So, I'm looking to purchase a new engine. I am looking at a 351W based engine stroked to ~400 cid. I am no engine builder and am looking at a crate engine. I plan on installing mass-air efi. The thing is, as I look at all the crate engie builders out there, I find that pricing is all over the board. Engines from 2 different manufacturers that look about the same on paper can have a price tags that differ by thousands! I want a quality engine, but I don't want to pay more that I have to. Just looking from a little advice... and who better to get it from than a bunch of Mustang Fanatics. Thanks!

 

What car do you want to put this engine in? Newer cars would be a pain in the ***, but fox bodies and back would be fine as long as the engine fits.

 

5.4 supercharged thats in the new shelby with it bored to 6.0 with cam heads and smaller pulley WOW!!! im getting excited. but thats just me

 

Do you really want something in excess of 400 cubes?

I think the best motor if you want to stick with a 302 block (351 Windsor is hard to find parts for and is too big for most applications) I'd go with a 331 stroker which uses a 302 block. It makes great horsepower, has a great rod to stroke ratio, you can rev the **** out of it and it won't blow up, and it has a great torque curve. The 347 is a NO. Don't even go there, they blow up all the time (rods are too short and too much stroke, and bad oil control).

Unless you really want to go big (bigger isn't always better) and are stuck on a 351, the 331 is a great combo and talk about a sleeper. I'm not sure what you're putting this thing in either. If you have clearance for a big-block or something just put a dang 460 in and go nuts. (note Ford trucks have a 460 with EFI if you really wanted something slick)

I'd need more info to steer you any further on this.

 

where to start...

MORE cubes more cubes more cubes if you can afford it. more cubes will ALWAYS make more power with the right air to feed it. if you can afford a 400ci motor and your pockets are deep enough then by all means do it. it will also be more street-able. bigger motors you dont have to have run as aggressive cams, you dont have to rev them as hard to make the same power as a smaller motor.
almost every part that will fit a 302 will fit a 351 so please explain to me how 351 parts are hard to come by. have you picked up a summit or jegs lately??? there everywhere!!

dude please dont even start with the rod ratio bullsh!t its so minimal its ridiculous. (when i get home from work tonight i will post some links i dont have on my girlfriends) there is no reason not to go 347 unless you simply wont to make less power. ive owned a 347 it ran great! i was shifting at 6-6500 untuned; after being tuned the car should have revved closer to 7. if they blow up all of the time its because they were put together improperly.

btw here was my 347 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EaKkILNPOZo

 

I'm planning to put this engine in a Factory Five cobra replica. My thinking is that I want light weight so that means small block instead of big block. I'm not looking for huge power. I just want a relatively light, powerful, reliable engine that is not over stressed. The car will weigh only about 2,300 lb. I figure a 400 hp 400cid windsor block motor should be just what I need. Am I thinking right?

 

if your not looking for huge power why dont you just get a small block ford. cuz later on if you wanted more power you can get some good power out of that. that way you can get the light weight you want. are you going to be doing alot of raceing?

 

I just thought about something but don't have the specs.

...A '94-up DOHC Cobra 4.6 (fully aluminum) motor would look sweet in a factory 5, and have plenty of power. Should be lighter than the 302 but I'm not positive.

 

Or just go with what this guy said but I'm not sure if the 5.4 in the GT is a cast-iron or aluminum block. I know my Lightning was cast-iron but it was sohc. Should be a sweet setup!