FE vs. 385....

[fordracer]

Originality aside, which engine will ultimately make more power??? Given relatively identical sizes,485cu. in. FE and a 499cu. in. 385. I would think that the 385 would outperform the FE just because of the advancements in technology since the FE. But now I thought I saw Blue Thunder is making FE heads.

If this has been done sorry, my search button is on the fritz...

[xlr8or]

apples to oranges. Different bore/stroke ratios, different head and port designs. Even if the bore/stroke were similar you still have a very different port design and runner lengths on the intake.
The 385's are great for making low end torque.

[Naumoff]

The 385's was designed to replace the FEs.
The 385 was developed out of a decade of racing with FEs.
That being said. I don't know the answer to your question.
Anyone running a 429. If I remember right it had a shorter stroke than the 427FE and a larger bore.
I drove a friends 70 Torino Cobra stock 429 auto and 3.25 gears and compared to my 63 1/2 Galaxie with a stock 427FE auto and 3.50 gears it seemed slow. One day he drove my Galaxie to School while I was working on his car and said my car was faster. We never raced them to see which car was faster but I think he was scared.

[flwolfman]

The 385 is a LOT heavier than the FE. Rather have the FE any day! Jim

[fordracer]

I'm just asking a question. I have no experience with either engine, my gut says the FE would walk away from a 385.

[CarsByCarl]

There is no comparison. The 385 is far more versitle and will outperform the FE in every facet, regardless if it's a build for a low rpm torque monster or a 10,000 rpm competition puller. Another consideration is HP/$$$, again the 385 will win every time.

Of course I am just one engine builder, and this is just my opinion, but if you want further evidence take a look at the Engine Masters Challange. 385's are killing the FE's right now.

[Naumoff]

Originally Posted by flwolfman

The 385 is a LOT heavier than the FE. Rather have the FE any day! Jim

I just look this up not to long ago and the 385 is 10lbs lighter than a FE.
I definely would rather have an FE in my 427 Cobra.

CarsbyCarl

Richard Petty said that the Boss 429 was so strong he felt he could run another 500 mile race with the same engine.
I agree with you because of what I stated above. The 429 was design to replace the 427 but didn't get the chance to shine in the 70s due to cu in restrictions in racing in NASCAR
I am interested in what your opinion is on a 385 running endurance racing at high RPM like NASCAR.

[Anthony]

Originally Posted by fordracer

Originality aside, which engine will ultimately make more power??? Given relatively identical sizes,485cu. in. FE and a 499cu. in. 385.

With an engine built to low or medium performance, I would not think there would that much difference, although the larger the engine, the more it needs to breathe, which would favor the 385 generally speaking as it's heads in general flow better. You can get FE heads to flow very good as well, but maybe not to the potential of 385, especially the aftermarket 385 heads. The FE may be best suited for medium displacement engines, 350-450 ci.

For all out competition, the 385 with it's canted valve heads, copied from Big Block Chevy's, is going to out breathe the FE at high rpms.

The FE is a narrower engine, and also a lighter one, that is block weight. A BBC block is also very heavy, like a 385 block.

For a cobra, I think it's not really about all out competition, but what really do you want, a stroked FE or a stroked 385?

Originally Posted by fordracer

. I would think that the 385 would outperform the FE just because of the advancements in technology since the FE. ...

There has also been alot of advancements since the 385 was designed.

[CarsByCarl]

Originally Posted by Naumoff

I just look this up not to long ago and the 385 is 10lbs lighter than a FE.
I definely would rather have an FE in my 427 Cobra.

CarsbyCarl

Richard Petty said that the Boss 429 was so strong he felt he could run another 500 mile race with the same engine.
I agree with you because of what I stated above. The 429 was design to replace the 427 but didn't get the chance to shine in the 70s due to cu in restrictions in racing in NASCAR
I am interested in what your opinion is on a 385 running endurance racing at high RPM like NASCAR.

