I do chuckle when I see all the talk about "modern" this and that. Time stopped in 1965 for me and the Cobra. Tweaks toward modern are OK, wholesale rush to modern just seems wierd.

Like was said earlier: Small block in a slab side style body, FE in a 427 style Cobra. Were done here! :)

I am told that, on the islands, if you are kind and gentle owner of a 427 car that does not have an FE in it, the Menehunes will come out of the forests and valleys in the dark of night and install one for you. I wonder if they leak?

Ok guys I am done with this thread. I did not say my engine is better than your engine.

Rick the majority of owners do not have aluminum engines, so let’s keep apples to apples. A lighter front end makes for a better balanced car. When I was deciding on an engine I asked myself WHY DO I NEED A BIG BLOCK, if I can do the following
1. Make 600hp and 600 TQ and be street able,
2. Keep the weight off the front of the car
3. Have room to work
4. Keep under hood temps down.
5. Minimal maintenance (other than valve adjustment)

I could care less what engine the original had. Mr. Shelby would have chosen a lighter engine if they would have had the technology. Rick I did not want a car that shifts at 6000 or lower. I like an engine the turns RPM, always have, always will (had a big block 427 Chevy turning 8000, heavy on the juice, my favorite engine, ran for years). My engine makes over 500tq by 3900, 600tq by 4500 and keeps it their until about 5600rpm. Its still over 500TQ at 6800 (Not a bad curve) I am quite aware it will not last as long as a lower rpm engine, but good maintenance and a little common sense will go a long way.

Looks and sound are subjective at best. One mans art is another mans junk. I built the car for me. I like today’s technology incorporated into the car, and it seems like Mr. Shelby himself does as well.

Rick thanks for the comments I have learned a lot on this forum.

Now I am going to write 100 times, DO NOT USE A CONTROVERSIAL TITLE WHEN YOU POST. :CRY:

Reading beteen the lines, it is plainly obvious that you now regret not getting an FE in your Cobra.:p

Parrickt it obvious U are delusional, seek medical treatment immediately!:3DSMILE:

Just be glad you didn't install a 460, then Patrick's delusions would have been worse. Patrick take your medicine.

As for old tech versus new tech, the new aluminum BBF's do use new technology, for instance, the CSX block does have a priority main oil system, but the Pond, Genesis and Pond blocks all have been strengthened and improved over the older FE's. Just saying.

Cheers, guys. I'm off to buy a ZR1 Vette, which I'm going to bring home and fit with an Offy 4 *just because I can*. Do I need a better reason? Nah.
:D :D :D

Uhhhh, just remember that 75% of the world's population does not eat as well as your garbage disposal.:(

We like our SBF never a problem in its power or on track performance..

I've been following this thread for a while, and I just have to comment. Seven years ago my buddy and I debated whether to put a 427 FE in my new SPF 427SC or install a stroked 351W. In the end I opted for a 418W. Now, putting aside what motor you have under your hood, what really matters is how the motor lives up to your own expectations every time you crank on the throttle for your own entertainment. I gotta say I have not been disappointed in the 550 HP that makes my car practically jump off the road bangin' the gears,,,big block OR small block, the thrill is still there.

A contrary view though is that if you built your car not only for your own enjoyment, but for others to enjoy as well, then opening the hood and finding a non-FE in a 427 car is going to disappoint them. Of course, you may still be happy with the performance of the engine, and you might not care that you are disappointing countless numbers of car fans. If that's the case, then a small block in your Cobra is clearly "good enough" for you... but it won't be for others.;)

99.99% of the population cannot tell an FE from an XKE nor is it likely that very many people know that the 427 FE was used in a few hundred original Cobras in the mid 1960's. Whatever floats your boat...

It just takes one kid to rush over to your Cobra at a car show and eagerly look under the hood only to sigh with discontent as he walks away while telling his friends "Naah, it was only a small block." :(

I get the "it's only a small block" and my car is a 289 FIA... and usually by people that pulled up in an 80's "vintage" Tercel.

...most of the time, though, people are pretty thrilled just to see my Cobra.

Yeah, it's cool to see a BBF in a 427 and a SBF in a 289 FIA or slabside, but really, it all comes down to what turns your crank (or blows your skirt up, if you happen to be a chick...).

I am a bit appalled by this thread. Here's a guy that got some impressive numbers out of his engine and he's sharing the fun. It quickly digressed into a comparison of penis sizes (though metaphorically, but clearly...).

Clearly, he doesn't need a BBF. He's thrilled with his engine. Let the guy enjoy it.
DD

I wish the OP well. I don't care what engine he has in his Cobra. We all like different flavors of ice cream and we live in a free country. BUT, the OP titled the thread "Why do I need a big block?" and flaunted his awesome SBF power numbers. This obviously upset a few FE fans, notably Patrick. The OP apologized and the thread should close, we just need Evan (aka Thread Killer) to close it for us. :LOL:

Evan would have to check his manual. Only problem with that is you can't get a manual with a CSX car.... http://www.capitalareacobraclub.com/...ve1/2funny.gif

Don't pick on the CSX owners, the Kirkhams don't have a complete manual either, though they do have a very purty book on Larry Ellison's car.

Why is a manual necessary for complete factory rollers like the CSX, BDR, SPF or Kirkham anyway? I can understand the ERA, but dropping in an engine and tranny in a factory roller seems superfluous to me. Granted I would need the book entitled "Installing Engines and Transmissions For Dummies", but most guys around here are wizard-engineering types.

The same reason that they are available for any other car -- they break. Now granted, compared to any car you can buy today our Cobras are very simple cars, but you still need a manual; it makes things a 1000% easier. Say your tach just up and quits tomorrow and you ask me to fix it. Without a manual that's going to be a PITA first just figuring out the wiring, figuring out if it's the gauge or maybe the MSD box, maybe it's a fuse, ok it's probably the gauge, what do I do to pull the dash, does the steering column have to come out, etc., etc., etc.

First off, the guy got some impressive numbers from his SB. Very cool! 2nd... It's a Live subject. Can't open that can without a few heads Perkin up;)

OMG, you mean all the CSXs are automatics?