Engine Selection

[rich grsc]

Agreed, thats just a bit tooooo far.

[Jimmy B]

Plus a couple grand for accessory drive and oil pan.

Jeff

My LS Corvette oil pan was $144 with free shipping and my ICT accessory drive was $252 on Amazon.

[Nickjj]

I also think you need to decide what look you want in the engine bay. I went with a SBF 347 stroker with cobra tin and a Holley Sniper 2 complete EFI system. Being in Canada had the crate engine built by Canadian Crate Engines in Burnaby BC and it was dynoed to 429HP which should plenty enough umph to get the roadster going. A pic of the engine and the basic components of the Holley Sniper 2 setup minus the Holley Hyperspark Distributer which is mounted in the engine already. I will be able to tune my engine from the Holley touch display provided or the Bluetooth app on my iphone. I'm an IT guy and love the tech of this setup. You have many options.

Nick

Engine.jpg IMG_2527.JPG

[Mike.Bray]

I also think you need to decide what look you want in the engine bay. I went with a SBF 347 stroker with cobra tin and a Holley Sniper 2 complete EFI system. Being in Canada had the crate engine built by Canadian Crate Engines in Burnaby BC and it was dynoed to 429HP which should plenty enough umph to get the roadster going. A pic of the engine and the basic components of the Holley Sniper 2 setup minus the Holley Hyperspark Distributer which is mounted in the engine already. I will be able to tune my engine from the Holley touch display provided or the Bluetooth app on my iphone. I'm an IT guy and love the tech of this setup. You have many options.

Nick

Engine.jpg IMG_2527.JPG

That's a nice looking engine!

[Nickjj]

Thanks Mike, This small block gives me lots of room in the engine bay for mounting things like the fuel regulator and all the Holley Sniper components. Something else to consider when choosing an engine for the OP to consider.


Nick

[Mike.Bray]

This small block gives me lots of room in the engine bay

Very true. I've got a 351W based engine that I just reinstalled. The other day I installed the headers and it's a little tight on the DS, at least for this old man. When I look at a Coyote and how tight it is I just cannot imagine getting to things like header bolts. Obviously it can be done but it's probably above my skill level.

[Ted G]

I went with a 427w and I wanted a carb. Starts every single time and I enjoy the tinkering with the carburetor and making my Frankenstein modifications to it. I'm about 520hp and honestly, it's a little dangerous. I've only let two people drive it and they both scared the $hit out of me. I prefer the SBF look but the Coyote is a great option too.

Engine3.jpg
9EngingBay.jpg
Driving in.JPG

[rich grsc]

Very true. I've got a 351W based engine that I just reinstalled. The other day I installed the headers and it's a little tight on the DS, at least for this old man. When I look at a Coyote and how tight it is I just cannot imagine getting to things like header bolts. Obviously it can be done but it's probably above my skill level.

Sure thing Mike.

[Mike.Bray]

[QUOTE=Ted G;569917]I went with a 427w and I wanted a carb. Starts every single time and I enjoy the tinkering with the carburetor and making my Frankenstein modifications to it. [QUOTE]

[rich grsc]

My last carb I tuned with a 5# ball peen hammer. Then I got this.

PJ1..jpg

Guess I'm starting over at the bottom

[Mike.Bray]

My last carb I tuned with a 5# ball peen hammer. Then I got this.

PJ1..jpg

Guess I'm starting over at the bottom

How carb guys see EFI

[rich grsc]

Never going to run Mike, you're missing the gray wire with blue stripe.

[Blitzboy54]

My last carb I tuned with a 5# ball peen hammer. Then I got this.

PJ1..jpg

Guess I'm starting over at the bottom

Is your steering wheel in the center of the car or is that an optical illusion?

[John Ibele]

Is your steering wheel in the center of the car or is that an optical illusion?

I mean, Rich is a big personality but that’s a lot of work to make sure there’s no room for passengers
Reflection of the roll bar?

Meanwhile the OP is long gone … just figured he’d light the “which of your engines is the best one” match, toss it on the fire and walk away…

[Blitzboy54]

Meanwhile the OP is long gone … just figured he’d light the “which of your engines is the best one” match, toss it on the fire and walk away…

I hope so, because that would be a boss move.

[rich grsc]

Clowns the left of me, jokers to the right, here I'm, stuck in the middle with you..

