SBF or BBF?

[LT Cobra]

I'm writing to get peoples opinion/experiences with the different engine setups for a Cobra. I love the sound and power of the big block, but here that they over heat and aren't as reliable as the small block. For whichever I decide I plan on going with a top notch builder, i.e., KC or Smeding etc...So if anyone wants to share the highs and lows of each...I'm all ears.

Jason

Saving for my Cobra as we speak.

[ENTDOC]

the overheating issue for properly built big blocks is nil, that should not be an issue, same for reliability, a well built FE has no more reliablity problems than a windsor. The weight issue is also overblown now that aluminum parts are so common. Cost is a legitimate concern,Fe's cost a lot. Well built small blocks are also great motors, just not in 427 cobras ,only in FIA's.

[ENTDOC]

you cant tell me this motor does not look right at home. ( please ignor the tacky red and blue fittings, they are being replaced by proper ones)

[Bill D]

FE BB all the way

[pgermond]

I concur with the previous posts - If it is not an FIA - BB. Also, if it is a 427 car the resale is much better w/a BB.

[jdog]

A 427 Cobra should have something like this under the hood:



jdog
P.S. Read FST FOX's post:
http://www.clubcobra.com/forums/show...525#post760525

[Barry_R]

You can always identify the small block cars at a Cobra meet.

The hoods are shut!

[jmarsey]

Mine's bigger than yours....

[trs900]

Mines small so I keep the hood down and zippered shut..

[trs900]

The high is 7000 rpm and no overheating here in Florida, the lows well I have to keep the hood down..

[MadDog]

Well it sounds like the small block crowd is a little shy. I'm proud to be the builder and owner of a FFR small block and always have my hood open at shows and cruz meets. Small blocks will rev higher without blowing apart and you get plenty grunt out of them too. My 450hp small block can hold its own on any track or roadcoarse . In these 2400lbs cars you can only plant so much power to the pavement. And it does not sound like a small block.
If you know the race history of the original Cobra it was the small block car that put the Cobra on the map. A big block Cobra never won anything on the track.
MadDog

[LT Cobra]

Dont really plan on putting the car on a road course, mostly just cruising around...and blowing away the occassional import/rice rocket.

[RACER X #99]

If you are just into cruising and Car shows than FE is the only way to go.

The guys who are serious about Open tracking are almost exclusively running small blocks.
Why risk blowing up a big HP expensive Side Oiler ( I already did that) when the small block will get the job done at half the cost.

If your going to run events which are Exclusively Ford everybody will be impressed with your Side Oiler.
If your going to run with GM, Porsche, BMW at track events your SO is going to be a disappointment.

If you are like most, you will be happy with the FE

[Roger Stine]

It depends how you are going to use the car. If it's only to be driven in and out of car shows a visually correct 427 is the only answer. Same goes for vintage racing an original 427 chassis. You haven't spent money unless you have done the latter and these race engines don't lend themselves to street use.

My 427 kit car chassis sees few street miles because I enjoy open track events where I can drive out of turn 9 at 95 mph and try to hit 150 mph with the GT 350s before braking for turn 1. The 7000 rpm small block still has more power than my driving ablility. I always open the hood at Cobra events. Why not?

Roger

[ENTDOC]

Originally Posted by MadDog

Well it sounds like the small block crowd is a little shy. I'm proud to be the builder and owner of a FFR small block and always have my hood open at shows and cruz meets. Small blocks will rev higher without blowing apart and you get plenty grunt out of them too. My 450hp small block can hold its own on any track or roadcoarse . In these 2400lbs cars you can only plant so much power to the pavement. And it does not sound like a small block.
If you know the race history of the original Cobra it was the small block car that put the Cobra on the map. A big block Cobra never won anything on the track.
MadDog

those were 289 FIA cars, not 427 cars , and yes if you have an FIA replica then a small block is the only way to go, if you have 427 replica well... the choice is obvious. Put a chevy in there if you dont care, it will be cheaper and probably outrun either of the Fords

[4pipes]

Originally Posted by ENTDOC

the overheating issue for properly built big blocks is nil, that should not be an issue, same for reliability, a well built FE has no more reliablity problems than a windsor. The weight issue is also overblown now that aluminum parts are so common. Cost is a legitimate concern,Fe's cost a lot. Well built small blocks are also great motors, just not in 427 cobras ,only in FIA's.

I agree, overheating has never been an issue, even 96 degree track days.

[MadDog]

Another point to be made here is how many Cobras had 427 side oilers in them?
Most of them were 428s with 427 valve covers. Even back in the day they were expensive.
What ever engine choice you make the important thing is that you have fun with the car no mater what you use it for. They are a blast to drive.

[RICK LAKE]

LT Cobra Jason alot has to do with the money you have to put into the car. Motors are the crazy side of building a cobra. What you are going to do with the car would help? Cruising, car shows, roadracing, autocross, or girl magnet . I have a BBF in my cobra. All Alum FE motor Built myself for under 15K. A small block all alum would be about 12-13K. Ford came out with the new BOSS block for 302. If you can find a set of westlake heads and webers, you have a rare cobra. 392-427 windsor alot of guys are racing. The parts are cheapier and easier to get that FE ones, and you get more bang for the buck. If power you want, FE motor, came in cobras looks great, Only a SOHC motor out ranks the SO motor in a cobra for YAAAA!!!. If you are going to straight racing all the time, a SBC or BBC would be cheaper to race and easier to get parts for. I am not a fan of bastard cars but some people like GM motors over Ford. You may want to look at Nascar site for used racing parts. Complete motors that are raced you can get for 8-12k. May need a dry sump tank for the motor. You can buy a crate motor with a warrenty for 2 years 24k miles that puts out 500 hp and 450 tork. The options are up to you. I like my FE motor and build another but using a stroker kit with BBC rods. Wieght wise my aluminium FE is only 60 lbs heavier than an small block. Side note that alot of the guys racing like that extra wieght on the front end for keeping the nose down at 120mph. Mine starts to lift at this speed. Rick L.

[fsstnotch]

I too have been asking myself this exact question. Originally I was small block all the way. The car will be used for cruising, shows, picking up the wife, etc. No racing really. When i originally planned the SBF, I figured with no power steering, it'd make the car more driveable on distance runs. Plus, I could drive the car long distances without paying heavily from the wallet on gas. Then things started to change... i was looking in the classifieds in the paper like always, there is a guy selling a 429 w/tranny and a 460 for $400. both would need rebuilds but I think in a 427 cobra.. the BBF looks better because it fills the engine bay so much better.

I dunno... I'm torn.

josh

[patrickt]

The SB versus BB debate has been going on this forum for years. But, if you look back at all the posts you will be hard pressed to find anyone with a big block writing "I sure wish I had gone with a small block." Just food for thought. And BTW, with a properly built FE there are absolutely no down sides whatsoever.