[DeTomaso] New Engine

[Trevor Fougere]

I've been lurking on here for some time...learning and enjoying.
 
I have a rebuilt Cleveland.  It's blown.  Smashed sparkplug in cylinder 4.
50% compression loss.  Coolant in the oil. Coolant in the exhaust.  The same
cylinder that necessitated a rebuild approx 3-5,000 miles and two owners
ago.  Haven't taken the heads off yet, but I'm expecting more bad news.  I
am 90% decided to replace the engine, and have scoured the mailing list
archives, the net, talked to several owners...all of which has given me a
severe case of information overload, glazed eyes, and marginal breath.
 
My objective is a high performance street car.  I live a mile from the wild
and twisty's of West Marin...go out there all the time.  12mpg or more would
exceed what I'm currently experiencing. My Cleveland has been quoted as
anywhere from an "honest 380" to 430 HP.  No clue on the torque - it feels
in the same range as the HP.  Hasn't been dyno'd to my knowledge. I like
low, loud, nasty and fast.  My life has been one long escapade in keeping my
license. Nuff said.
 
I am looking for feedback either here or directly via e-mail and/or phone
regarding what to put in.  Installation should be as "plug and play" as
possible.  Fully understanding the need for new headers, alternator,
waterpump, carb, etc...depending upon engine choice.
 
At this point I am leaning towards a stroked Windsor.  392 or 427.  430 -
500 HP, comparable ft-lbs of torque. Nornally aspirated. Marginally prettied
up.  I wanna drive this baby, not spend my life hunched over in the engine
bay with a toothbrush chasing some damn bit of greasy shit. No track racing
planned, I may run over to the Wed night drags at Infineon (Sears Point)
once a summer to see what it can do in the quarter.
I aspire to annual treks to Vegas, and 500 mile round trips to visit my kids
in college. Hell, it would be nice to show up in it at the occasional PCNC
meeting as well.  Gotta earn those free dinners!
 
Needless to say there exists a plethora of choices out there. At this point
I'm leaning towards:
 
1 - Smeding Performance - http://www.smedingperformance.com/427windsor.htm
Windsor 427 - 460HP 480 ft-lb ($9,000)
 
2 - Smeding Performance - http://www.smedingperformance.com/392extreme.htm
392 Extreme - 450 HP 460 ft-lb ($8000)
 
3 - Ford Racing -
http://www.fordracingparts.com/crateengine/fiveeightliter.asp M-6007-392 -
430 HP 450 ft-lb ($7800)
 
4 - World Products - http://worldcastings.com/prods_pages/102035.htm -
102046 - 495HP - 486 ft-lb (not sure of $$$)
 
Operating with a budget for Engine and Parts of $10,000. Give or take a few
thousand beers to get this done.            
 
Flame on.  Suggestions, better ideas, expressions of hostility and disgust
are all welcome.
 
I'm particularly interested to hear if anyone has any of these engines...and
what their experience has been with the installation, and life with the
engine afterwards.
 
Keep the dirty side down...I look forward to hearing what you have to
say....
 
Trevor Fougere
#3797
415-722-1755
http://www.fougere.com/pantera