ok you Ford guys

tehan2 · 09-25-2008, 08:17

say you were building a car (a factory five cobra replica) and hadn't decided on a drivetrain yet.

would you do a

5.0 EFI
4.6 modular motor
or
351 w

I know that there are other good choices but these are the three I've narrowed to.

I like the look of the 351w the best, the 5.0 would be easiest (and cheapest) and I know that you can do some awesome mods to the 4.6

what would you do and why? I've had this discussion with guys on cobra forums, but each feel the need to justify what they did in their car.

The car would be a driver, a few 1/4 mile runs, but driving (not quite daily) will be it's job.

YpsiBob · 09-25-2008, 13:33

i would do a 5.0 roller with a t-5, that would be the cheapest and easiest to find parts for, maintenance costs would be very low and they last forever. plus its very easy to make tons of power with a 5.0. i would stay away from modular V8s like the 4.6 because they are physically huge, and parts for them are not as plentiful or cheap as 5.0 parts.

Powder · 09-26-2008, 18:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by YpsiBob

i would do a 5.0 roller with a t-5, that would be the cheapest and easiest to find parts for, maintenance costs would be very low and they last forever. plus its very easy to make tons of power with a 5.0. i would stay away from modular V8s like the 4.6 because they are physically huge, and parts for them are not as plentiful or cheap as 5.0 parts.

+1, but I'd do 351-based stroker for the extra cubes and the size is not much bigger.

2kBlackSleeper · 09-27-2008, 19:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Powder

+1, but I'd do 351-based stroker for the extra cubes and the size is not much bigger.

I 2nd this. Go with a 408ci. It has tons of potential. It has alot stronger block that the 302. Not much more weight. You can still bolt up pretty much any trans you like. My friend and I have talked about this same thing many a time and we always settle on this. Good luck in your quest.

John

S.O.Interceptor · 09-27-2008, 21:01

I'm going to say the 351W also. The block's physical dimensions are only slightly larger than the 302 but will offer much greater torque, horsepower, and durability.

Also, the 351W parts are not much more expensive than the 302. A lot of them such as the heads and cam are the same. If you go with fuel injection the upper intake will be the same from a 5.0 but the lower intake will be different but not much more expensive. I'm not sure of the dimensions of the Cobra but the 351W and 302 headers have the same bolt pattern, the only difference is the 351W headers hang slightly lower to compensate for the taller block. But the 5.0 headers might fit in the smaller Cobra engine bay.

You didn't ask but I'm just going to throw out the fact that I believe you should go with the T56 rather than the T5 if you go with a manual transmission. And since the only real Cobras are the 3 pedal kind...........

A Shelby Cobra is my dream car. Some day I will build my own Cobra too. I'm extremely jealous.

IslandHopper · 09-29-2008, 11:08

If you want to go cheap... the 5.0 would be my recommendation.

If I were doing it though, I'd be willing to spend a little more. I'd take the 4.6 over the 5.0 for my own project... but only if I couldn't make the 5.4 work!!!

Fords 5.4 is certainly more expensive than the 5.0, but it is a phenomenal high-performance engine with tons of (admittedly pricey) aftermarket stuff.
But it's just my personal preference... I like the newer engines.

waktasz · 09-29-2008, 16:09

I'd put a Chevy small block in it

tehan2 · 09-29-2008, 17:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by waktasz

I'd put a Chevy small block in it

a buddy of mine did that with his 33 ford

I asked why and his response was

" I built a ford because I wanted it to look good, I put a SBC because I wanted it to run good and be fast"

GlockBill · 09-29-2008, 19:57

I'd go with the 351W also. 2nd would be the 302.

bnkrtstk · 09-30-2008, 07:04

What are you planning for a fuel system? If you're planning EFI I and have the abiltity and funds I would go with 4.6.

If you're planning on a carburetor, go with the 351W and stroke it.

The 302 could go either way.

GlockBill · 09-30-2008, 08:27

My response assumed he was going with a carburetor. I don't have experience working with EFI, so I would go with a carb. I tend to keep things as simple as I can. I think that someone is making a 4bbl intake manifold for the 4.6, but that may be a bit exotic / cost-prohibitive for what you get.

If he has the skills/knowledge/desire to go with EFI then the 4.6 or 5.4 would be the best bet.

tehan2 · 09-30-2008, 19:37

It's going to be EFI with the 5.0 or the 4.6 but I'll use a Mass Flo system (looks like a carb, works like EFI). The 351 W would be carbed

stetson · 10-03-2008, 17:27

4.6 is a dog unless it's chipped and in a police package.If it was me I like newer motors for electronics and fuel injection.50 lilter would be my choice.I had a 4.6 in a 1998 ford
f150 and it was a dog 14.3 mpg no matter how I babied it.Sold it at 110,000 miles to a private sale hope he had as good luck with it as I did.Just hated under performing motor!
I have 7.3 power stoke chipped that rolls and gets 12mpg when drove hard.When I am good 17.5 !