SBF or BBF?

[freekintoad]

I haven't heard anyone mention 385 series Ford engines.
Ford SVO has some great crate engines that a lot of guys in Michigan
are installing in their cars. I bought a SVO 514 CID[.30 over] approx.521 inches short block, and built it up with trick flow Cobra jet alm. heads, roller rockers,guide plates,Ford Racing cam[244 dur] Branda 8 quart alm. oil pan,
Fast bleed Crane lifters,Weiand alm.water pump, and topped it off with a
48IDF Weber carb set-up. I polished every inch of the engine minus the block.
People in my area wanted ten thousand dollars for a good FE 427 side oiler
short block. To me this kind of money for a simple short block is insane.
I saved better than 8 thousand dollars by going with the 385 series engine.
Please don't tell me that this engine is somehow not a good choice.
It's a big block,It's fast as hell, and it's a FORD...Capice?
freekintoad

[Dwight]

your correct Toad,
the 385 can be rebuild for half the cost of a FE (390 or 428). They are easy to find and make lots of HP. A 460 can easily make 500 horses for two or three thousand dollars. Best horse power buy in a Ford motor.

Dwight

[bulletbrown]

I wonder why alot of small block cars have 427 badges ? Ask the public at any car show and the 1st question I get ask is , what motor is it ?

[hi-tech cobra]

I've had both: a 427 with a 427SO and a 289 FIA car with a 289. Which was better? The 427 was a brute. I took by brother in law for a ride and asked him if he wanted to go fast. He laughed and boasted he had a 66 Vette. So I nailed it. He turned white as a ghost, asked me to stop and walked back to the house. Even though it was fun, I liked the 289. More street-able, better on the track. Don't worry what other people think, they don't write the checks!

My current project is a 427 car. What's going in it? After a long debate, I decided to use the small block parts I had laying around. Specs are, 331 stroker, all forged internals, Z304 heads, T&D shaft rockers, webers. I know it is a big block car, but my goal is to get it on the road and start enjoying it. I don't care if someone gives me $hit about the small block.

The car will ultimately get an aluminum 427. But I will enjoy the car while squirreling away money for it.

[Tony Radford]

I have a small block and 427 badges.

[Naumoff]

Originally Posted by hi-tech cobra

I've had both: a 427 with a 427SO and a 289 FIA car with a 289. Which was better? The 427 was a brute. I took by brother in law for a ride and asked him if he wanted to go fast. He laughed and boasted he had a 66 Vette. So I nailed it. He turned white as a ghost, asked me to stop and walked back to the house. Even though it was fun, I liked the 289. More street-able, better on the track. Don't worry what other people think, they don't write the checks!

My current project is a 427 car. What's going in it? After a long debate, I decided to use the small block parts I had laying around. Specs are, 331 stroker, all forged internals, Z304 heads, T&D shaft rockers, webers. I know it is a big block car, but my goal is to get it on the road and start enjoying it. I don't care if someone gives me $hit about the small block.

The car will ultimately get an aluminum 427. But I will enjoy the car while squirreling away money for it.

AC MK IV. No problem.

[hi-tech cobra]

Originally Posted by Naumoff

AC MK IV. No problem.

Tony,
What do you mean?
John

[ENTDOC]

we all know ultimatly you do what satisfies yourself on these issues, personally, I could give a crap what anyone else does with their car. You can put a hamster wheel in there if that turns your crank, however, the correct motor for a 427 cobra is a 427, and the issues that seem to always be suggested (weight, over heating, leaking) are non issues these days.

[Naumoff]

Originally Posted by hi-tech cobra

Tony,
What do you mean?
John

AutoKraft AC Mark IV

427 body with a small block. Nice car.




Not a 427 Cobra.

[Juggernaut]

Originally Posted by hi-tech cobra

I've had both: a 427 with a 427SO and a 289 FIA car with a 289. Which was better? The 427 was a brute. I took by brother in law for a ride and asked him if he wanted to go fast. He laughed and boasted he had a 66 Vette. So I nailed it. He turned white as a ghost, asked me to stop and walked back to the house. Even though it was fun, I liked the 289. More street-able, better on the track. Don't worry what other people think, they don't write the checks!

My current project is a 427 car. What's going in it? After a long debate, I decided to use the small block parts I had laying around. Specs are, 331 stroker, all forged internals, Z304 heads, T&D shaft rockers, webers. I know it is a big block car, but my goal is to get it on the road and start enjoying it. I don't care if someone gives me $hit about the small block.

The car will ultimately get an aluminum 427. But I will enjoy the car while squirreling away money for it.

I agree.

This is my first Cobra build and all I want is to have a good running, street-able small block. I don't worry about what other people may say or think, I'm building this car to please one person - ME!

If I decide to go with a BBF (which I may in the future), I'll still have a Cobra to drive while saving up money for the big block.

[LT Cobra]

First off I want to thank everyone for all the support they give the millitary, it really does make the job easier and more enjoyable.

I've ran across the proformance unlimited web site, has anyone gotten an engine from them...the prices seem to be reasonable and the parts quality stuff.

[BDR561]

LT Cobra,

Check your PM

[olddog]

I'll give you another perspective as to what you want for an engine. Engines that make a lot of high rpm hp generally do not make good torque at low rpm, and the torque line looks like a drawing of a mountain. Engines that make good low rpm torque generally quit breathing at higher rpm, however they generally have a flat torque line from off idle up to midrange rpms before dropping off like a rock.

fictional engine #1 = low rpm torque monster.
RPM Torque HP
1500 450 129
2000 490 187
2500 500 238
3000 500 286
3500 500 333
4000 500 381
4500 500 428
5000 470 447
5500 430 450
6000 390 446

Fictional engine #2 high rpm hp monster
RPM Torque HP
1500 220 63
2000 250 95
2500 280 133
3000 300 171
3500 310 207
4000 320 244
4500 330 283
5000 340 324
5500 350 367
6000 360 411
6500 370 458
7000 370 493
7500 350 500
8000 320 487

You will note torque monster is all in at 5500 rpm and 450 hp, while hp monster is making 500 hp at 7500 rpm. Even though hp monster is making 50 hp more its peak torque is only 370 ft lb, while torque monster is making 500 ft lb from 2500 to 4500 rpm and doesn't drop off to 370 ft lb until well above its peak hp.

Now if you keep hp monster in the 7000 to 8000 rpm range he will beat the pants off of torque monster every time (assuming proper gearing in both cases). However at 6000 rpm and bellow, torque monster will eat hp monsters lunch. For example at 5000 rpm torque monster is making 447 hp while hp monster is only making 367 hp.

Also torque monster will give you the same torque (throttle responce) at practically any rpm bellow 6000, while hp monster's torque is different at every rpm, making throttle responce so unpredictable it can take the fun out of driving.

So ask yourself, how many rpm do I want to turn and how often will I have it there. Remember, the clutch is mighty close to your legs in these cars!

Paste these two charts into a spread sheet program and graph them. You will be impressed with the results.

[trs900]

Big-small-medium or large put one in and you'll be in charge-may be small keep hood down-may be large makes big sound..use right foot puts power down.. don't open the hood when anyone's around..no one will know for sure till you say it's a SB and I likes it that way.