[Nickjj]

Very true. I've got a 351W based engine that I just reinstalled. The other day I installed the headers and it's a little tight on the DS, at least for this old man. When I look at a Coyote and how tight it is I just cannot imagine getting to things like header bolts. Obviously it can be done but it's probably above my skill level.

This is the kind of space I have to get to the header bolts on the driver side with my 347 Stroker SBF. Easy peezy access on both sides.
IMG_2662.JPG

[Avalanche325]

If you want to go down that road then your only options are a 289 SBF or a 427 FE.

Edit, you could also do a 260, forgot about those early ones.

Most of them have 428s.

[Avalanche325]

God forbid anyone makes a joke.

Yeah. So touchy around here lately.
Pssst., Don't mention "race car parts".

[42Bfast]

How carb guys see EFI

That’s not a EFI, it’s obviously a Coyote. I’m still trying to figure out how you got a picture of my engine bay. ��*��

I may need Rich and his hammer to come help, even though it’s not a carburetor. ��

[rich grsc]

I can bring a crowbar down in March.. I'll be at Sebring

[kabacj]

For those of you who have been around these cars for a while. I am looking to build a 427 for my mk5.

My priorities
Ease of use . My wife needs to be able to use the car like any other oem car. (Thats how I got the seal of approval).

It needs to sound right.

I know a weird requirement.

I consider the sound of the car in the same way you think about the sound of a Harley. The sound of a Harley is a significant part of what is.

So a bored out 351 will have a square bore / stroke and some displacement. I think that will help the sound

The other thing is the cam. For some reason they don’t sell cams by how they sound.

Sure I can just get a cam with crazy overlap and it will barely idle but sound like a nasty dragster. That will make my wife mad if it does not start and run easily . I will get in trouble for misleading her again on a car project.


It’s going to be EFI bc it’s gotta be an appliance.


Any suggestions about how I should go about this. How does the Ford Performance boss 427 sound with the factory five headers and exhaust?



How about the blueprint 427 setup ? Does the high power setup sound different than the moderate power 427 they offer?

Before anyone mentions it, Unfortunately individual throttle bodies are out. I have them on my GTM and they just dont work especially well without lots of care and feeding for a car my wife can drive… they do sound incredible though.

[Mike.Bray]

I am looking to build a 427 for my mk5.

My priorities
Ease of use . My wife needs to be able to use the car like any other oem car.

A torque monster 427 engine with a manual transmission in a 2400 lb car is never going to drive drive nice and easy like an OEM car IMO You'll have better luck with a 347

[gbranham]

I'm all for a Boss 427...that's what is in my MkIV. But as Mike said, that's a lot of engine for a 2400# car if you want something close to OEM driving characteristics. Regardless of which engine you put in it, an FFR is never going to give the same driving experience as an OEM vehicle, though. Loud, windy, gotta watch the pipes getting in and out, gotta strap in the harness, etc.

[kabacj]

A torque monster 427 engine with a manual transmission in a 2400 lb car is never going to drive drive nice and easy like an OEM car IMO You'll have better luck with a 347

haha you are right Mike. I should have qualified my statement. It needs to start up and idle reliably like an OEM car does.

I also don't want the surge at low rpm you often get when you have a hot cam.

OEM start and OEM throttle response from 1500 to 3500 rpm are my goals.

[kabacj]

I'm all for a Boss 427...that's what is in my MkIV. But as Mike said, that's a lot of engine for a 2400# car if you want something close to OEM driving characteristics. Regardless of which engine you put in it, an FFR is never going to give the same driving experience as an OEM vehicle, though. Loud, windy, gotta watch the pipes getting in and out, gotta strap in the harness, etc.

she wants to drive a cool car too so all that extra non oem stuff comes with the territory. As long as the car behaves when you treat it right I think she will be happy with it.

does your boss 427 have any bad habits? you know the kind of thing you warn people about before they drive it?

[gbranham]

she wants to drive a cool car too so all that extra non oem stuff comes with the territory. As long as the car behaves when you treat it right I think she will be happy with it.

does your boss 427 have any bad habits? you know the kind of thing you warn people about before they drive it?

I'm not on the road yet, so I can't tell you about bad habits. Many others here have build 427s with EFI, and they don't seem to have bad habits. It's just a ton of engine for such a light car. Gotta be very judicious with the loud pedal.

