Not Ranked
Gentlemen-
Thanks for your encouraging words. One of my objectives in this purchase is to do an automotive project with my teenage son. So, my plan is for us to build and install the drivetrain ourselves. Buying a crate engine de-scopes the project a little too much for me, so we are planning to buy a short block and build the engine up from that. I'm going to go with a 351 stroker. I'm thinking of around 500hp/500 lb-ft, but may back off a bit if I have to sacrifice reliability and streetability.
Since I have never built an engine before and do not know much about how to select components that work well together, I have been looking for engine builders that will essentially sell me a crate engine as a kit, with only the short block assembled. I have talked to Keith Craft, and they are willing to work that way. They have a great reputation, but they are pretty pricey, and shipping costs will be high. I will be talking to Smeding this week, since Armond recommends them so highly. If they are willing to sell me a kit and the price is reasonable, I will probably go with them, as I know I will get good support from them and Armond. I'm sure we will have many stupid questions.
BTW, I know that I am taking a risk here with doing my own build, since there will be no warranty, and screw-ups can be expensive, but it's one I'm willing to take for the knowledge and satisfaction we'll gain from doing it ourselves.
I am leaning toward a T5 gearbox from Armond, with a short shifter kit. Interesting that two of you recommend the Tremec. Armond kind of talked me out of it, saying that because it is a race transmission, the shift effort is high. I would like to hear more on this. One thing I like about the Tremec is that the shifter can be moved forward.
Also:
Wayne: You haven't seen the car. Armond just got it in on Friday. It was sitting there yesterday just the way he got it. Nothing has been done to it yet. Armond's shop was paradise on Earth yesterday. There were SIXTEEN Cobras in there!
Skipb: I fell in love with those colors the first time I saw them. However, I had slight second thoughts when I saw a total of four Ferrari red cars at Armond's yesterday. That is also a gorgeous color for a Cobra, especially without stripes. I decided to stick with the Prism Red in the end, though. BTW, my real-life name is also Skip. Small world.
UT: I have read some of your tales of woe over the past several months of going through this forum. Glad to see you can keep a positive attitude with all the bad stuff that has happened!
I'll post pics when I have some.
Cheers,
'round Midnight
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