Engine Advise

cal.cheesehead · #1 (**permalink**) 11-10-2007, 07:20 AM

I'm within a couple of months now of placing the order for my kit. Going with a unique 427. The car is not for show. I want it drivable. My wife and I are in our 50's so I don't want to loose my fillings. My first inclanation was a stoked 351w. 400-425 hp. I have gotten input that says I should lean to a 390fe because it sounds and looks more like a 427. Would like to hear opinions. Also have several crate builders in mind. Would be interested in hearing about builders also. Thanks

SPF1061 · #2 (**permalink**) 11-10-2007, 07:30 AM

You'll get plenty of opinions on this one > here's mine. If you want the authentic look and wow factor, nothing beats an FE. If you want something you can drive daily, be very dependable, make plenty of power, be cheap and easy to maintain, get a 351 based stroker. That's my story and I'm stickin' to it.

blykins · #3 (**permalink**) 11-10-2007, 07:41 AM

My vote is an FE for appearance, stroke it, and put a nice mild hydraulic roller cam in it with a good street carb and you would have the best of both worlds, plus more than 400-425hp if you want to play every once in awhile. It would be extremely dependable and streetable.....but with a great amount of torque for cruising downtown.

RACER X #99 · #4 (**permalink**) 11-10-2007, 08:05 AM

Put whatever engine in it that you want, it is not important what others think.
The only Cobras that need specific engines were produced in the sixties and even some of them wound up with Chevy 427's (look it up it's in the registry)

Rickd · #5 (**permalink**) 11-10-2007, 08:46 AM

You might want to talk to a couple of engine builders. Keith Craft does a very good job. A stroked 351 is a great motor and KC builds a lot of these and so does Roush. RD

tcrist · #6 (**permalink**) 11-10-2007, 09:32 AM

You could also try Craig Hill at Top of The Hill Performance Center in Livermore Ca. www.topofthehillpc.com

Rickd · #7 (**permalink**) 11-10-2007, 09:39 AM

Duh, I didn't notice you were in California. Coast High Performance would be worth talking to as well. They do a lot of Ford stroker motors.

Chaplin · #8 (**permalink**) 11-10-2007, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blykins

My vote is an FE for appearance, stroke it, and put a nice mild hydraulic roller cam in it with a good street carb and you would have the best of both worlds, plus more than 400-425hp if you want to play every once in awhile. It would be extremely dependable and streetable.....but with a great amount of torque for cruising downtown.

I agree.

However, Cranky is right, get whatever you want.

Danr55 · #9 (**permalink**) 11-10-2007, 02:13 PM

Talk with Keith Craft.. and think about a stroked 351 Cleveland.. if you can find one.

Manowar · #10 (**permalink**) 11-10-2007, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rickd

You might want to talk to a couple of engine builders. Keith Craft does a very good job. A stroked 351 is a great motor and KC builds a lot of these and so does Roush. RD

...and so do we.

olddog · #11 (**permalink**) 11-11-2007, 02:20 PM

You really need to ask yourself some more questions about what you want.

A rumpity rump rump idle is music to my ears. Do you like it?

A good sounding cam is also a poor low rpm peformance engine. Would it bother you if you had to keep the rpm above 2000 for smooth running? What if she wants to buck and hop and 1400 rpm?

EFI once set up properly has few problems, carbs have many factors that can make driving a PIA. Few know how to properly set up EFI on modified high performance engines, likewise few people know anything about carbs anymore (20 years since Detroit sold one). Pick your poison, but which do you want?