts!!!! Gas was 55 cents a gallon for Premium, now its 1.70. So divide 55 into 1.70 you get 3.09. Multiply 1800 times 3.09 you get $5562.

I started my engine building with a guy who used to run a 57 T-Bird with a $427 SOHC(cammer). Wayne Torkelson. He ran 8.90s back in '76 with a cammer on injection with a Lenco. That was damn fast for a doorslammer that weighed 2800lbs for the middle 70's.
Through this association, I was able to get to the top of FE engine building in a matter of a few years, instead of decades. I got out of engine building for about 10 years to raise a family. etc. but back in about 1992 My love for the Venerable FE brought me out of mothballs, and I continued my pursuit for the perfect FE.

As my customer and friend Duane Cooney stated. I Love FEs. I think the good builders are those of us who have a long history with the FE and Fords in general. I cant tell you how many FEs that I have had to ressurrect because a Chevy engine shop built the motor!! How about BB chevy intake in Medium Riser heads!! This lowers the valve tip down .150 and kills the valve train Geometry.

I build Engineered engines!! Not dart board engines. Dart board engines are engines were guys use stuff that worked in other applications, and think that they will work in every application! Definetely not true. You have to build engines to, #1, the car, the application of the car(Road course racing, street driving, everyday street driving, drag, circle track, etc.) There are a ton of variables that have to be considered in order to get the right combination!!#2, you have to build to the driver/owner of the car. What exactly is the driver wanting to accomplish with his or her car. And #3, the price.
There is a lot to consider when trying to find a builder for your Cobra. One thing I think is something to consider is that your engine is the biggest component that will determine how you really enjoy driving the car. I think some get the chassis down pat, and then scimp somewhat on the engine to get everything in under budget!! Dont!! Take a few more months and get the necessary funds together to do it right the first time. You will be much more satisfied with the car no matter who builds the motor!!

Thanks, Tom Lucas FE Specialties