Roush 427R - Any regrets?

[raclaims]

I really like my 427SR but like others had to have the carb replaced and dialed in...

[LIONDOG]

For a lot of you, this thread is probably rehashing stuff you are completely tired of talking about. For me, this stuff is GOLD! Your insights and comments very, very useful as I asses options. Can't thank you all enough for jumping in.

I will likely go check out the 427R I'm thinking about. At the right price, I'll jump. At the same time, there are a lot of other good options out there. But the search is not something I particularly enjoy - driving is. Michigan summers are short, gotta get one...

As for working on high performance carburetor motors....does my 1964 Land Rover Series count? I'm constantly tweaking that thing. Had to drive around town to find a timing light. Kid's behind the counter looking at me all strange. Motor was a ground up high performance rebuild from a custom shop in Valencia CA. Makes a whoopin' 125hp or so. Almost double stock. As for bucking, and other drive ability challenges - it has them all, just at a mush slower pace. ;-)

[madmaxx]

Make no doubt about it you will work on a Cobra, I dont care who you buy it from, how much it cost, who has worked on it before etc. That being said they are painfully simple, just dont assume you will jump in and drive 10K miles without tweaking something. As far as carburation that dog has been killed, you get the correct Roush version holley and you are done, no need to retrofit to anything. KISS - Keep it simple stupid.

The real problem with a cobra is this forumn, you will find you spend as much time here as you do driving your car, there are some entertaining personnalities and always a wealth of information.

If you are not a compentent mechanic, have the ability to do a clutch, water pump etc then have a TRUSTED mechanic look over before you buy.

[LIONDOG]

Madmaxx, looking forward to the tweaking, skinned knuckles, dirty fingernails.

Mechanic? yes, competent? sometimes. ;-)

And you are so right about this forum. Already too many hours and late nights. But soaking stuff up like a sponge.

Fortunately there appear to be a number of semi local Cobra mechanics/experts. Between the forum and local help, I'm feeling up to the challenges.

- LIONDOG

[Hammer65]

Seems to me that to get to 550 HP, the 427 R with a single plane manifold is the choice. As noted at http://www.roushperformance.com/pdfs/427R.pdf. The 427 SR peaks at about 505 HP with a dual plane manifold.

[WardL]

Oh, I don't mean to knock the 427R. I think the one I drove was just in need of a tune-up. I'm sure it would be a great engine in any Cobra!

[ENTDOC]

I have had both engines. A 427R in a SPF Daytona Coupe and a 427SR in a SPF GT40 MK11. I would take the SR hands down over the R. Both of my cars were tuned well and both were very fast and even though the r made more power on the dyno, I could not really tell a difference when driving them. The R hated city traffic but the SR would cruise in all conditions. I would highly advise anyone to take the SR or comparably tuned motor over the high strung R types unless your driving is strictly high speed ( very few of us qualify ). If it is important to tell folks you have over 550hp, then just tell them that, they will not know the difference.

[Jake]

Maybe it depends on the 427R engine. I can tell you that the 427R in car #2047 drives just fine in the city and will tractor around like a very mild 351 with no issues. Even with the Vic Jr which is more of a high rpm manifold then a dual plane, the power is very broad and does not leave me with the thought of needing to change anything. That being said, I know the owner spent well over $1500 for a new carb and dyno tuning. It is one of the best running engines I have ever had a chance to run.

Jake

[WardL]

This is a nice link to the Roush 427R:

http://www.roushperformance.com/pdfs/427R.pdf

You wouldn't happen to have one to the 427SR?

[dcdoug]

You can find them all here:

http://www.roushperformance.com/engines/engines.shtml

[SPF1061]

I have a 427R in SPF1061. I have a dual plane intake and a custom built AED 750HP carb and several hours of dyno time getting it dialed in. "Stock" other than that. City traffic is not my preference, but certainly not a problem. Runs 11:30s in the 1/4. 10mpg on the street, maybe half that on the track. 20,000+ miles. It has been very strong and solid as a rock. No regrets here.

[LIONDOG]

Was lucky enough to be able to take Cobra Craig with me to inspect and test drive the 427R equipped Cobra I am now lined up to buy. What a treat to have Craig along. Learned a lot, and feel very comfortable with the condition of the car and the price I am paying.

So, my impressions of this particular 427R with a dual plane intake? Nice. Well sorted out, and surprisingly easy to drive even just lopping around the seller's neighborhood. A very well behaved motor. I could commute with this motor.

Then, the owner got behind the wheel and demonstrated the capabilities of the engine. I have no idea if the 427R is faster/slower/whatever as compared to any other engine out there, but I can safely say this Cobra was the fastest car I have ever been in. Nuance does not matter - have no idea if the torque/hp curves of the SR or R are better - all I know is the 427R is more car than I will ever need....but, not more than I want ;-) Isn't that why we buy these things?

Thanks all for the tremendous input. I may come to regret not having a BB, but that fully polished Roush 427R sure is a piece of art!

As for sound...pretty impressive. Possibly not as deeply thunderous as a BB, but a very nice sound. Likely a better set of mufflers will change all that.