[olddog]

Thanks for the dialog. I was thinking along the line that if you figure 5 lb per hp for an average Cobra then an extra 200 lb engine would only require an extra 40 hp to to offset the weight. However I never considered the braking with a lighter car. That was a good point. Yes with more expensive brakes, you could offset that too, but in both accelleration and decelleration wouldn't tire traction limit the heavier car?

Another thing that has bugged me is the transmition, bellhousing, flywheel, and clutch. It isn't engine weight alone. What is the differance between the SB engine trany combination and the BB engine trany combination? I do feel that a blow proof bellhousing is an absolute must in a Cobra. Bigger radiator and more liquid have to make the total weight of the car more as well, but I cannot seem to lay my hands on any hard data on this subject. I understand that there are light weight flywheels out there, so maybe the correct way to ask this is dollar for dollar on the parts, what is the weight differance.

Is it true that with a BB the tail of the tranny is so close to the rear end that you almost have to have IRS or very poor ride and reduced handling with a straight axle? Or is the SB and BB very similar? I would think this would be a consideration, if they are different.