Greg

[kabacj]

I'm not on the road yet, so I can't tell you about bad habits. Many others here have build 427s with EFI, and they don't seem to have bad habits. It's just a ton of engine for such a light car. Gotta be very judicious with the loud pedal.


Greg

Thanks Greg.

Very helpful.

She will be careful. The carelessness is my department haha.

[Nigel Allen]

Sounds like a job for a Coyote.

[edwardb]

Sounds like a job for a Coyote.

X2. I was going to say the same thing. At the risk of overstaying my Coyote support... After having a couple SBF's, one mild the other (347) not as much, I've found the OE manners of the Coyote builds to make the cars easier to drive. Especially if you don't want to be as aggressive. The Coyote can be as mild or wild as you want and doesn't care either way.

[Brandonk603]

After all of the posts im sure this leaves you no closer to a decision! HA!
Theres a great video of Dave and crew at Factory Five taking engines and their choices. It may not be any more clear after watching but you can hear them run, hear more opinions, and get more excited. I dont think theres a wrong answer and theres always the option to swap it out a few years later with something entirely different.
Good luck!

[gbranham]

Sounds like a job for a Coyote.

Good call! Agreed.

[Mike.Bray]

Sounds like a job for a Coyote.

Except a Coyote purrs like a kitten......

[Jeff Kleiner]

I think you guys with the Coyote recommendations missed the part where Johnny said:

...It needs to sound right.

I know a weird requirement.

I consider the sound of the car in the same way you think about the sound of a Harley. The sound of a Harley is a significant part of what is..

As good as the Coyote is the sound is not really one of it's strong suits in regards to a Cobra. And don't tell me about the silly "Ghost Tune"



Jeff

[OB6]

Except a Coyote purrs like a kitten......

But an LS doesn't

[kabacj]

After all of the posts im sure this leaves you no closer to a decision! HA!
Theres a great video of Dave and crew at Factory Five taking engines and their choices. It may not be any more clear after watching but you can hear them run, hear more opinions, and get more excited. I dont think theres a wrong answer and theres always the option to swap it out a few years later with something entirely different.
Good luck!

Hey Brandon,

yes this video was very helpful.

https://www.youtube.com/live/fpjwKZE...6fbp4VZ&t=1648

as tony says. if you want sound .. there's your ten. haha

[kabacj]

But an LS doesn't

Except a Coyote purrs like a kitten......

X2. I was going to say the same thing. At the risk of overstaying my Coyote support... After having a couple SBF's, one mild the other (347) not as much, I've found the OE manners of the Coyote builds to make the cars easier to drive. Especially if you don't want to be as aggressive. The Coyote can be as mild or wild as you want and doesn't care either way.

everyone supporting the coyote, its really hard to beat the combination of power, efficiency and good manners. At first I wanted an aluminator, but i realized that motor is also great, but not the vibe im going for.

The LS3 also a great motor that can be built to many specifications. My mast motorsports ls3 black label is an unbelievable power plant. I love it.

its a bit weird that I don't want all the refinement that comes along with a modern motor for this car. That's the beauty of these cars. change the heart of the beast and you completely change its character

I think you guys with the Coyote recommendations missed the part where Johnny said:



As good as the Coyote is the sound is not really one of it's strong suits in regards to a Cobra. And don't tell me about the silly "Ghost Tune"



Jeff

its all about the sound !

[dalves]

How would you compare the manners of a 347 with EFI to a coyote? Curious if the lack of manners is mostly due to carb.

[danmas]

everyone supporting the coyote, its really hard to beat the combination of power, efficiency and good manners. At first I wanted an aluminator, but i realized that motor is also great, but not the vibe im going for.

The LS3 also a great motor that can be built to many specifications. My mast motorsports ls3 black label is an unbelievable power plant. I love it.

its a bit weird that I don't want all the refinement that comes along with a modern motor for this car. That's the beauty of these cars. change the heart of the beast and you completely change its character




its all about the sound !

Yes. Yes it is.

https://youtube.com/shorts/6lN38GWJMmo?feature=share

[Mike.Bray]

How would you compare the manners of a 347 with EFI to a coyote? Curious if the lack of manners is mostly due to carb.

I was actually thinking of a 347. Put a Pro Flow 4 on it and you have a very well behaved engine with plenty of torque for these cars but not so much to try and kill you at every stop light. 11:1 compression and the right cam with the FFR exhaust and it's got the sound.