Engine Choice

[Poolw]

Big Block /Small Block, all depends on what you want. When you open the hood do you want to just see motor from valve cover to valve cover or do you want to see the headers, plugs, etc. I choose the SB because I save a few pounds, it easier to work on, and I love the way it looks.

[Stentor]

Mark,

Ah, yes....now you're getting to see the varying opinions regarding engine choice. You can weigh all of the comments and make the decision that is right for you.

It's always interesting (and somewhat amusing) to see the differing points of view on what engine's best for a Cobra.

The best engine is the one that's most aligned with your objectives and needs.

Good luck.

Kevin

Originally Posted by Stentor

Mark,

First, congratulations on your decision to get an SPF. They are great cars. I also interacted with Eric (and the folks at Dynamic) when I was considering an SPF. He seems to be a stand-up guy.

Your choice in engine all boils down to personal preference. You will get ten different opinions/points of view from ten different people (there are clearly different camps you'll find on this site when it comes to small block vs. big block).

The 460-based 557 is going to be a bit heavier than the Windsor-based 427 (which at the end of the day, isn't typically a big deal for most people, unless you are going to be doing road racing).

However, the 557 is (on average) likely to produce more torque and hp at lower RPMs. A bored/stroked 460-based engine can be built to be very streetable (e.g., idles/runs fine at lower RPM, suitable for driving on the street in a 4-speed, 2600-pound car). You just need to clearly define for Eric (or whoever your engine builder is) what your objectives for the car are (e.g., primarily street driving, drag racing, road racing).

On the flip side, the 427W motor is very popular in its own right. Typically, this engine is going to be lighter (especially the aluminum block option), and you will get better gas mileage (Although, who really buys/builds a Cobra for gas mileage?).

At the end of the day, the 557 and the 427W are both fine motors.
It's all about your personal preferences, your objectives for the car, and the budget you have for your engine.

Good luck,

Kevin

[SP01715]

I was a big block guy and still love big blocks, but I felt that a radical stroked small block was the way to go for me. I would say to try and drive cars with different motors and see which one you like.

Here is my stroked windsor (434 C.I.) dynoed at Roush at 561 hp and 547 TQ. I have done some tweaking and gone with a different carb and the motor is probably pumping out about 600 hp now. The car is VERY fast and I have a radical cam so it gets plent of looks at idle. The only downside is it likes to above 2000 rpm's which for me is no big deal but it might bother some.

Congrats on the car...

[SP01715]

Originally Posted by Stentor

Mark,

Ah, yes....now you're getting to see the varying opinions regarding engine choice. You can weigh all of the comments and make the decision that is right for you.

It's always interesting (and somewhat amusing) to see the differing points of view on what engine's best for a Cobra.

The best engine is the one that's most aligned with your objectives and needs.

Good luck.

Kevin

Very true...

I was reading through one of my Cobra books the other day and there was a page about the 390 C.I. motor that was used for a very short time during a race (Very fast but not reliable). It made me think how many different motors the originals used as well..

[Todd Spence]

Go with the big block. I have a KC 482 with 3" core side pipes and it sounds awesome. My prior cobra had a 392 crate and I can't tell the difference in driving between the weight difference. I am not on a road course either just finding and good straight and watching the gas gauge drop. Mine has 596 hp and idles at 600 rpm so it's very streetable. Good Luck!