The 385's are proven to be very durable in endurance applications, and are very popular in marine applications running 3000-5000 rpm all day long. For a more extreme example, Drew Blakeland is known for building 385's that are used in offshore race boats that see a sustained 7000+rpm making 700+hp. Truck pullers will see 9000+rpm for sustained periods and the engines will often last an entire season or more. I also know of some people that run 385's in road racing applications and have been using the same engine for several seasons without problems.

[flwolfman]

Well, I just looked the weights up also. According to the Ford Racing website, the 429 Super Cobra Jet (385) with aluminum heads and intake weighs 665 lbs. According to ERA's website, the FE with aluminum heads and intake weighs 520 lbs.

A lot of guys really like the Ford 460's. That's fine. They can run great. For me, I would rather have an FE in a Cobra replica. But that's just me.

Jim

[CarsByCarl]

Originally Posted by flwolfman

Well, I just looked the weights up also. According to the Ford Racing website, the 429 Super Cobra Jet (385) with aluminum heads and intake weighs 665 lbs. According to ERA's website, the FE with aluminum heads and intake weighs 520 lbs.

A lot of guys really like the Ford 460's. That's fine. They can run great. For me, I would rather have an FE in a Cobra replica. But that's just me.

Jim

I think there must be an error there. My iron headed 385 crate engines with iron water pump and aluminum intake have a shipping weight of ~670 pounds including the crate.

[flwolfman]

Page 57 of their catalog, shipping weight is 670 lbs. That's the 460 super cobra jet, aluminum heads. WWW.fordracingparts.com
Jim

[Naumoff]

Thanks Carl for your response.

Well which one is heavier Aluminum heads,water pump and intake 385 or aluminum heads, water pump and intake FE?

[Excaliber]

Hey, this is Club Cobra, FE's ALWAYS win.

[RACER X #99]

My vote is for the FORD/EDSEL engine . I remember when they first came out in 58 boy did they put a hurtin on those Y block 312's.

[Naumoff]

I found these weights on the internet.

Ford 4.2 V6 488 (161) flexplate and front dress, no A/C
compressor. Shipping wt w/skid

Ford flathead V8 525lb (124) 1932 model, integral b'hsg, iron heads
Ford flathead V8 569lb (1) ('53 239 CID)
Ford Cosworth DFV 353lb (2) (racing engine, DOHC, 3.0L)
Ford 255 Windsor 468lb (4)
Ford 289/302 V8 460lb (168) (late 5.0s are a bit lighter)
Ford 221-302W 460lb (48)
Ford Indy 255 pushrod 360lb (120) all aluminum, 1963
Ford Indy 255 DOHC 400lb (120) 1964, later known as Foyt Coyote V8
Ford 5.0 V8 450lb (109)

Ford BOSS 302 500lb (48)
Ford 351 Cleveland 550lb (48) (includes BOSS and Australian 302-C)
rd 351 Windsor 525lb (48) (168)
Ford 351M-400 575lb (48)
Ford Y block V8 625lb (272-312 CID)
Ford FE big block 650lb (332-428 CID)
Ford FE big block 670lb (1) ('59 352 CID)
Ford FE 625lb (48)
Ford 427 SOHC 680lb (48)

Ford 429-460 720lb (48)

Ford BOSS 429 680lb (iron block, aluminum heads)
Ford BOSS 429 635lb (48)
Ford 4.6 SOHC 530lb (93) iron block, aluminum heads
Ford 4.6 SOHC 473lb (72)
Ford 4.6 SOHC 600lb (168) (Mustang)
Ford 4.6 DOHC 464lb (72) "9 pounds lighter than SOHC"
Ford 4.6 DOHC 437lb (77) without accessories
Ford 4.6 DOHC 521lb (94) aluminum block and heads
Ford 4.6 DOHC 576lb (168) (Mustang)

Ford Triton V10 635lb (128) "dressed"

The (48) is the reference the info came from I will try to find what the source is but I assume that the engines are dressed the same that have the same reference numbers.